Bird Brain

by Jacob Stewart, Chris Pearce (illustrator)

Lester Freewill, a turkey who experiences consciousness just like you or I, discovers the joy and enchantment of human popular culture. Lester becomes obsessed with all things human, particularly their television shows. Our turkey protagonist hopes to adopt the human ways and, perhaps, become friends with the humans. This fantasy takes a turn when Lester discovers he and his family are situated on a turkey ranch. A death sentence for turkeys. What does this mean for his family? Will Lester flee the ranch and go into hiding? Will he get his revenge? Is it too late? All of these questions will be answered thanks to a cast of unsuspected heroes you will meet along the way, human and animal alike.

Bird Brain goes from abstract to literal, playful to intense, and introspective to existential. This journey asks its readers to examine the relationship between man and animal, as well as the other relationships that exist in our lives.

The animals have something to say.

169 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 3, 2024

Reviews

[Ryan McGuff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book written by a great friend! If you want to read something that makes you think “wtf did I actually just read” by the end of it, this is right up your alley!

[Darwin Fuentes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bird Brain by Jacob Stewart is a wonderfully layered story that manages to be deep, funny, dark, and surprisingly motivational. At its core, it’s a compelling redemption tale about a father and son, exploring themes of breaking free from societal turkey norms, seeking revenge, and finding purpose beyond feeling trapped in life’s “ranch.” What stood out to me was how the book highlights the unexpected ways people you meet can later become a great surprise, helping you break free from limitations you didn’t even realize you had. It beautifully illustrates the power of new perspectives and how others can profoundly influence our journey. The story strikes a perfect balance between humor and poignancy, making it an engaging and thought-provoking read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a story that’s both entertaining and meaningful.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am excited to read this because I have known the author, LITERALLY, all of his life. I'm so excited for him and proud of him. Let the adventure begin.
I finished it and I'm amazed by this story. So fun. So thought provoking. It's a reflection of our relationships with each other, with the other animals and our planet. All without being preachy. I'm looking forward to his next book already.