FLUTE'S JOURNEY

When the snow flies, thousands of birds migrate south to avoid the icy temperatures and shortage of food. With canny understatement that gives the story its power, Cherry traces one wood thrush's flight from Maryland to Costa Rica, and back again. The trip is filled with risks, both natural and manmade. Flute must battle natural foes like cats and harsh weather along both legs of his journey. Forests where he once took refuge have become suburban sprawls, and lawn chemicals taint insects Flute eats, making him ill. Later when Flute meets his mate, a bird called Feather, they end up unknowingly raising a cowbird (its mother sneakily lays her egg in their nest), and lose one of their own babies. Cherry documents nature as it is today, without idealizing or fictionalizing the struggles of bird life. The story provides crucial, copiously-researched natural information for readers, backed up by an author's note. Bright, realistic illustrations give the book a picture-book look, but include plenty of detail, particularly in the lush rainforest settings where Flute holes up until spring. (Picture book. 6-9)