Writing is for the birds

PRINCETON — It’s probably safe to say the majority of authors write their books to be read by people. However, one Princeton man has written a book for the birds, specifically for parrots.

Bob Morrow says children have had their share of rhythm and rhyme books for years. Dogs and cats have also had their fair share of books. But for parrots, that’s another story, he said.

According to Morrow, his “Polly Wants a Poem!: Poetry and Prose for Parrots” is the first-ever-read-aloud book of rhymes for birds. The hardback 32-page book is full of color pictures of parrots, so “Crackers and Polly” will see themselves doing parrot-stuff on every page, he said.

“This is hardly as wacky as it sounds,” Morrow said.

Research, especially that of Dr. Irene Pepperberg and her African Grey parrot, Alex, has proven parrots can not only learn words and concepts but can also use them appropriately, Morrow said.

“Parrots, just like children, first learn the sounds of words before they learn the meanings,” Morrow said. “Parrots thrive on attention and companionship, so what better way to spend quality time than to curl up with a bird buddy and a good read-aloud book?”

 Each of the rhymes in “Polly Wants a Poem” tells a short parrot-centric story, crafted with consonants and vowels that most parrots can replicate, Morrow said. His own family’s African Grey parrot, Harley, has already learned most of his favorite poem, Morrow said.

“Polly Wants a Poem” is published by Boxing Day Books, an independent press started in Princeton in 2006. Morrow, a retired journalist, serves as a submissions editor and marketing director for the publishing company.

The publisher of Boxing Day Books is Morrow’s wife, Paula Morrow, who is a writer and former longtime editor with the Cricket Magazine Group and Cricket books.

Princeton resident Ron McCutchan, long-time art director for Cricket Magazine Group, served as art director and designer for “Polly Wants a Poem.” He also did the cover design as well as the page layouts.

Morrow said his parrot, Harley, served as a “guest editor” and helped choose photos for the new book. Photo submissions were received from England, the Netherlands and from across the United States.