“A stub-tailed, cigar-shaped bird streaks across the Texas spring sky.” A nonfiction narrative follows a family of chimney swifts from the time the adults mate in the spring to the point when they and their offspring are ready to fly south in the fall. The engaging text describes the activities of the chimney swifts, which are also shown in the digital watercolor illustrations. But a parallel story plays out only visually, as the multiracial family living in the house where the swifts have nested (mother, father, young girl) prepare for and welcome the arrival of a new baby. More about chimney swifts is provided in a note at volume’s end. (Ages 5–8)

Succinct and factual text follows chimney swifts as they arrive on a Texas farm, build their nest, lay eggs, ready for fledglings to take flight, and eventually prepare to migrate back to South America. In a parallel, wordless story, a mom, dad, and young girl on the farm watch the chimney swifts throughout the summer and fall, even as they build a new crib and ready for the new baby they're expecting. As they enjoy their baby's first months, they also celebrate the fledglings' first flight and bid the birds good-bye until next year.

Nicole Gsell's soft illustrations follow the tales of both families—bird and human—from each unique perspective.

A beautiful addition to bird lovers' collections, as well as classrooms and libraries.