(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney & Brian Pinkney. When a brush fire begins raging, the animals flee to the river for safety—except for one determined hummingbird. The tiny bird carries drops of water in her beak, releasing them on the flames. The other animals view her efforts as futile until a wise elephant, moved by her persistence, asks why she bothers. “I am do-ing what I can,” the hummingbird says. The elephant responds, “Then I will do what I can.” One by one, the animals follow her example, coming together to fight the fire. Alper’s lyrical text, inspired by a parable shared by environmentalist Wangari Maathai, emphasizes the power of small actions leading to collective change. According to an illustrator’s note, Jerry Pinkney’s sketches for this, his final work, were lovingly completed by his son Brian Pinkney, whose painstaking “paint strokes and brush lines brought [his] father’s work to life.” The collaboration creates a visual experience that feels fresh. One aerial-view spread shows a host of animals—including giraffes, hippos, chimpanzees, elephants, and crocodiles—­joining forces, offering a stirring depiction of resilience and teamwork. The contrast between the hot orange tones of the fire and the river’s cool blues heightens the book’s emotional impact. A stirring tale of courage, unity, and environmental stewardship

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2025