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Reviews
Penguin the Magpie: The Odd Little Bird Who Saved a Family by Bradley Trevor Greive, Cameron Bloom
lauren62's review against another edition
sad
fast-paced
3.0
It felt like more of an article than a book, I would have liked more depth to the story, the only emotion I really got was the description of the accident and Sam's note at the end. I lovely story but I felt I needed more.
kriste's review against another edition
5.0
I found out about the book from the movie. This story works either way: book or movie first :) Great photos, great message, loving family!
saintpepper's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
3.5
ianmcnamara's review against another edition
5.0
After watching the movie on Netflix yesterday i felt inspired to read the book. I found the brutal honesty of the story both painful and uplifting to read. However it was refreshing to read such an honest account of the families struggle specially the honesty of sam’s message. Two many people feel a need to put on a front but in her message Sam admitted truly how she feels, despite leading a reasonable quality of life and coming so far being able to admit not being at peace with her condition is something we can all learn from. As a person with a disability myself I appreciated the tips she gave to both the person with a disability and the family members on how to handle the disability as the person with the disability and how to positively help the person with the disability as a non disabled person. I have had my disability my whole life so I can’t imagine what’ that must be like for somebody to suddenly become disabled. If I meet someone who has become blind quite recently I try my best to be empathetic and offer practical help rather than trying to understand what they are going through because the truth is I have never been any different so for me it is normal, therefore I’m not able to fully get how they are feeling. Yes, I can understand some of the challenges they face because I Face them myself, as a person living with the same disability however I cannot understand them from an emotional level as it is different Having been born with a disability to acquiring it later on. Everything she said about how to treat somebody with a disability completely resonated. I myself don’t llike being called an inspiration, i like being known as just me. A wonderful story filled with honesty and some fantastic practical advice.
madiroo91's review
4.0
Such an awesome little book. The photography throughout the book was beautiful. A sad and raw story about a family overcoming obstacles and learning to live their new life. Then Penguin arrives and their lives are forever changed. Hoping the movie is good!
leeena's review against another edition
4.0
4,5 stars <3
Great insides of a woman who fights her way back into everyday life. Gorgeous photographs along the way and touching moments.
I can't exactly say what is missing for the last 0,5 star but there is something not there.
Great insides of a woman who fights her way back into everyday life. Gorgeous photographs along the way and touching moments.
I can't exactly say what is missing for the last 0,5 star but there is something not there.
busyreading's review against another edition
5.0
This is an amazing, remarkable and heartbreaking story about a wonderful family who have been through a horrific ordeal and together with the support of one another they manage to get through the toughest of times.
Cameron and his wife Sam loved to travel which they did quite a bit of before they had their children. Once they started having children they found they didn’t have quite as much time to travel, but would when the opportunity arose. As a family holiday they choose to go to Thailand, but it is on this particular holiday where Sam has an unfortunate fall, but this fall nearly ends her life and will change her and her family's life forever. Sam fights to get through each day life as she once knew it will never return and trying to deal with that alone is more than she can bare. The day one of her sons discovers a baby magpie that has fallen out of its nest was the day that would change all of their lives, but this time in a positive way. They call the baby magpie Penguin yes, you read that correct who has a broken wing and over the next few months they nurture the magpie and save its life. In the meantime unbeknown to the little magpie she is helping a family heal and become the family they once were.
This story blew me away and I don’t imagine I’ll ever forget it. What a beautiful family the Bloom family are and let’s not forget that special magpie, Penguin. Whilst reading this story my heart truly went out to this family especially, Sam. You are one incredibly strong lady who I’m sure will achieve any goal you set yourself and yes, I have no doubt it will be with the wonderful support of your family. An Inspiring and heartbreaking true story which I couldn’t put down and the pictures throughout this book are so beneficial. Highly recommended.
Cameron and his wife Sam loved to travel which they did quite a bit of before they had their children. Once they started having children they found they didn’t have quite as much time to travel, but would when the opportunity arose. As a family holiday they choose to go to Thailand, but it is on this particular holiday where Sam has an unfortunate fall, but this fall nearly ends her life and will change her and her family's life forever. Sam fights to get through each day life as she once knew it will never return and trying to deal with that alone is more than she can bare. The day one of her sons discovers a baby magpie that has fallen out of its nest was the day that would change all of their lives, but this time in a positive way. They call the baby magpie Penguin yes, you read that correct who has a broken wing and over the next few months they nurture the magpie and save its life. In the meantime unbeknown to the little magpie she is helping a family heal and become the family they once were.
This story blew me away and I don’t imagine I’ll ever forget it. What a beautiful family the Bloom family are and let’s not forget that special magpie, Penguin. Whilst reading this story my heart truly went out to this family especially, Sam. You are one incredibly strong lady who I’m sure will achieve any goal you set yourself and yes, I have no doubt it will be with the wonderful support of your family. An Inspiring and heartbreaking true story which I couldn’t put down and the pictures throughout this book are so beneficial. Highly recommended.