One Dark Bird

April 1, 2019
Starlings and their ability to form the avian phenomenon known as murmurations propel this rhyming counting tale from day into night. The sun shines on an iridescent bird as it surveys its world. Soon its group grows from one to 10, allowing readers to count each starling silhouette. As they fly over a multicultural town, hundreds join their flock to chatter and sing. But when danger appears, the starlings act as one, twisting and turning across a twilight sky until dusk slowly sends them home. Thus begins a quiet countdown, ending with one starling asleep in a moonlit tree. Scanlon's closing stanza, almost identical to the first, brings a deliciously satisfying end to the day. Digitally collaged illustrations, done in a warm color palette, use simplified shapes to playfully symbolize different objects. Close-ups of the starlings' lustrous, rainbowlike colors highlight Preston-Gannon's skillful understanding of the way light reveals itself on a dark form. A brief but thrilling description of starlings and murmurations on the title page may pique older readers' interest while the rhyming text and lush illustrations will hold the attention of all. Perfect for the budding ornithologist's bookshelf. (Picture book. 3-7)

COPYRIGHT(2019) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

July 1, 2019

PreS-Gr 1-One little starling, sitting on a branch, is slowly joined by others until an enormous multitude joins together, filling the sky. Starlings swoop and dive in enthralling unison until danger approaches and they scatter in different directions seeking safety. Starlings are amazing little creatures that delight with their ability to put on a synchronized aerial performance worthy of an awe-inspired crowd. In this counting picture book for young children, readers will observe the comings and goings of ten little starlings and then hundreds more as they gather to form a murmuration, as is eloquently described on the title page of the book. Set in a sun-bathed city with unique hand drawn buildings and colorfully highlighted birds, the artwork in the story engages the reader as much as the rhyming text. Mixed media techniques add interest and deep jewel tones add beauty and warmth. VERDICT A tool to teach both early science and math concepts, this picture book will be useful both in and out of the classroom.-Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DE

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from June 1, 2019
Preschool-G *Starred Review* The dark, iridescent starling is the star of this arresting counting book, where 1 bird perched above a cheerful town is incrementally joined by others, giving children the chance to practice counting 1 through 10. As the day wears on, more and more starlings take to the peachy-blue sky until a hawk appears, uniting the birds in a breathtaking murmuration. To evade the predator, the flock dives and careens as one: Waves like water / dark then light / from down to up / then left to right. Scanlon's well-written rhymes beat in time with the wings of her subjects, whose dramatic movements flow through Preston-Gannon's richly colored illustrations. Mixing digital with hand-drawn techniques, the simplistic town scenes give way to choreographed chaos in a jewel-toned sky. Aqua, teal, tangerine, emerald, and gold all frame the starlings' impressive flight maneuvers, during which they appear as black dots or silhouettes. All these colors also appear in close-ups of the starlings' feathers, rendering each bird a dark avian rainbow. When at last the hawk has gone, the flock begins to disperse, giving readers the chance to count backwards this time, from 10 to 1, as the last starling perches in a tree, its beak tucked in sleep beneath its wing. This book goes beyond counting, showing children how wondrous ordinary can be.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)