Picture book review: Parrots Over Puerto Rico by Susan L. Roth and Cindy Trumbore @LEEandLOW

Parrots Over Puerto Rico

by Susan L. Roth, Cindy Trumbore

Hardcover, 48 pages

Published October 20th 2013 by Lee & Low (first published September 1st 2013)

Above the treetops of Puerto Rico flies a flock of parrots as green as their island home. . . . These are Puerto Rican parrots. They lived on this island for millions of years, and then they nearly vanished from the earth forever.

Puerto Rican parrots, once abundant, came perilously close to extinction in the 1960s due to centuries of foreign exploration and occupation, development, and habitat destruction. In this compelling book, Roth and Trumbore recount the efforts of the scientists of the Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program to save the parrots and ensure their future. Woven into the parrots’ story is a brief history of Puerto Rico itself, from before the first human settlers to the present day.

With striking collage illustrations, a unique format, and engaging storytelling, PARROTS OVER PUERTO RICO invites readers to witness the amazing recovery efforts that have enabled Puerto Rican parrots to fly over their island once again.

Reading Parrots Over Puerto Rico is intense. And that's a great thing. There's so much to find, share, revel in, and learn about on these forty-eight pages. Take the time and go over every page for the total experience and don't forget to enjoy the art. 

This book has history, telling the story of the parrots of Puerto Rico, from the name the Tainos gave them (iguaca), to how the humans almost destroyed them by cutting down their trees and subsequently saved them from extinction by conservation. The pages are read sideways, which might take some getting used to, but trust me, the complete experience is worth it! Holding the book up gives such a larger perspective and provides movement to the two page spreads which only highlights both the story being shared and the history. The parrots and their story are so important because mankind has repeated similar mistakes with other species in the world. The artwork is visually gorgeous and the cut and paste effect gives the story an added degree of realism. 

Each book has a purpose and Parrots Over Puerto Rico does not only entertain, it tells the important story of life, its destruction and the conservation of it. Unique and powerful, it is unforgettable.

Rating: 5 of 5

Cover comment: Striking artwork

Book source: Library