Book Report

This month’s book is Chicken Thoughts: Comics About Birds by Sarah Wymer.

Chicken Thoughts: Comics About Birds  is a compilation of popular cartoon strips by artist Sarah Wymer.

Cooper thought this book was sweet and funny. Her favorite strips were the two that featured budgies. Of course, Cooper thinks the whole book should have starred budgies (Budgie Thoughts!).

Anyone who lives with birds will relate to the antics of Chicken, Blue Boy and their feathered friends. Included in the collection are some never before seen comics. If you are a bird lover or have a bird lover in your life, Chicken Thoughts would make a perfect holiday (or birbday) gift.

Cooper’s Book Report

This month’s book is Henny the Parakeet by Annette M. Spector, in collaboration with David E. Greenberg.

Henny the parakeet is the best birthday present an 8 year old can ask for. He learns to talk, eats dinner with his family and is very popular in his apartment building. Henny even goes to school to take part in Show in Tell.
But one day, Henny accidentally flies out a window. His family is devastated and searches for him every day – even offering a reward. Will Henny make his way home to his worried family?

Cooper loved that Henny’s family treasured him and knew what a special budgie he was. She thought the message, “Never give up hope” is an important one. Especially when it comes to lost or sick pets. Cooper loves a happy ending and was so happy that Henny was found and reunited with his loving family.

Cooper’s Book Report

This month’s book is The Exclusive Life of Reba K. Williams, a Parakeet (Book One) by Thomas Hardy.

The Exclusive Life of Reba K. Williams, a Parakeet (Book One)  follows just some of the life of a very worldly, glamorous budgie. In Beverly Hills, Reba lives an exciting life. Decked out in jewels, she associates with movie stars and attends fancy parties.
After divorcing her first husband, Reba falls in love with Danny “Happy” Williams, a roly poly plastic man. The couple move to the east coast and marries. Danny then decides to run for governor of Vermont. Will Reba become a first lady? 

Cooper found this book to be very charming. The illustrations (by Romi Vekony) were colorful and lively. Cooper loved the imagination, humor and quirky details of Reba’s life. She also liked the author biography at the end of the book in which the author talks about his childhood and the importance of imagination.
Cooper hopes that book two is in the works.

Cooper’s Book Report

This month’s book is Unflappable by Suzie Gilbert (wildlife rehabilitator and author of Flyaway – reviewed by Cooper, here) .

Suzie Gilbert’s newest book is the story of wildlife rehabber Luna, and her quest to rescue Mars, a stolen bald eagle. With the aid of the rehabber community, an ex Navy Seal and her getaway driver Ned, Luna and Mars make their escape. Hot on her tail are her controlling billionaire husband and his henchman, the police and a federal fish and wildlife officer. Will Luna and Mars evade their pursuers and make it safely to an eagle sanctuary in Canada?

Cooper enjoys a good bird book (even if the main character is not a budgie). Unflappable is an adventure packed with characters, danger and romance (which blooms for more than one couple). The love and the commitment the rehabbers have for what they do shines through. Cooper loved how they all worked together, against the odds, to rescue and reunite Mars and his mate, Banshee. She thought it was nice that the humans had happy endings as well.

Cooper’s Book Report

This month’s book is Pete, Pete the Parakeet by J.A. Arnold.

Pete Pete the parakeet is a little budgie who loved to steal cheerios, fly around the house and play with cards. He was a friendly bird who knew many words. In this book, the author shares the life of her budgie Peter in rhyme and illustrations.27

Cooper enjoyed this picture book. She thought that Pete had lots of fun playing with his bell and fleet of toy cars. Like Pete, she also likes to tear up paper and make a mess. Cooper think it’s wonderful that Pete was so loved he inspired his human to write a book about him.

Cooper’s Book Report

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

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

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

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

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.