Hummingbirds have long been a symbol of wisdom and courage. In this charming story, a hummingbird makes a valiant effort to put out a raging fire that threatens her forest home “ trip after trip, her beak is filled each time with just a drop of water. Her efforts show her woodland companions that doing something — anything — is better than doing nothing at all. The hummingbird parable, which originates with the Quechuan people of South America, has become a talisman for environmentalists and activists worldwide committed to making meaningful change. This retelling, enlivened by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas’ fabulous Haida-manga illustrations, is suitable for all ages of would-be activists. Although environmental responsibility often seems like an overwhelming task, The Flight of the Hummingbird shows how easy it is to start and how great the effect could be if everyone just did what they could.
The hummingbird parable, with origins in the Quechuan people of South America and the Haida of the North Pacific, has become a mascot for environmentalists and ecologists. The determined hummingbird does everything she can to put out a raging fire that threatens her forest home. The hummingbird—a symbol of wisdom and courage—demonstrates that doing something, no matter how small, is better than doing nothing at all. Wangari Maathai, the Nobel Peace Prize winner from Kenya who launched the Green Belt Movement, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama embrace the parable.
Yahgulanaas developed a new art genre, Haida Manga. He is an activist for social justice issues on his home islands of Haida Gwaii.
Source: The Association of Book Publishers of BC. BC Books for BC Schools. 2008-2009.
The hummingbird parable, with origins in the Quechuan people of South America and the Haida of the North Pacific, has become a mascot for environmentalists and ecologists. The determined hummingbird does everything she can to put out a raging fire that threatens her forest home. The hummingbird—a symbol of wisdom and courage—demonstrates that doing something, no matter how small, is better than doing nothing at all. Wangari Maathai, the Nobel Peace Prize winner from Kenya who launched the Green Belt Movement, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama embrace the parable.
Yahgulanaas developed a new art genre, Haida Manga. He is an activist for social justice issues on his home islands of Haida Gwaii.
Source: The Association of Book Publishers of BC. Canadian Aboriginal Books for Schools. 2008-2009.