The Little Hummingbird by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas

The hummingbird parable, with origins in the Quechuan people of South America, 

has become a talisman for environmentalists and activists who are committed to making meaningful change in the world. In this inspiring story, the determined hummingbird does everything she can to put out a raging fire that threatens her forest home. 

The hummingbird—symbol of wisdom and courage—

demonstrates that doing something is better than doing nothing at all.

"Here is the story of the great forest that caught on fire. The terrible fire raged and burned. All of the animals were afraid and fled from their homes. The elephant and the tiger ran. The beaver scurried and the frog leapt away. Above them the birds flew in a panic. The creatures huddled at the edge of the forest and watched. All except one."

The one is the little hummingbird. She picks up water, one drop at a time, and flies back and forth to the fire. One drop at a time. The other animals watch on convinced there is nothing they can do. The hummingbird tells them:

"I am doing what I can."

The after word for The Little Hummingbird is by Wangari Maathai - here are two books for children about her work:

The Little Hummingbird is a revised edition of a previous title: the award-winning Flight of the Hummingbird (2008) which had 64 pages (see the image at the bottom of this post). You can watch a two-minute animation of the story here. Do watch this it is fantastic. 

Bookseller blurb: This inspiring children's book is based on a South American indigenous story about a courageous hummingbird who defies fear and expectations in her attempt to save the forest from fire. The illustrated story is supplemented by a natural and cultural history of hummingbirds, as well as an inspiring message from Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai. The evocative artwork by internationally renowned Haida artist Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas complements this optimistic tale that encourages everyone to take responsibility for their home and the planet.

I said this very recently - even if I live a hundred more lifetimes I will never reach the end of new and old book discoveries especially those that reside in the library where I work as a volunteer. The Little Hummingbird seems like a fairly obscure book - published in Canada in 2010 and based on an indigenous folktale from South America. Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas is a Canadian visual artist with a very distinct style called Haida Manga. I am so pleased to have discovered this book but at the same time it reinforces my thought that there are SO many other fabulous books 'out there' that I may never discover. New copies of The Little Hummingbird do seem to still be available from several online sellers. 

Here is an example of the art style found in The Little Hummingbird:

“Haida manga,” a somewhat incongruous term, describes a hybrid form of visual expression where the artist not only celebrates Haida cultural memory and merges it with Asian brush techniques, but also engages with the challenges facing all modern societies: conflict, war, the impact of human activity on the environment, climate change and intercultural relations. Yahgulanaas brings to manga a visual and stylistic technique belonging to the cultures of the Pacific Northwest coast: the formline, or figurative line. The formline is a winding line painted in black that swells and contracts, outlining the contours of the picture’s subject. Read more here.

Here is a simpler explanation: Haida manga is a cool and unique art style that mixes traditional art from the Haida people with modern Japanese manga comics. It's like a blend of old and new, bringing together amazing stories and designs from the North Pacific region with the exciting look of Japanese comics. Haida manga has become popular in many countries, including Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, Macao, France, and Canada.

This story has also been performed as an opera in Vancouver - perhaps that is how the Teacher-Librarian in the school in Sydney, Australia discovered this book? Here is the original version:

The Theory of Hummingbirds by Michelle Kadarusman

"I'm sick of having to feel lucky and patient. I just want to feel NORMAL. I don't want to limp. I want to stop being different. And I want to be in the stupid race!"

Alba has been born with a club foot. She is in fourth grade and has endured many surgeries and years of pain. The final surgery is now completed and Alba is about to see her repaired foot for the first time. Alba watches the other girls, especially Miranda Gray. She longs to be as popular and carefree and beautiful as Miranda. Alba has a really good friend. A boy called Levi. He has serious asthma issues and so these friends spend their lunch periods inside the school because Alba feels she cannot play the games enjoyed by the others and Levi because he needs to take care in case he has a serious asthma attack.

Being inside Levi and Alba witness a mystery. Their librarian seems to disappear each day at lunch time. Her office lights are off and the room is empty and then she seems to suddenly appear out of nowhere. Levi is convinced Ms Sharma has discovered a wormhole.

Both Levi and Alba love birds. They have completed a class research assignment on hummingbirds. Alba can see lots of parallels between her own experiences and the life of the hummingbird. 

We meet, very briefly, a very interesting character in this story called Abigail. She offers beautiful heartfelt wisdom to Alba. I do hope Michelle Kadarusman has plans to tell us more about Abigail. The relationship between Alba and her doctor is also very special and there is a hint of a love story between doctor Schofield and Alba's mum.

As is the way with all relationships Alba and Levi have a serious "falling out". Days go by until Alba discovers a note in her room. Someone has sent her a very special story - a legend about the hummingbird - and this story gives her the courage to chase her dream and apologise to her precious friend.

I've seen this book praised on several book lists but I confess I was confused. I seem to have read a few books lately which feature hummingbirds such as The Secret Library of Hummingbird House.  

This book has such a sweet ending. I think it will be enjoyed by readers aged 9+. The cover of the Australian edition of The Theory of Hummingbirds is by Tasmanian illustrator Julie Hunt. I found some other cover designs for The Theory of Hummingbirds.

Here is an interview with Michelle Kadarusman where she shares some hints for writers. And in this interview Michelle talks with Joy Lawn at Paperbark Words. Michelle grew up in Melbourne, lived in Indonesia and she now calls Toronto Canada her home. In this video Megan Daley talks about The Theory of Humming birds and reads the blurb.

Megan Daley: "This is an own voices story."  "It has a real authenticity ... the authenticity and the lightness of this book were the strengths." "An exploration of a really beautiful friendship."

A quick, sweet read. Kirkus

One part of this book that made me smile came when Michelle shared some library wisdom. Naturally I love stories with kind and special teacher-librarians like Ms Sharma:

"Is there a better place to be than two pages into a good book."

"Today's Science Fiction is tomorrow's science fact."