Hawk Mother Returns

Awarded the Skipping Stones Book Award for Nature & Ecology Books

“Zoologist, Kara Hagedorn ( Hawk Mother: The Story of a Red-tailed Hawk Who Hatched Chickens ) shares another story of cross-species adoption, in this stunning nonfiction title. "One spring morning, my phone rings. Someone has cut down a tree with a nest containing two red-tailed hawk eggs. ‘Will Sunshine adopt them?' asks the wildlife rehabilitator." And so begins the story of how Sunshine, a red-tailed hawk who has been unable to fly since being shot many years ago, once again becomes a surrogate mother. Told in first person, Hagedorn shares every step in the raising of the chicks. From Sunshine feeding the newly hatched chicks, Bella and Romeo, to teaching them how to hunt. Beautiful, color photos that show the process of Sunshine raising these two chicks, which turn out to be red-shouldered hawks, is very exciting. Over several weeks the chicks grow until one day, Kara decides it is time for them to leave the safety of the aviary. ‘I decide today is the day for them to leave. I take Sunshine out of her aviary so she can watch. Then, heart beating, I open the aviary door.’ Included is an author’s note explaining who Kara is and how she came to adopt Sunshine, more information about hawks, and a glossary. An important book to share when explaining the importance of how to be mindful of nature, and the growth cycle of raptors.”—Nonfiction Detectives

“Hawk Mother (2017) featured Sunshine, a red-tailed hawk injured by hunters and cared for by Hagedorn, who watched the bird adopt two baby chickens and raise them as her own. In this sequel, Hagedorn takes two fertile eggs rescued from a red-shouldered hawk’s nest and places them in Sunshine’s nest. After they hatch, their foster mother cares for them attentively, while Hagedorn avoids contact with them, a precaution that may save their lives after they’re released into the wild. The chicks watch Sunshine intently, following her example and learning survival skills. Initially, they mimic her clucking sounds, but later they will vocalize like other red-shouldered hawks. The story follows the young birds into adulthood when they fly away, but they  occasionally  return. Animal lovers will be captivated by their first sight of a soft, fuzzy light-gray chick standing beside its sibling’s eggs as if waiting for it to hatch. The text offers information within the context of a true story, illustrated with one or more color photos on each page, while additional reflections appear in the back matter.”— Booklist

“K-3 In this nonfiction picture-book sequel to Hawk Mother, red-tailed hawk Sunshine is unable to mate because she was shot, leaving her unable to fly. Coauthor Hagedorn, a zoologist, cares for the bird and brings her two fertile eggs. In clear language, she and Garnsworthy lay out how Sunshine mothers the hawk chicks from a competing hawk species. The book’s dynamic color photography enhances the story. A note about the birds is appended along with more information about hawks and a glossary.”— Horn Book

"A fun memorable read from start to finish, 'Hawk Mother Returns' will prove a welcome and popular addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library wildlife themed picture book collections for children ages 5-9." - Midwest Book Review

“Sunshine the red-tailed hawk cannot fly due to an injury. She is being cared for by a zoologist named Hagedorn, who shares this second, amazing story about Sunshine. This sequel to  Hawk Mother: The Story of a Red-tailed Hawk Who Hatched Chickens  (2017) is a heart-warming story of interspecies adoption. The challenge in this volume is whether Sunshine will care for the egg and the newly hatched chick of a red-shouldered hawk. Red-tailed hawks like Sunshine and red-shouldered hawks are different, competing species. Hagedorn tells the story through evocative text and magnificent, color photographs. Teachers may want to include this book in a unit about birds or conservation. The publisher’s website makes some related activities available for free. The back matter includes additional information about hawks along with some websites. Bold print words in the main body of the text are in the glossary. Children who love animals will be drawn to this moving story.”— Children’s Literature

Praise for Hawk Mother: The Story of a Red-tailed Hawk Who Hatched Chickens

Awarded The Flora Stieglitz Straus Award for Best Nonfiction Book for Children

Named An OutStanding Science Trade Book for Students K-12 by the National Science Teacher's Association (NSTA) and the Children's Book Council

Selected by the Junior Library Guild

“Zoologist Hagedorn tells the story of Sunshine, a red-tailed hawk she adopted after the bird was shot by a hunter and left incapable of surviving in the wild. In plainspoken present-tense narration, Hagedorn details how she has cared for Sunshine over time: 'Every day I help her out into the yard so she can bathe in the rain or stretch her broken wing in the warm sunlight.' After Sunshine constructed nests and laid (unfertilized) eggs for several years, Hagedorn tried placing two fertile chicken eggs in Sunshine’s nest, an experiment that paid off when the hawk accepted the chicks that hatched as her own. Large, close-up photographs show Sunshine caring for the chicks until they are full-grown roosters. A tender story of cross-species relationships—most movingly, perhaps, the one between Sunshine and the author." Ages 5–9.- Publishers Weekly

"In this moving true story, zoologist Hagedorn relates the story of her unusual encounter with a wild red-tailed hawk. Shot down but not killed, the injured raptor is brought to the wildlife center where the white author works. Thus begins a long relationship between an exceptionally patient and caring scientist and a wounded animal. Through dramatic full-page color photographs and straightforward narration, Hagedorn describes how she enabled the hawk, named Sunshine for her happy disposition, to live a life in captivity as naturally as possible. In a large, purpose-built aviary, bird and scientist together construct a nest in which the bird lays two eggs. Although the unfertilized eggs will never hatch, the mother bird faithfully incubates them. This process continues for several years, when Hagedorn tries the experiment of substituting two fertilized chicken's eggs for Sunshine's own eggs. With great excitement, hawk and woman watch the chickens hatch. The bird's maternal instinct wins over her predatory nature, and she feeds and raises the two roosters as if they were her own offspring. Hagedorn concludes by reminding readers that "we can all overcome challenges and adjust to new situations with the help of others!" A well-told personal story with a positive environmental message." (author's note, glossary) (Informational picture book. 6-10)- Kirkus Reviews

“K-Gr 4—”When a bullet forever impairs Sunshine, a beautiful red-tailed hawk, she is cared for in captivity and given a second chance at life. Author and zoologist Hagedorn tells the story of how she adopted this magnificent wild creature, and how she helped Sunshine heal from the terrible injury that eliminated any chance of the hawk surviving in the wild. Though no longer in pain, Sunshine’s life in captivity limits her ability to act on natural instincts, the strongest of which are to nest and nurture young. Hagedorn explains, in accessible language, how she was able to help Sunshine become a surrogate mother to two young chickens. She uses clear language and highlights new terms for readers, who are then able to define those terms using the glossary in the back of the book. VERDICT A softhearted read for young naturalists, or any children interested in animal behavior, recommended for elementary school libraries.”-School Library Journal

"Sunshine, a red-tailed hawk, can no longer fly. Her left wing is broken from a gunshot wound and she can no longer care for herself. She is taken to the vet where she meets Kara, a zoologist, who adopts her and takes care of her. When Sunshine lays two eggs, Kara knows the eggs are infertile and will never hatch into chicks, but Sunshine takes care of them anyway. Then Kara gets the idea to let Sunshine incubate two fertile chicken eggs, she's unsure of how Sunshine will react to the baby chicks when they hatch, because they look and behave differently than baby hawks. But Sunshine surprises everyone when she takes care of the baby chicks as if they were her own. A great story about overcoming challenges and adjusting to new situations."- KidsBookshelf

"Thoroughly 'kid friendly' in organization and presentation, profusely illustrated with full color photography, "Hawk Mother: The Story of a Red-Tailed Hawk Who Hatched Chickens" is very highly recommended for family, elementary school and community library picture book Pets/Wildlife collections."- Midwest Book Review