Penguin the Magpie: The Inspiring Story of the Unlikely Hero Who Brought a Family Together

Alicia Davies: Just delightful. And inspiring

United Kingdom on Sep 15, 2023

monika15: Leider falsch aufg englisch bestellt, aber trotzdem sehr ansprechend

Germany on Aug 29, 2023

nancy s.: An incredibly beautiful and touching book. Fabulous photography. Beautifully written.

United States on Jul 12, 2023

KN: I chose this for my book club. Lovely (but also sad) book with beautiful photos.

Australia on Feb 24, 2023

Shelley Nadine: happy enuf

Canada on Nov 09, 2022

GoldenBulldog: I thought this was going to be a warm tale of an animal (in this case, bird) rescue. It was much, much more: the true tale of lives of true love coming to a crashing halt due to an accident. Presented with the interwoven rescue, yes, of an avian chick blown out of a tree and also needing rescue.

The photographs by one of the authors are quite remarkable, captivating, and ultimately touching, as is the narrative he tells.
The magpie, Penguin, is named by the three young sons of this family, amidst the horror and shock of nearly losing their mother.
The photographs of how this bird becomes totally at one with this family are both simple and breathtaking.

Without spoiling the complete tale, let me just say that it moved me in unexpected ways and shed light in places I had never been before, mentally or physically. A beautiful story I recommend highly. I don’t think I will ever be without it.

United States on Sep 20, 2021

Stewart1701: I can without any doubt say whoever reads this true story will want to share it, it’s a short factual story of how an orphan bird brings a family suffering a tragedy together by ensuring the mother who suffers an awful injury has to focus on realising there is life after injury. The book content is based on superb photos with text so it is a short story but well worth anyone’s time.

Now once you have read this get the film as they really work together, for me I wish I had read the book first as the film is so good in its own right with a feel bad feel good reality from such a freestyle family.
Enjoy or miss something great.

United Kingdom on Jul 13, 2021

E.S. Shaffer: This is a quick read with great photos. I was intrigued with the idea of a careless bird being cared for and raised by a family and how it affected the family's life. Cameron, the husband, quickly tells the story of their courtship, marriage, personalities, and adventures before the magpie comes into their lives. He explains the horrific accident in Thailand that leaves his wife in a horrible.and terrifying state. Then Cameron tells of his wife's struggles to deal with her new body mentally and physically. Up to this point.there aren't many of his wife's photos, especially not facial shots. But one of the things that really made this story pop was the photography. It really helped tell the story. The last section was from the wife Sam who very succinctly said how she felt at different stages after the accident, and in my opinion, was particularly exact in telling the reading what he will be experienced if their loved one experiences a similar fate as hers. She gives a list of things for the caretaker and friends to say and not say, as well as things to do and not.do. I truly enjoyed this book.

United States on Jun 01, 2020

Elizabeth Kastanotis: Not only did the wonderful pictures and the text tell the story of Penguin, but they also told the story of the entire family and how both they and Penguin worked their way through seemingly insurmountable challenges with grace, courage, love and laughter. The story is told both sensitively and candidly, sharing with the reader both the struggles and the triumphs. I read it in one sitting, something I seldom do, and then read it again. And I've looked at the photographs many times over, as they "tell it all." This is a wonderful book for any adult (and an adult could certainly share the pictures with a child, telling only those parts of the story they think the child might understand and be ready for.) Penguin is a very sensitive and aware creature who brings as much healing to the family as they bring to him. It is "must" reading for anyone who has suffered severe injuries or who works with those who have, as well as for those who love reading about animals who are extremely "tuned in" to the humans around them. I can't recommend it highly enough.

United States on Sep 25, 2018

Beth: I love this book and have nothing but praise for this unique read. It is a love story first off with a tale of tragedy and struggle woven into the fabric of the Bloom family’s lives. It’s a story of hope and faith. Once Sam decided she wanted to continue her earth-walk after her accident, she was like a cork in water – she couldn’t be kept down. She is strong and driven by her love of life, family and a bird in pied feathers - they kept her a full participant in life. Sam is a fighter and you can’t help but cheer her on and fall in love with Penguin the magpie as you read their story. Against all odds, Sam is one of life’s winners – as are all the members of her brave loving family. Sam and Penguin are survivors. Angels come in all sizes, shapes, and forms. Penguin certainly qualifies as an avian angel with her loving spirit and wings. This is a truly awesome story of a young family of five (6 including Penguin), that met with tragedy head-on and conquered what was left in its wake.
The story is told mostly from Mr. Bloom’s point of view and his captivating beautiful photos throughout the book illustrate his deep love of his subjects.
Sam’s frank discussion...

United States on Dec 02, 2017