Honeybird Blue

First-person narration savvily incorporates avian motifs and vocabulary in English and Figueroa’s engrossing account of a family birdwatching expedition. The outing begins pre-dawn as the youth, dubbed Honeybird, and Pop head out from a camper. Venturing down a trail, the brown-skinned pair engage in “EARbirding” as well as endeavor to tick colors off the protagonist’s hand-drawn specimen list, particularly seeking out an elusive blue heron. Onomatopeia punctuates their outing: “I call softy into the wild rice, ‘pish, pish.’ A yellowthroat warbles back, wich-i-ty wich-i-ty wich.” But while the duo spy several other species, Honeybird is disappointed by having not spotted a heron until, as the day winds down, an opportunity for one last checkmark presents itself. An appealing luminosity infuses atmospheric digital paintings for an effect that’s at once soothing and optimistic. This evenhanded, realistic chronicle supportively focuses on specific aspects of engaging with the natural world. A birding glossary and facts conclude. Ages 4–8. (May)