March 1, 2024
Pride nearly leads to a fall for a standoffish starling. The other starlings fly in a huge flock, because "together is warmer and safer than alone." But Star prefers to show off his dark, glossy feathers and refuses to join them. As he flits about branches and rooftops in lonely splendor, though, he catches the eye of a hawk and is saved only at the last minute when his desperate cries draw the others back; along with Star, they shape themselves into a giant raptor that frightens the predator away. Afterward, Star notices that his feathers (somehow) have new speckles that look just like a great flock. As Parrack concludes, from that day on, starlings have always born similar speckles as a "reminder that together is warmer and safer than alone." It's never made clear just how Star got the speckles, and many readers may wonder. The author closes this rather contrived tale with photos of starling murmurations and speculations about what purposes they might actually serve (since deliberately making shapes is not one of the options), along with more information about starlings. Boffa contributes ordinary, flat-perspective views of geometric houses, generic trees, and swirling masses of silhouetted birds that switch from gray to red to various other colors. An unexceptional story, with pictures to match. (Picture book. 6-8)
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May 3, 2024
PreS-Gr 3-Star, an exceptionally beautiful starling, is proud of his shining feathers and bright colors. But his song, although distinct, is not beautiful. When evening comes and his many friends take to the skies, Star declines to join them fearing that his beauty will be lost in a crowd. When Hawk, looking for his dinner, spots Star's shining coat glinting in the setting sun there is nowhere to hide. But his croaking call for help is heard by his multitude of friends and they form frightening murmurations in the sky. The giant bird they create frightens even Hawk and he flies off. Star joins his flock realizing that safety is found among friends. But he has changed-exchanging his colors for small white specks resembling birds in flight. Combining science with exciting storytelling and lovely watercolor illustrations, this modern fable is well-suited for early nature and science lessons. The back matter includes interesting information for further discussion. VERDICT This modern fable that combines science with storytelling will find a home complementing early nature and science instruction.-Eva Elisabeth VonAncken
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
January 1, 2024
Star the starling likes to show off his glossy feathers by himself, but he learns the benefits of flying together with others. The text posits the bird grows "white speckles that look like lines of tiny flying birds" on his belly as a reminder of strength in numbers. This original fable is told with a storyteller's soothing cadence, and the soft-hued digital mixed-media illustrations with bold black details highlight the beauty of starling murmurations. Back matter gives additional information about these birds.
(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)