Two Parrots - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0735841713 ISBN 13: 9780735841710

Publisher: NorthSouth Books, 2014

Synopsis

Rashin Kheiriyeh, 2014 IBBY Award winner and Iranian-American artist, makes Rumi's classical story of a parrot wishing to be free fly off the page!

A plucky parrot living in the home of a wealthy merchant appears to have everything: the love of his owner, the best food, and a golden cage. But, despite all this, the parrot is sad. The merchant will do anything to make his parrot happy! But will he be willing to set his beloved pet free?

Rashin Kheiriyeh's colorful and lively illustrations bring a fresh and distinctive perspective to this thoughtful classic about what is most important in life.

About this title

About the Author

Rashin Kheiriyeh is a multi-award-winning author-illustrator, animator, and painter who has more than ninety children’s books to her credit. Her books have been published in at least twelve countries and she was nominated for the 2023 & 2024 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for outstanding contributions to children's literature. She is also the recipient of a Sendak Fellowship Award, a 2009 New Horizon Award (Bologna Ragazzi), and is a six-time winner of the Bologna Book Fair Illustration competition. Rashin Kheiriyeh is the character artist of the most popular animation series on national television in Iran called “Shekarestan” (“Sugarland”). She now lives in Washington, DC.

Reviews

K-Gr 3—In a story inspired by Rumi, a 13th-century Persian poet, a wealthy Persian merchant decides to buy a parrot he sees in a friend's shop. He gives the bird the best cage, food, and treasures, but it seems sad and refuses to talk. The merchant is a generous man, and before leaving on a trip to India, he asks each of his servants what they might like as a gift. He also asks the parrot, who replies that he would merely like the merchant to give a message to his parrot friend that "I would love to see him, but I can't because I live in a cage." The merchant promises to deliver the message. The parrot in India, upon hearing the message, begins to tremble and falls down dead. Sadly, the merchant returns home and tells his parrot about the friend's demise, and the merchant's parrot also falls down dead. When the merchant removes him from his cage to hold him, the bird flies off into the garden. "'This is the trick that my friend taught me. He showed me that I could only regain my freedom by playing dead.'" The wise merchant has learned a valuable lesson, and he and the parrot became good friends, with the bird living freely in the garden. Illustrated in bright, bold colors, this tale is delightful. The depictions of the merchant and his generous moustache are outdone only by his elaborate traditional costume, complete with wide-legged silk pants, a flowing robe, and tall, fluted hat. Comical expressions and lively action will keep children interested as they consider the tale's message.—Carol Connor, Cincinnati Public Schools, OH

Edition details

• Publisher: NorthSouth Books
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0735841713
• ISBN 13: 9780735841710
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Kheiriyeh Rashin
• Number of pages: 32