• The Wondrous Story of Hugo and Matilda

      In this visual and interactive diary, Hugo and Matilda, two adorable hummingbirds are coached by their mother to become pilots of their own lives.

      Featuring stunning photography, it documents their development from egg to fledgling. The narrative, both witty and optimistic, playfully imagines their inner world and relationships to one another and their Mommy as a hummingbird family.

      In the end, how much courage is needed to fly like the BIG BIRD?

       

      © All Rights Reserved, 2021 & Yonder

    • THE STORY

      "Once upon a time, a hummingbird mommy named Ms. Honey built a nest on a solid branch of a bottle-brush bush in Phoenix, Arizona. Once she was done, it seemed spacious enough for her two babies who would soon arrive. Her nest had a small kitchen, nursery, living room with a flat screen TV, and Wi-Fi connection. The big window notably pointed North to avoid direct sunlight as it can get very hot in Arizona." - This is how the wondrous story begins.

      As Hugo and Matilda grew from hummingbird babies to toddlers to pilots, we became obsessed with documenting their magical journey through photography.

      After looking at the pictures and discovering the story they told, it was only a matter of time before we decided to turn them into a children's book. We included a question section at the end of the story like "How do hummingbirds talk to each other?" for children and parents to observe and research hummingbirds together.

      In addition to learning more about the bird species, we also encourage children and their parents to add their own imagination to the narrative, answering questions like "What is their favorite show on TV?"

      We would LOVE for readers to share their sightings of Hugo and Matilda (and other hummies) with us. Feel free to explore this website and consider purchasing The Wondrous Story of Hugo and Matilda for your young readers and nature adventurers!

       

      TESTIMONIALS

       
      "The authors introduce tiny readers to tiny hummingbirds with colorful photos and daily routines of Ms. Honey and her nestlings Hugo and Matilda. The creative storyline draws parallels to human lives, holding the attention of kids as they learn about bird biology."
      Susan Sferra, Wildlife Biologist
       
      "This little book is a visual feast -- getting right in the tiny nest with two baby hummingbirds, and the whimsical text made my husband laugh out loud. He said he could just hear our grand-nephew convincing his brother what was true and what wasn't. We really enjoyed it."
      Kathy Kramer-Howe, Author & Poet LAKE MATTAWA 2020
       

      © All Rights Reserved, 2021 & Yonder

    • PICTURE GALLERY

      © All Rights Reserved 2021 & Yonder

    • 2021 FOCUS GROUP

      The first Hugo & Matilda hummingbird Focus Group was conducted in April 2021

      with 7-year old English Language Learner students at Palomino Primary School in Phoenix, Arizona.

      　Aimee Gerkin, their teacher, comments:

      "The story was a huge hit! We read it today in honor of Earth Day"

      See images below for the student reflections of what they learned.

       

      © All Rights Reserved 2021 & Yonder

      "I learned that the eggs are as small as a jellybean."

      "What I learned is the hummingbirds watch TV and drink nectar."

      "I learned that hummingbirds fly and have long beaks."

      "I learned that hummingbirds teach their kids how to fly."

    • 2022 FOCUS GROUP

      The second Hugo & Matilda hummingbird Focus Group was conducted in April 2022

      with another group of first & second grade students at Palomino Primary School in Phoenix, Arizona.

      See images below for the student reflections of what they learned.

       

      © All Rights Reserved 2022 & Yonder

      "Huming Birds are shaped as a jelly Ben. the the Huming Birds can fly Back werds. and Huming Birds eat spiters and musketos and Bugs."

      "I l(ea)rn the birds a(re) Hammingbirds lay eggs."

      "I lear(n) how to fly is that my Momy."

      "Humming Birds laey egg(s)."

    • THE AUTHORS

      Having recently sent our one and only baby bird, our daughter Helena, off to college we were just becoming comfortable with being “empty nesters” when the coronavirus pandemic returned her to the nest for an unexpected 10 months. 

      By navigating the impact of the pandemic on our life as a family, we are learning to find better descriptors of ourselves. 

      Helena (she/her) is a filmmaker, musician, and cultivator of joy who values creativity, community, and the Oxford comma.

      Geneva (she/her) is a seeker of delight who revels in sharing discoveries with others. 

      Bernd (he/him) is a storyteller with a penchant for taking unexpected photos. 

      We call Phoenix, Arizona home.

    • TRANSLATIONS

      The Wondrous Story of Hugo and Matilda in other languages!

      English, German, Spanish, Turkish, Filipino, Swedish, Hindi, Norwegian, Finnish,

      and French translations are done.

      Polish, Afrikaans, Italian, Danish, Russian, and Scottish Gaelic versions will likely be next.

      A HUGE THANK YOU to all native speakers who assisted with these translations.

      THE WONDROUS STORY OF HUGO AND MATILDA

      Told by the Häber Family

      © All Rights Reserved, 2021

      DIE WUNDERSAME GESCHICHTE VON HUGO UND MATILDA

      Übersetzt von Bernd Häber

      © Alle Rechte Vorbehalten, 2021

      LA MARAVILLOSA HISTORIA DE HUGO Y MATILDA

      Traducido por Ana Varela

      © Reservados todos los derechos, 2021

      Hugo ve Matilda'nın Harika Hikayesi

      Çeviren Deren Delikara

      © Tüm Hakları Saklıdır, 2021

      Ang Kamangha-manghang Kwento nina Hugo at Matilda

      Isinalin ni Lilian Ulan

      © Lahat ng Karapatan ay Nakareserba, 2021

      Den underbara historian om Hugo och Matilda

      Översatt av Joacim Mattisson

      © Alla rättigheter reserverade, 2021

      ह्यूगो और मटिल्डा की अद्भुत कहानी Story

      द्वारा अनुवाद किया गया 

      Shalini Chaudhari

      © सर्वाधिकार सुरक्षित, 2021

      Den vidunderlige historien om Hugo og Matilda

      Oversatt av

      Terje Sorlie

      © Med enerett, 2021

      Hugon ja Matildan ihmeellinen tarina

      Kääntänyt

      Tuomas Leppilampi

      © Kaikki oikeudet pidätetään, 2021

      La merveilleuse histoire d'Hugo et Mathilde

      Traduit par

      Flora Tromelin & Suzanne Nicolas

      © Tous droits réservés, 2021

    • COLLECTIBLES

      We plan to offer story-related items as potential gift ideas for loved ones,

      such as T-Shirts, reprints of your favorite images, posters, postcards, etc.

       

      These items will include images from all the hummingbird families

      that 'conquered' our backyard, such as from:

       

      MS. HONEY and her children HUGO & MATILDA and ELTON & JOHN

      MS. SUNSHINE and her children HUNKY & DORY and MAX & MORITZ

       

      See below for potential images & items.

       

      © All Rights Reserved, 2021 & Yonder

      Elton & John

      Hunky & Dory

      Ms. Sunshine & Max

      Matilda's First Flight

      Hugo's First Flight

      Ms. Sunshine

      Ms. Sunshine

      Ms. Sunshine

      Ms. Honey with Hugo & Matilda

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