BOOK/CD review I'm A Parrot Simon Mayor & Hilary James

Parents In Touch
Children will have great fun following the story of a parrot who loves to say things twice and this is a super read aloud story for children to join in with. The stories are full of puns - and don't miss those in the pictures, either. An entertaining storyline and brightly coloured illustrations make this a fun story in itself, but the addition of the sing-along CD lifts this book and gives an additional dimension. Sheet music is included so children can play and sing along. The ukelele music is great fun too. These books are great value and make excellent use of the benefits of singing for extending vocabulary and the enjoyment of reading. Hilary James and Simon Mayor have a super music website for children at http://www.childrensmusic.co.uk/

(Summary)
Everyone knows that parrots can talk. However, the parrot in this story not only likes to say things once, he also loves repeating himself. In this cheerful, colourful book you'll meet this quirky parrot and you probably won't be able to help smiling at the host of funny expressions he comes out with – often more than once! This lovely book is written in rhyme and you can also hear it sung to music by listening to the accompanying CD.

(Full review)
I think that most small children will love the friendly, chatty parrot who speaks to them in 'I'm a Parrot'. From the very start of the book, the parrot chatters on, talking what can only be described as nonsense – but it is very amusing nonsense even though he claims to enjoy intelligent conversation. He talks about the different places he would or wouldn't live and the things that he might do. There are many puns and some play on words such as living in 'Polly-nesia' and becoming a 'parrot-trooper'. My daughter also found it quite comical the way the parrot keeps repeating particular words, although I can imagine that if we were to read the book a few times, it might become a little annoying to say the least.

Because the book is written in rhyme, it has a jolly rhythm throughout. Young children will enjoy the rhyme and will probably love trying to supply the rhyming words. Also, as there is a refrain that occurs quite a few times in the book, they are soon likely to be joining in with these words as well.

Older children, who are becoming confident in their reading, will probably be able to read this book for themselves, although I think that it is the type of book that is more enjoyable when shared and read aloud.

There is a lot of humour in both the text and in the lovely bright illustrations. We particularly love seeing the parrot on the beach in 'Polly-nesia' wearing his trendy shades and with a cocktail in his claw! The other illustrations, such as him wearing a policeman's helmet or 'parrot-trooping', all add to the overall fun and enjoyment of this book.

Not only is there the book, there is also an accompanying CD which has all the words sung to jaunty music. It is sung by a male voice but there is definitely a parrot squawking in the background. I wasn't sure that I would enjoy listening to the CD, but the tune is very catchy and before we knew it, my daughter and I were joining in.

Overall, there is not much story but it doesn't seem to matter too much, because it is a lot of fun and the music CD makes it even better. I don't think it's one that will be read over and over but I am sure it will have its moments, especially listening to the CD.

Jo Heffer

New Mummy's Tips
Children will delight in following the story of a parrot who just loves to say things twice! Humorous text and illustrations are complemented by the entertaining accompanying song that children will love to sing along with!

Acoustics Records
PO Box 350
Reading RG6 7DQ
England
Tel: +44 (0)118 926 8615
www.acousticsrecords.co.uk