View source for I'm A Parrot by Simon Mayor and Hilary James

{{infobox2
|title=I'm A Parrot
|author=Simon Mayor and Hilary James
|reviewer=Jo Heffer
|genre=For Sharing
|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.
|rating=4
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=32
|publisher=Top That!
|date=April 2011
|isbn=978-1849563185
|website=http://www.mandolin.co.uk/
|aznuk=1849563187
|aznus=1849563187
|cover=1849563187
}}

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.

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to The Bookbag.

If your child enjoys 'I'm a Parrot', you might want to take a look at another colourful rhyming book about a quirky creature, [[Jolly Olly Octopus by Tony Mitton and Guy Parker-Rees]].  You might also enjoy [[Harold Finds A Voice by Courtney Dicmas]]. 

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[[Category:Simon Mayor]]
[[Category:Hilary James]]