A SKY THAT SINGS

Feeling the sunshine and spring air, Mia can tell it’s “a perfect afternoon for bird-listening” in the park with Tía. To Mia, the sky is “the place where the music lives,” and each bird sings a distinct song. Some birds say their names, like the blue jay or chickadee. Nuthatches “honk like traffic”: “Ank ank ink ank onk onk.” And the chipping sparrow sounds just like Tía’s sewing machine! But Mia’s keeping an ear out for “the special call I want to hear,” even though it’s getting dark. At last, atop a hill, Mia hears the “Screeeeeeeee” of a red-tailed hawk. And as Mia’s favorite bird soars majestically above, “just for a minute I fly with it.” As Mia and Tía depart, cooing mourning doves sing a lullaby, and Mia leaves readers with some parting words: “Can you hear them? Listen!” Through Mia’s cheerful narration, readers will also learn how blind people use their senses to navigate and glean information about their surroundings, as when Mia’s white cane registers a log on the path before Tía points it out or when the smell of mud indicates a nearby pond. Mendoza’s bright, warm-hued cartoon illustrations clearly depict each bird and sweetly convey Mia and Tía’s loving bond. Backmatter includes a glossary of birds and their calls. Mia and Tía have tan skin and are cued Latine.

Mar 18, 2025 - 07:35

Feeling the sunshine and spring air, Mia can tell it’s “a perfect afternoon for bird-listening” in the park with Tía. To Mia, the sky is “the place where the music lives,” and each bird sings a distinct song. Some birds say their names, like the blue jay or chickadee. Nuthatches “honk like traffic”: “Ank ank ink ank onk onk.” And the chipping sparrow sounds just like Tía’s sewing machine! But Mia’s keeping an ear out for “the special call I want to hear,” even though it’s getting dark. At last, atop a hill, Mia hears the “Screeeeeeeee” of a red-tailed hawk. And as Mia’s favorite bird soars majestically above, “just for a minute I fly with it.” As Mia and Tía depart, cooing mourning doves sing a lullaby, and Mia leaves readers with some parting words: “Can you hear them? Listen!” Through Mia’s cheerful narration, readers will also learn how blind people use their senses to navigate and glean information about their surroundings, as when Mia’s white cane registers a log on the path before Tía points it out or when the smell of mud indicates a nearby pond. Mendoza’s bright, warm-hued cartoon illustrations clearly depict each bird and sweetly convey Mia and Tía’s loving bond. Backmatter includes a glossary of birds and their calls. Mia and Tía have tan skin and are cued Latine.