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The Parakeet Girl (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3)
Kids who like to laugh will love Emma Tuttle, The Parakeet Girl , who goes everywhere with her pet bird, Henry, on top of her head. But when Henry's fancies turn to a pretty parakeet named Kate, Emma finds herself birdless and blue. Until, that is, she hears an unfamiliar peep-peep from Henry and Kate's cage...
- GenresChildrens
48 pages, Paperback
First published March 18, 1997
1 person is currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Marilyn Sadler
67 books47 followersWith a degree in fine arts, Marilyn Sadler assumed she would be an illustrator. But when early in her career she was presented with an opportunity to write, she seized it and quickly discovered that she had found her true love. No sad, sappy stories for her, however. She likes to make herself laugh, and with that her characters usually end up looking pretty silly for one reason or another.
Her first children’s book featured a fastidious little English boy named Alistair Grittle and was originally created for the English publisher, Hamish Hamilton, as well as for Simon & Schuster in the United States. Having created a boy with such perfect behavior, she then turned her attention to a not so perfectly behaved little boy. His name was P.J. Funnybunny, and he has existed in a series of books for Random House, including the highly prestigious Dr. Seuss Cat In the Hat series.
Marilyn’s television credits include two PBS Reading Rainbow programs featuring Alistair, an Alistair program for the BBC, three ABC Weekend Specials featuring P.J. Funnybunny, and a show based on her children’s book, "Elizabeth and Larry", for Showtime’s Shelley Duvall’s Bedtime Stories.
Between 1999 and 2004, The Disney Channel produced three Original Movies based on her book, "Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century". Each of Disney’s Zenon movies had exceptionally high ratings, with Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century and Zenon the Zequel among the highest rated shows in the history of The Disney Channel.
In 2004, Playhouse Disney began production on Marilyn and Roger Bollen's animated series, Handy Manny. Handy Manny premiered September 16, 2006, as the highest rated Playhouse Disney series premiere of all time. In 2009, Marilyn was nominated for an Emmy Award as Executive Producer of Handy Manny.
Her first children’s book featured a fastidious little English boy named Alistair Grittle and was originally created for the English publisher, Hamish Hamilton, as well as for Simon & Schuster in the United States. Having created a boy with such perfect behavior, she then turned her attention to a not so perfectly behaved little boy. His name was P.J. Funnybunny, and he has existed in a series of books for Random House, including the highly prestigious Dr. Seuss Cat In the Hat series.
Marilyn’s television credits include two PBS Reading Rainbow programs featuring Alistair, an Alistair program for the BBC, three ABC Weekend Specials featuring P.J. Funnybunny, and a show based on her children’s book, "Elizabeth and Larry", for Showtime’s Shelley Duvall’s Bedtime Stories.
Between 1999 and 2004, The Disney Channel produced three Original Movies based on her book, "Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century". Each of Disney’s Zenon movies had exceptionally high ratings, with Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century and Zenon the Zequel among the highest rated shows in the history of The Disney Channel.
In 2004, Playhouse Disney began production on Marilyn and Roger Bollen's animated series, Handy Manny. Handy Manny premiered September 16, 2006, as the highest rated Playhouse Disney series premiere of all time. In 2009, Marilyn was nominated for an Emmy Award as Executive Producer of Handy Manny.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 7, 2008
(CIP) Emma tries several pets before she becomes best friends with her parakeet Henry, but she finds that friendship threatened when her brother Bruce buys another parakeet.
(Claudia) In this engaging easy reader, early elementary-age Emma wants a pet, one who will love her best. A puppy prefers her mother, a kitten makes Emma sneeze, a goldfish won’t make friends. Finally, Henry the parakeet becomes the perfect pet … until Emma’s brother Bruce brings home a female parakeet, and Henry abruptly switches his allegiance. The storyline, full of small events, unfolds at a good pace to keep readers’ attention, while the colorful illustrations complement the story, showing a wide range of feelings, and plenty of action. A couple of brown-skinned students are shown in classroom scenes; the rest of the characters are white. (Gr. 1-3)
(SLJ) “In spite of the simplistic plot, this story is entertaining. A good choice for beginning readers.”
(Booklist) “The language is simple, but the pet story takes lots of unexpected twists and turns in this Step into Reading book with exuberant cartoon illustrations. New readers will see that a story can surprise you, and they will appreciate the expressive pictures.”
(Claudia) In this engaging easy reader, early elementary-age Emma wants a pet, one who will love her best. A puppy prefers her mother, a kitten makes Emma sneeze, a goldfish won’t make friends. Finally, Henry the parakeet becomes the perfect pet … until Emma’s brother Bruce brings home a female parakeet, and Henry abruptly switches his allegiance. The storyline, full of small events, unfolds at a good pace to keep readers’ attention, while the colorful illustrations complement the story, showing a wide range of feelings, and plenty of action. A couple of brown-skinned students are shown in classroom scenes; the rest of the characters are white. (Gr. 1-3)
(SLJ) “In spite of the simplistic plot, this story is entertaining. A good choice for beginning readers.”
(Booklist) “The language is simple, but the pet story takes lots of unexpected twists and turns in this Step into Reading book with exuberant cartoon illustrations. New readers will see that a story can surprise you, and they will appreciate the expressive pictures.”
March 9, 2022
Genre: modern fantasy, grades K-2
What's better than a parakeet love story? A childhood favorite of mine, this book still does not disappoint. It's a light and goofy story but still very entertaining. The cartoonish illustrations really enhance what this book is going for.
What's better than a parakeet love story? A childhood favorite of mine, this book still does not disappoint. It's a light and goofy story but still very entertaining. The cartoonish illustrations really enhance what this book is going for.
March 21, 2011
We really enjoyed reading this book together. It was a fun tale of finding the perfect pet, as well as a humorous story about a smart parakeet who enchants a teacher and likes to sit on heads. The story is a bit long for early readers, but we all read a little and our youngest wasn't so intimidated. The illsutrations are very cute and we loved the ending. I would certainly recommend this for grades 1-3 to read by themselves, or younger with a parent.
September 16, 2015
This book was such a great book. Emma tries so hard to find the perfect pet; she has a puppy and a cat, but neither of them are fitting for her. Finally she finds Henry, the parakeet and they become the best of friends. This would be a great book for children in elementary school to read. It is a great transitional chapter book for readers new to chapter books.
February 27, 2009
Good kids book!
September 16, 2010
This is a book I used with my lowest guided reading group. It was a little below their level. It is a very easy read. I use it first to give my low readers confidence in themselves!
June 17, 2013
It reminds me of Fly Guy, but not as funny. It has its own style of bird charm.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews