Cooper’s Book Report

Posted on August 14, 2013 by Michelle M.

This month’s book is Princess Penelope’s Parrot by Helen Lester (illustrated by Lynn Munsinger).

Princess Penelope is a spoiled and nasty little princess. She receives a parrot for her birthday and proceeds to treat it awfully. The parrot has its revenge when a neighboring prince comes to visit, and all ends well. Cooper enjoyed this book (even though she thought that “Princess Penelope’s Parakeet” would have been a more interesting story). The illustrations were fun, and she was glad to see the princess get her comeuppance.

Cooper’s Book Report

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Michelle M.

This month’s book is The Bird King: An Artist’s Notebook by Shaun Tan.

My sister introduced me to the work of Shaun Tan, an Australian writer and illustrator. He’s even won an Academy Award for the animated version of his book The Lost Thing.

The Bird King is a collection of illustrations, sketches and ideas by the artist. Cooper loved the whimsical and imaginative artwork. Her favorite was the budgie on the cover and the budgie on page 50. This sketch became an illustration in the book Tales From Outer Suburbia.

(Can you spot the budgie?)

Shaun Tan (with Diego and Snowball) is also a budgie owner. His budgie Eddie helped to inspire one of my favorite stories “Eric”.

Cooper’s Book Report

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Michelle M.

This month’s book is Wesley the Owl, by Stacey O’Brien.

This book is the memoir of the nineteen year relationship between biologist Stacey O’ Brien, and Wesley, a four day old barn owlet. Wesley could not be rehabilitated and released in the wild due to nerve damage in one wing, so Stacey adopts him and takes him home. The two bond and have many adventures over the years. Raising an owl is no easy task, but Stacey lovingly cares for the little owl and shares her discoveries about owl behavior.

Cooper thought this book was both moving and educational. She enjoyed reading about Oliver’s exploits – especially his love of baths and magazine ripping (two of her favorite activities). She found the description of mouse preparation/feeding to be disgusting, however. But supposes an owl must eat what an owl must eat. Cooper would recommend this book if you would like some insight into “The Way of the Owl”.

Cooper’s Book Report

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Michelle M.

This month’s book is The Widow and the Parrot by Virginia Woolf. Woolf wrote the story for her two young nephews to include in their family newsletter. The illustrations were done by her grand nephew.

The book is about a poor widow who is left an inheritance by her brother (a house and a sum of money). She travels to another village to find that the house is in shambles, and the money is non-existent. What is left for her is a grey parrot named James. Though she is advised to sell the parrot, she befriends and cares for him. Her kindness pays off when James saves her life and guides her to the small fortune her miserly brother had hidden away under the kitchen floor. James, the widow, and her dog live out the rest of their days in comfort.

Cooper enjoyed this book. The story was sweet and she liked the message that being kind pays off in the end. Her favorite part of the book was when James saves the widow from freezing to death in the night.

Cooper’s book report

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Michelle M.

This month’s book is Feathers in the Fry Pan! by Brandy House. This book was in the budgie box sent by Susan – thanks Susan!

Feathers in the Fry Pan tells of the amusing adventures of Tiger, an adorable little green budgie. Tiger was very affectionate and much loved by his family. He had free reign of the house and was into everything.

This was a cute, but short book (perhaps because Tiger only lived one year). Tiger had some close calls and escaped the house twice. The family’s other bird, a young budgie named Bird, was killed by their dog. While Cooper enjoyed this book, she was disturbed by the untimely ends of Bird and Tiger (budgies need supervision). And she won’t even get into the poor sentence structure and grammatical errors. Although Tiger had a short life, it seemed to be a happy one, and this book certainly depicts the joy of budgie ownership.

Cooper’s book report

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Michelle M.

This month’s book is Conversations with Cosmo – At Home with an African Grey Parrot. Betty Jean Craige tells of her relationship with her parrot, Cosmo. Cosmo has a vocabulary of over two hundred phrases which she uses to communicate with Betty Jean. Cooper found the book to be insightful and humorous. She loved reading about Cosmo’s jokes and antics, and found the bond between Cosmo and Betty Jean to be very touching. Of course, now Cooper wants an African Grey Parrot of her own.

Cooper’s book report

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Michelle M.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach

Jonathan is a seagull who is not content to live the life of an ordinary bird. He loves to fly – and pushes himself to greater heights and speed. His shenanigans ultimately cause him banishment from his flock. This frees Jonathan to explore flight, discover other planes of existence and pursue self-perfection.

Cooper enjoyed this book, especially the passages about flying and the photos of the seagulls. Cooper thought the story was short and sweet and she liked its inspirational message.

Cooper’s book report

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Michelle M.

The Parakeet Girl by Marilyn Sadler

After trying out a dog, a cat and a goldfish, Emma Tuttle finds the perfect pet – a parakeet named Henry. Henry does everything with Emma until one day her brother brings home a parakeet of his own. Henry falls in love with the new bird – a budgie named Kate. Soon Henry abandons Emma to spend all his time with Kate. Is Emma doomed to live a lifetime of loneliness??

Cooper enjoyed this book. She thought it was very romantic and loved that there were two blue budgies in the story. She also liked that Henry holds the remote while watching television (the remote is one of Cooper’s favorite things).

Cooper’s book report

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Michelle M.

Willie Was Different by Norman Rockwell

Willie the wood thrush is awkward and different. Deep down inside, though, he knows he is a genius. So he leaves his family behind to go out into the world. He meets Miss Polly, the town librarian. He discovers his musical genius while singing along with Miss Polly’s flute. Soon, fame finds him. But will acclaim and admiration make Willie happy?

Cooper enjoyed this book. It was a cute story and the illustrations were wonderful. She didn’t understand why Willie would give up being a celebrity, though…

Cooper’s book report

Posted on September 9, 2012 by Michelle M.

Maxie by Betty Basler Barboza

This short, but sweet little book (recommended by Susan) is about a budgie named Maxie and his life with the Basler family. Maxie was a charming and talkative little fellow, who had a series of amusing adventures. Cooper’s favorite parts of the book where when Maxie saved baby Brad’s life (from poisoning!) and when Maxie dropped his toys to the floor (a game Cooper likes to play). The family loved Maxie so much they had him stuffed after he died (that’s stuffed Maxie on the cover – yikes).