Hello, Jimmy!

by Anna Walker

A funny, noisy parrot comes into Jack's life and brings him closer to his dad in an unexpected and moving way in this gorgeous, emotionally resonant picture book from the creator of Florette.

Jack loves staying at his dad’s house. They have tacos and milkshakes, and make each other laugh. But lately Jack wonders if his dad is lonely when he isn’t there. Then Jimmy arrives. Jimmy is loud and obnoxious, but Dad thinks he’s clever and funny. Jack does not think he’s clever or funny. And he’s starting to wonder if Dad likes Jimmy better than he likes Jack. This beautifully written and illustrated book about the unconditional love a parent has for a child is both heartwarming and reassuring. 
 

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Birds, Divorce, Childrens, Juvenile, Animals

40 pages, Hardcover

Published February 9, 2021

About the author

Anna Walker writes and illustrates children’s books, including six with author Jane Godwin as well as her own Florette. The illustrator’s imagery is inspired by tiny details in the world around her. She lives in Melbourne, Australia.

Reviews

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another gem from Anna Walker! This gentle, touching book reminded me of Tilly, even though the themes of the books are very different. I think it is just the beautiful simplicity of Anna's illustrations.

This book shows Jack & his Dad, who is dealing with being on his own & with depression and loneliness. Jack feels lost and that he doesn't quite connect with his Dad in the same way any more. When Dad brings home a new parrot to brighten up the place, you might think that Jack would be excited, but this just emphasises his feelings of being overlooked. The story of Jack, Dad & Jimmy the parrot continue, with a warm resolution.

I imagine a lot of kids will see themselves in this book, and take comfort from it.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet look at a boy's relationship with his dad. Jack's dad is sad and alone (I infer from the details that this is a divorce situation?) until they adopt a bright green bird (parrot?) when it gets lost after a storm, and then they regain some humor and fun in their lives. I love the page spread where all the birds are filling Jack's room at night, and the sweet turn in his relationship with his dad at the end.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from HMH Books for Young Readers through Edelweiss+.
Jack sometimes stays at his dad's house. He worries that his dad is lonely when he's not there. One day, Jack gets a surprise when a bright green parrot is there too. Jack worries that his dad loves Jimmy more than he does Jack. Jack lets Jimmy fly out the window and then goes looking for him. He learns that his dad is searching for him not Jimmy and that Jack is the most important.
Reassuring for young readers to see a parent show how special a child is. Life circumstances can cause doubts and fears and Walker's straight forward style offers comfort. The parrot pops on the page to emphasize Jack's feelings of being less important. Love the last illustration where readers might see a familiar green bird flying high above Jack and his dad.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a tender and specific story here, but also open with smiles and insight. The feelings of a young boy (or any child) that their one happiness depends on making a parent(s) happy, feelings of needing to be “enough”, feelings of wanting their worth and lovability to be validated.
This seemingly heavy story is lifted by the surprising arrival of a parrot, Jimmy, whose appeal is undeniable.
What happens next is NOT as surprising as it is tender and credible and important. I welcome the potential for important discussions that might take place among parents and their children.
It might also touch parts of some “former children” who felt those things and never had a JIMMY show up to force the issue and lead them to a better understanding of love.

[Dimity Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello Jimmy!, the latest picture by the supremely talented, Anna Walker depicts the essence of loneliness and transition. Whilst it is clear that Jack and his father are experiencing the fallout of a recent marriage breakdown, these feelings of loss, confusion, alienation and ineptness are emotional states of being that many children and their families will recognise.

For my full review, pop over to DIM'SreVIEWS at my blog: http://dimswritestuff.blogspot.com/20...

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reassuring story about a parent's unconditional love for a child, but the thought of Jimmy's fate in the wild is troubling.

[Megan Wagner · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a parent to a feathered one, I found the ending a bit disturbing.

[Linnea Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

『Hello, Jimmy!』 (Anna Walker, Clarion Books)
This is a picture book by my favorite author, Anna Walker. It tells the story of a clever and noisy parrot named Jimmy who enters Jack's life as a surprise gift and the emotions he experiences, as well as the love between a father and son. The book explores the complex emotions of jealousy and love in a child's heart. We see the complex emotions Jack experiences – jealousy of the attention Jimmy receives, but also love for this vibrant creature.
The book beautifully explores the themes of jealousy and love through a child's perspective. The illustrations are captivating and expressive, especially the dreamlike scene where Jimmy flies away through an open window at night. I also loved the part where Jack searches for Jimmy alone, lost and worried – it's emotionally powerful.
After Jimmy disappears, Jack feels discouraged, but then his dad arrives, looking for him, not Jimmy. This heartwarming scene emphasizes the constant, unwavering love between father and son. Even though their life goes back to normal without Jimmy, Jack cherishes the hope of someday reuniting with him, just like the initial surprise encounter.
The story is both heartwarming and relatable, perfect for anyone who enjoys picture books, children's stories, or heartwarming tales about family and love. I highly recommend it!

[Alayna · Rating 2 out of 5]

The art in this picture book is wonderful, but the story...Spoilers.
Jimmy's dad is sad, probably because of divorce/maybe bills too? I don't know.
I like at the beginning it normalized not talking all the time, because sometimes it's just not needed. Then he feels better because he has a little friend besides his kid.
Except Jack starts feeling overshadowed by Jimmy the bird, and instead of talking about his feelings with his dad, or maybe just closing his bedroom door so he can sleep without Jimmy the parrot, he opens the window and lets him out. Then he feels guilty and goes looking for the bird, and dad comes out and finds him and says I wasn't looking for Jimmy, I was looking for Jack. Which is good, he is your kid, but then..we just forget about the poor bird who yes, is seen at the end of the book, but isn't found. (And realistically, we all know what happened to that poor bird. You killed him, Jack. It worries me that you're going to decide to do away with problems throughout your life and become a serial killer dude. I shouldn't have to worry about this sort of thing with picture books. The bird could have gone back to his previous owners.)


2.5 stars

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A subtle story about a boy's time at his father's house, where his dad might be dealing with depression. I enjoyed the beginning, normalizing the family dynamic and that it's okay to just be quiet with someone.
But I have to admit, I'm not sure what the author was trying to say with the 2nd half.
The father finds a parrot, which improves the father's mood. I thought it might be an allegory for a new partner or a new hobby, but the son gets jealous and lets the bird go. After the father confirms his love for his son, the story ends. This seems like a concerning message. The father comforting the child, doesn't have to prevent the father from his personal growth. Why not both?

[Jennie]

There is an interesting sub text to this story of Jack and his father, on separated families, loneliness and being able to express your feelings. The bond between the two is weakening as dad becomes increasingly withdrawn and Jack feels unwanted. Then Jimmy the parrot arrives and dad becomes more cheerful and Jack increasingly forlorn and forgotten. After Jack releases the parrot he is beset with guilt and goes looking in the rain. When dad finds him it is clear the the boy, not the bird is the most important thing in dads life.
EArly childhood readers will enjoy this on its surface level and astute young children will pick up on the messages that sit just underneath. Anna Walker's illustrations capture the moods and feelings of the characters very effectively with a mix of cleverly used white space to show movement and to spotlight the parrot and more detailed images to capture the setting and reflect the shifting relationships between father and son.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit I found this a strange book. Jack worries his dad is lonely when he isn't there but shows up one day to find his dad has a new bird that Jack becomes jealous of. The bird escapes (I think Jack let him go?) and so he goes to find it but when Jack's dad finds him, he realizes he really is the most important thing to his dad. I didn't connect with the story at all and was left with more questions than answers.

[Rebecca Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack goes to his father's house, and sometimes his dad is really quiet and seems sad. Then, dad gets Jimmy, a parrot. Jimmy makes dad really happy, and Jack resents Jimmy. So he does something he can't take back, and discovers the truth that was there all along.

Great book for boys adjusting to a staying with dad in a separated family.

[Annese · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is missing something. I feel like the story just stopped dead in its tracks. I wanted so much for either dad or Jack to say something, to each other, about how they were feeling, or not feeling, but we got nothing. Sadly, I'm underwhelmed.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack enjoys his quiet visits with his father, but he suspects that his father is lonely. Then his father finds a big, noisy bird and Jack is jealous of all the attention that the bird, Jimmy, gets. A reassuring picture book about loneliness, jealousy, and the enduring love between parent and child.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75. Short and sweet story about a boy's relationship with his dad when he visits him at his house and the boy worrying if his dad is lonely. Not often seen in picture books, good to normalize a non-nuclear family.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack loves staying at his dad’s house, but his dad seems a little gloomy. Then surprise! His dad finds Jimmy who is loud and annoying. Jack’s dad thinks Jimmy is funny and clever. Does his dad like Jimmy better than him?

[MaryLibrarianOH · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little boy spends some time at dads house and things are pretty comfortable until dad gets a bird named Jimmy. Jealous leads to the boy letting the bird out of the house. Realistic that bird isn't found but be ready for the questions from kids.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack lives with his dad some of the time but his dad isn't as fun and funny as he used to be. Sometimes Jack wonders if he even knows he's there. Then a huge parrot shows up and makes the pair laugh and talk

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations and a sweet story combine to elegantly touch on jealousy, divorce, and loss.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale of how a loud, funny, clever intruder named Jimmy invades the space between Jack and his father, until Jimmy disappears, and brings Jack and his father even closer to each other.

[Pinky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jack's dad gets a bird named Jimmy. Jimmy is loud and Jack's dad thinks Jimmy is amazing. Jack gets jealous and lets Jimmy out the window.

[Patricia Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Anna Walker's illustrations!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very enjoyable, sweet story.

[Kelly]

I think what I didn't like about this book was that the child grew in his living, but the dad didn't. He still didn't seem to understand that his son wanted to talk, which is how I took it.

[Mandyhello · Rating 4 out of 5]

sad in several ways but redemptive

[Lauri Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and simple story of father and son learning to be together after a divorce. A new parrot helps, sort of.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This will be a nice one for when we read about different kinds of families. Recommended.

[Belle McCartan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unconditionally love between a father and a son.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't make your kid let your bird loose before you let them know you care for them more than your pet.