The Littlest Drop is a story that was inspired by a parable from the indigenous Quechua people of South America, but was famously told by African Environmentalist and Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Wangari Maathai. In the story, a hummingbird is weaving a nest in the trees, getting ready to lay her eggs, when a fire breaks out in the forest below. It grows and grows, and the African animals all around panic and run to the riverbank to be safe. The hummingbird also goes to the river and takes a mouthful of water in her beak, then flies towards the fire and squirts at the fire to try and put it out.

The animals are bewildered by the hummingbird’s behavior. The elephant asks her, “Hummingbird, what are you doing? You cannot put out that terrible fire You are just a small bird.” and the hummingbird says, “I am doing what I can.”  And then, one by one, the animals move forward. “Then I will do what I can.” They go back and forth, and back and forth until they are exhausted. And then finally, the fire dies down. The hummingbird lets one last drop fall, and the fire goes out completely. The animals’ homes are safe and they all worked together to make it happen. The hummingbird and her tireless action is a beautiful little beacon of hope.

This is an inspiring story, but it’s also extraordinary in the way it was created. The book is physically large, with big colorful spreads on each page. Beloved author and illustrator, Jerry Pinkney started the black and white sketches for this book before he died in 2021. His son, Brian Pinkney, with his own award-winning, unique style, finished the sketches and completed the book’s illustrations in entirety . The illustration collaboration between legendary father and son, and powerful storytelling from Sascha Alper, makes this a five-star picture book. Ages 3-7

Nominated for Cream of the Crop

Reviewed by Gia Charles, Patten Free Library, Bath