Cooper’s Book Report

Posted on April 24, 2020 by Michelle M.

This month’s book is Budgerigar: How a Brave, Chatty and Colourful Little Aussie Bird Stole the World’s Heart by Sarah Harris and Don Baker.

Budgie lovers rejoice! Budgerigar: How a Brave, Chatty and Colourful Little Aussie Bird Stole the World’s Heart has arrived. This fascinating book covers the history of our favorite little bird. Entertaining and comprehensive, Budgerigar explores how the budgie traveled from the wilds of Australia to homes around the world.
The book is thorough in its coverage – from the light side: famous budgies, famous budgie owners, budgie heroism and budgies as therapy animals, to the dark side: budgie smuggling, budgies as fashion, budgies as food (yikes), psittacosis and shooting for sport.

This is Cooper’s favorite book. She loved how it celebrated every aspect of the budgie and its history. Most of all – she loves that she is included in the book! She can be found on pages 221-222. Her photo can be seen in the insert. So exciting! Thank you to the authors for letting Cooper be a part of this wonderful book.
If you love budgies or know a budgie lover, Cooper highly recommends Budgerigar: How a Brave, Chatty and Colourful Little Aussie Bird Stole the World’s Heart.

Cooper’s Book Report

Posted on February 26, 2020 by Michelle M.

This month’s book is Never Nudge a Budgie! by Colin West. This book was sent to us by Owen and Rebecca Donovan.

Never Nudge a Budgie! is a collection of whimsical and humorous poems for children (and fun loving adults). Each poem is illustrated with an amusing drawing. Chapters include: Funny Folk, Vicious Verses, Tricky Tongue Twisters, etc. Cooper’s favorite category was Curious Creatures and her favorite poem (of course) was “Never Nudge a Budgie”.

Cooper would have preferred that all the poems were about budgies, but was thrilled that a budgie poem was included. And that a budgie was not only in the book title, but illustrated on both the front and back covers!
Cooper sends a special thank you chirp to the Donovans for sending us this delightful book.
XOXO

Cooper’s Book Report

Posted on January 28, 2020 by Michelle M.

This month’s book is Mars in the Outback by Andrew, Marley and Flynn Neilan.

Mars is lonely, so his humans take him on a trip to the Outback. The little blue budgie sees lots of native birds on his trip. When the family arrives in Palm Valley, Mars decides to explore. He meets up with a budgie flock who are not very accepting of a blue budgie. His humans come up with some ways for Mars to blend in, but none seem to work. Will Mars be able to make friends with the wild budgies?

Cooper enjoyed this book. Of course she loved that the star of the story was a blue budgie. She admired Mars for his perseverance and was happy that he finally found acceptance (and a kiss from the queen budgie).
Cooper also liked that this book was written by a family. She thinks that all families should write books about their budgies.

Cooper’s Book Report

Posted on October 21, 2019 by Michelle M.

This month’s book is Colette’s Lost Pet by Isabelle Arsenault.

Colette (who is not allowed to have a pet) is new to the neighborhood. She fabricates a lost parakeet as a way to engage with the neighborhood children. The search for her missing bird grows as she meets more and more friends. Will Colette be caught in her fib?

Cooper thought this was a sweet book with lovely illustrations. She was amused at how Marie-Antoinette (who only speaks French) becomes gigantic in size. Who wouldn’t want to fly around the world on the back of their budgie? She liked how the neighborhood children worked together to try to find Colette’s bird. Cooper hopes that Colette someday adopts a real budgie. Or two.

Cooper’s Book Report

Posted on September 17, 2019 by Michelle M.

This month’s book is Getting Along with Lola Bird by Rita Di Gianvittorio.

Lulu is excited when her Aunt drops off Lola, a rescue budgie. But Lulu soon becomes frustrated with the little bird when she ruins her painting, makes a bird’s nest out of her hair and bites her. Lulu yells at Lola and then ignores her. Poor Lola starts to pluck out her feathers. But once Lulu tries to see life from Lola’s point of view, she is able to start a friendship with her budgie.

Cooper thought this was a great book for teaching children (and adults) how to be patient and kind with their budgies. She liked how Lulu was able to empathize with Lola by imagining what it was like to be a rescue bird in a new home. Cooper enjoyed the colorful illustrations and found she had a lot on common with Lola (they both ride skateboards). She was happy that Lola and Lulu became friends and that Lola ends up with two more rescue birds as companions.

Cooper’s Book Report

Posted on July 3, 2019 by Michelle M.

This month’s book is Cher Ami: WWI Homing Pigeon by Jeoming Dunn.

Cher Ami was a carrier pigeon used in World War I to deliver messages for the US soldiers. She saved an encircled battalion during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive in October 1918. She flew a total of 12 missions.
The American army was outnumbered, had eaten all of their food and used all their first aid supplies. Then things got even worse. “Our artillery is dropping a barrage on us. For Heaven’s sake, stop!” – Major Whittlesey.
Cher Ami was the soldiers’ last hope. She took to the air, where she was shot. She flew 25 miles to deliver her message. When she arrived, one leg was hanging on by a tendon, she was blind in one eye, and she had a hole in her breast.
Cher Ami received many awards, including the Croix de Guerre Medal and a palm Oak Leaf Cluster. She died from her injuries on June 13, 1919. Her preserved body is on display at the Smithsonian in Washington DC.

Cooper thinks Cher Ami was an amazing and brave bird. She enjoyed the graphic novel style of the book (illustrations by Benn Dunn). There is a fact page and a glossary to help with some of the terms in the book. Cooper was glad that Cher Ami was recognized for her sacrifice. Cher Ami was a true hero.

Cooper’s Book Report

Posted on June 13, 2019 by Michelle M.

This month’s book is Be Quiet, Bird! by A..J. Weaver.

Bird (a little blue budgie) whistles and sings from morning until bedtime. Mother and Dad are a wee bit tired of the constant whistling and tell bird to, “Be Quiet!”
In the middle of the night a burglar breaks in and wakes Bird. Bird begins to whistle, chirp and scold loudly rousing the family and scaring off the thief. Mother and Dad let know Bird how clever he is and tell him he can whistle and sing as loudly as he likes.

Cooper enjoyed this book. She liked the colorful illustrations (by AJ Weaver). Cooper thought this book had a very important message – always listen to your bird. She thought Bird was very brave – and also very clever. At the very end of the book he even learns to talk, saying, “Be quiet, Bird!”

Cooper’s Book Report

Posted on May 17, 2019 by Michelle M.

This month’s book is Flo, A Very Special Budgie by Joan M. Wright.

Flossita del Budgeroo (Flo for short) is a very pampered parakeet. She has lots of treats and toys and belongs to a very rich old lady. One day the old lady goes away forever (!). Flo is taken to a new home and finds herself in a strange aviary with lots of other budgies.
Flo is not pleased to be with ordinary budgies when she is so special. Plump Flo can’t fly very well and feels out of sorts. She is rude to Fred, a budgie who tries to befriend her.
Will Flo be able to adapt to her new home and flock? Will she join the budgie choir – perhaps sing a solo? Will she find romance with Fred??

Cooper could relate to Flo (as she is also a special budgie). She was happy that Flo became friends with the other birds and found happiness in her new home. Cooper loved the illustrations (and liked that Flo was a blue budgie). Cooper is now practicing her singing so she can become a soloist, too.

Cooper’s Book Report

Posted on April 10, 2019 by Michelle M.

This month’s book is Cockatiel Lessons by Marguerite Floyd.

“Let’s just go in and look.” Marguerite Floyd and her mother decide one day to go into a pet store. Marguerite ends up leaving with a little yellow cockatiel who will soon change her life.

Sugar Franklin is a charming little diva (who hates toes) and Marguerite quickly falls in love with her feathered family member. It is not long before she acquires two more cockatiels (Flash and Nicholas) and an African brown headed parrot, Charli. Soon Marguerite is reading up on birds, visiting chat rooms, befriending fellow bird lovers and even writing articles.

Cooper loved this story of one woman’s love for and devotion to her birds. Her human could relate to the joys and sorrows that come with loving these beautiful beings. Cockatiel Lessons is a must for anyone considering adding a bird to their family. Just make sure you have a box of tissue handy.

Cooper’s Book Report

Posted on March 29, 2019 by Michelle M.

This month’s book is Parakeet Bay by Andrew Steele.

Budgie Louie is ready for a vacation. He convinces his brother, Lightning, that Parakeet Bay would be the perfect place for a holiday.
At first, Parakeet Bay seems like a birdie paradise, but when Louie meets Kate, a beautiful budgie employee, he discovers the resort harbors some dark secrets. Louie and Lightning do some investigating and soon find themselves in danger. Will the two budgies be able to escape Parakeet Bay and return home?

Cooper loved this book. She liked the humor (Louie packs his bell), adventure (a daring escape) and romance (Kate and Louie). There are no illustrations, but at the end of the book there is a little blurb and photo of the author’s budgies (who inspired the story). They are described as being blue, Louie with a bright yellow face, and Lightning, a pearly white face (just like Ozzie and Harvey!).