Stinkbird Has a Superpower by Jill Esbaum (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Stinkbird Has a Superpower by Jill Esbaum Danica Ronquillo Esbaum, Jill Stinkbird Has a Superpower; illus. by Bob Shea. Putnam, 2023 [32p] Trade ed. ISBN 9780593529522 $18.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9780593529539 $10.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R* 5-9 yrs Deep in the Amazon rainforest, an Amazonian hoatzin ("You can say it—WHOT-sin. Handsome, aren't I?"), or the stinkbird, cheerfully informs the reader that while they share traits with common birds, like wings, feathers, and a beak, stinkbirds also have a hidden superpower. Before he can reveal what that superpower is exactly, his curious and anxious son constantly interrupts him with questions about what it could be. From there, the father hoatzin takes his son all over the rainforest, sharing stinkbird facts with both the reader and his son: the nickname "Stinkbird'' is due to the bird's poopy smell; they have a loud and beautiful song; and hoatzin chicks' escape from predators by jumping out of their nests and swimming in the river. This comical picture book about the Amazonian hoatzin swoops in to delight readers with funny facts, and Shea's smooth and textural digital illustrations and eye for composition effectively create a child-like stinkbird perspective. Viewers are immersed in predominant shades of green in the tropical habitat, while fiery orange stinkbird dad and his grape-purple son take center stage. The father's educational narration pairs with bantering dialogue in the speech bubbles to portray a loving relationship between father and son. Young animal lovers will look forward to following more of Esbaum and Shea's collaborations in their upcoming animal picture book series. End matter includes an entertaining true and false page about the Amazonian hoatzin from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Copyright © 2023 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois