Super Swifts: The Small Bird with Amazing Powers

Given the RSPB’s highly successful annual Big Garden Birdwatch there is a lot of interest in birds generally, and I’m sure this informative picture book will be well received.

Not only does this book tell the story of how these amazing birds migrate each year but it goes into detail about the unique characteristics of swifts. This publication is well set out with facts and figures given in each spread and in a different font to the main text. I learned so much from every page: ‘Swifts … can cover as much as 500 miles in a day’ (p.11) and ‘Swifts do not land, even to sleep’ (p.12). All our senses are engaged in this beautiful book: ‘Kreeeeech! They cry, as they shoot low overhead, screaming like fireworks’ (p.18).

I found the description of how swifts reproduce with their life partners, and how the couple cares for their young most enlightening. There are text boxes explaining the swift louse flies and the author includes information on hobbies (small falcons). All in all, there is plenty to learn in this attractive picture book.

Congratulations to the illustrator too. The use of colour and the double page spreads of the swifts flying over the Sahara Desert are breathtaking. Both the Note from the Author and the Index are very useful to readers and there are pointers to further resources for the enthusiast.

This title would be a welcome addition to the school, home and public library, and I am sure it would become a favourite book. To read a picture book overflowing with information is indeed very valuable. An adult reading this book with a youngster could help explain and talk about the facts and really make this title come alive. Well done to all the team involved in this publication!