The Far-Flung Adventures of Homer the Hummer [Hardcover]

Cynthia Furlong Reynolds (Author)

Book Description

Sometimes the smallest creatures have the biggest and most extraordinary adventures. Homer, a ruby-throated hummingbird no bigger than your index finger, journeys from the lush, tropical rain forests of Costa Rica to an artist's garden in Michigan. His journey and his life are full of danger, distance, and delightful friendships.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3–Embedded in this fictional account of the migration of a ruby-throated hummingbird is basic information about these tiny birds. Homer's perilous flight takes him from the Costa Rican cloud forest across miles of ocean before he reaches land again. As he flies north, humans help revive him from torpor twice before he reaches an artist's garden. There he encounters Ruby, a female that builds a nest and hatches two young. In September Homer leaves on his journey south. McClung's soft-focus watercolors are varied and appealing; her birds and flowers are expertly rendered. Reynolds walks a fine line between treating Homer as a real bird and as a tiny winged human. She succeeds for the most part, although a bit of anthropomorphism does creep into the text. Kristine O'Connell George's Hummingbird Nest (Harcourt, 2004) documents the author's personal encounter with a hummingbird. Irene Kelly's It's a Hummingbird's Life (Holiday House, 2003) follows the creature's migration from north to south, and Esther Quesada Tyrrell's Hummingbirds: Jewels in the Sky (Random, 1992) offers amazing close-up photographs and more detailed information about other species. Homer is a good introduction to the subject, particularly for students who live in areas where they might observe these birds.–Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 1-3. Homer, the ruby-throated hummingbird, lives in a Costa Rican cloud forest during the winter, but in March he begins his migratory flight to the eastern United States. Along the way, he nearly misses being eaten by a predatory frog, goes into "a deep sleep called torpor" when the temperature drops too low, and becomes trapped in a barn. Eventually Homer reaches his destination, a backyard where he meets his "sweetheart," who has also migrated north. Handsome illustrations, apparently watercolor paintings, depict the hummingbird and his world with precision, grace, and a fine sense of color. Though the narrative is more educational than exciting, and wise adults mediate the two interactions between Homer and children, the book does provide an informative introduction to hummingbirds accompanied by many beautiful illustrations of the birds in different habitats, engaged in a variety of activities. Recommended for larger collections. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Ann Arbor Editions (August 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158726269X
• ISBN-13: 978-1587262692
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #297,683 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful book!, September 27, 2005

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Far-Flung Adventures of Homer the Hummer (Hardcover)

Cynthia Furlong Reynolds, author of The Far-Flung Adventures of Homer the Hummer has accomplished something extremely difficult in the children's book world. She has written a delightful, informative and educational children's book.

And Catherine McClung's illustrations are positively luscious! The pages are so beautiful they could be framed. Children will enjoy looking at the illustrations but adults will be mesmerized by them.

Homer, a ruby-throated hummingbird is a tiny bird (the size of an index finger). The story is Homer's journey from the rain forest of Costa Rica to the Michigan garden of an artist. The journey is filled with adventure, excitement, danger and friendship. But what adds to this special story is that it is packed with interesting information.

Armchair Interviews says: The Far-Flung Adventures of Homer the Hummer is a beautiful book to keep forever.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful picturebook following the adventures of a ruby-throated hummingbird, September 14, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Far-Flung Adventures of Homer the Hummer (Hardcover)

Award-winning journalist Cynthia Reynolds and hummingbird admirer and artist Catherine McClung present The Far- Flung Adventures of Homer the Hummer, a delightful picturebook following the adventures of a ruby-throated hummingbird (no bigger than a person's index finger!) and his long journey from the tropical rain forests of Costa Rica to an artist's garden in Michigan. The moody, expansive color artwork is the perfect complement to the exciting tale, which is based on true stories of hummingbird behavior during their migrations, which can stretch up to 2,500 miles. Highly recommended reading for introducing young people to the bravery and resourcefulness of little feathered friends.

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for hummingbird lovers!, September 17, 2010

By 

John A. Hayes "Nana Hayes" (Chillicothe, IL) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Far-Flung Adventures of Homer the Hummer (Hardcover)

I initially purchased this book for my granddaughters to introduce them to the world of hummingbirds. I have nurtured and encouraged these amazing, little birds to summer in my yard. As a result of years of providing them with a safe haven, I have quite a population of the ruby-throats all summer and through their migration. The granddaughters have spent countless hours on my summer porch observing the "hummers" at the feeders and in their courtship dance. I wanted them to know as much as possible about these amazing birds with a book geared to their level (they are ages 2 and 4. This book was perfect.
I have purchased a second copy to keep at my home for another very special reason. My garden has been chosen to be a banding station for the hummingbirds every August during the start of their migration (I am in Illinois). Those invited to attend get the amazing experience of holding one of these tiny miracles in their hand. The state orinthologist educates them on all sorts of interesting aspects and behavior of the hummingbird. I felt that since this wonderful book taught my granddaughters so much about the hummer, that it would also be a good read for my banding guests next year. I am sure several more will be ordered by them after reading. There is just something so infectious about these little birds! I am even going to Costa Rica in hopes of seeing several varieties of them, and to see their home away from my home.