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1st out of 17 books
—
4 voters
Alex the Parrot: No Ordinary Bird: A True Story
In 1977, graduate student Irene Pepperberg walked into a pet store and bought a year-old African grey parrot. Because she was going to study him, she decided to call him Alex--short for Avian Learning EXperiment. At that time, most scientists thought that the bigger the brain, the smarter the creature; they studied great apes and dolphins. African greys, with their walnut-...more
Hardcover, 48 pages
Published
October 9th 2012
by Knopf Books for Young Readers
(first published January 1st 2010)
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Richie’s Picks: ALEX THE PARROT: NO ORDINARY BIRD by Stephanie Spinner and Meilo So, ill., Knopf, October 2012, 48p., ISBN: 978-0-375-86846-7
“A-well-a bird, bird, bird, b-bird's the word
A-well-a bird, bird, bird, well the bird is the word
A-well-a bird, bird, b-bird's the word
A-well-a don't you know about the bird?
Well, everybody knows that the bird is the word!
A-well-a bird, bird, b-bird's the word”
--The Trashmen (1963)
Alex was a bird who knew words. In 1977, grad student Irene Pepperberg purcha...more
“A-well-a bird, bird, bird, b-bird's the word
A-well-a bird, bird, bird, well the bird is the word
A-well-a bird, bird, b-bird's the word
A-well-a don't you know about the bird?
Well, everybody knows that the bird is the word!
A-well-a bird, bird, b-bird's the word”
--The Trashmen (1963)
Alex was a bird who knew words. In 1977, grad student Irene Pepperberg purcha...more
I remember when Alex and Me came out in 2008. The story of the smartest bird in the world was bound to be rewritten for children and I think Stephanie Spinner has done a good job of it, especially for a 2nd to 5th grade audience and reluctant readers. With lots of colorful illustrations and a short, clear narrative, this story has major appeal for animal lovers and kids who only want TRUE stories. It might be interesting to compare this to The One and Only Ivan in terms of how animal intelligenc...more
Alex the Parrot
Lexile: 680
I liked this book because it is a true story about a parrot and his trainer. The parrot is an African gray parrot, who was named Alex by his trainer, Irene. The parrot’s name (Alex) stood for Avian Learning Experiment because Irene wanted to prove that birds are highly intelligent at a time that most people thought birds were dumb because they have small brains. I liked learning more about parrots, but the best part was reading about the relationship between Alex and Ir...more
Lexile: 680
I liked this book because it is a true story about a parrot and his trainer. The parrot is an African gray parrot, who was named Alex by his trainer, Irene. The parrot’s name (Alex) stood for Avian Learning Experiment because Irene wanted to prove that birds are highly intelligent at a time that most people thought birds were dumb because they have small brains. I liked learning more about parrots, but the best part was reading about the relationship between Alex and Ir...more
Reviewed at: http://www.teachmentortexts.com/2012/...
Through my fascination with apes, I have learned quite a bit about language acquisition, intelligence and apes. This nonfiction picture book takes a look at these topics from a whole different direction- parrots. Growing up my father always wanted a parrot and specifically an African Grey because of its intelligence. This was my extent of knowledge of these animals until picking up this book and I will say that I am now so intrigued by African...more
Through my fascination with apes, I have learned quite a bit about language acquisition, intelligence and apes. This nonfiction picture book takes a look at these topics from a whole different direction- parrots. Growing up my father always wanted a parrot and specifically an African Grey because of its intelligence. This was my extent of knowledge of these animals until picking up this book and I will say that I am now so intrigued by African...more
Irene Pepperberg's book Alex and Me, an adult memoir on the same subjects, is perfectly reconstructed for young readers and beautifully illustrated by Meilo So in this must-have narrative non-fiction picture book.
I've never been a person fascinated by birds (don't tell my mother-in-law and nephew---one of which will likely read this review), but Pepperberg's story elevates our understanding of animal intelligence such that even folks like me are intrigued.
A much needed addition to non-fiction p...more
I've never been a person fascinated by birds (don't tell my mother-in-law and nephew---one of which will likely read this review), but Pepperberg's story elevates our understanding of animal intelligence such that even folks like me are intrigued.
A much needed addition to non-fiction p...more
In the 1970s, a graduate student named Irene Pepperberg walked into a pet store to purchase an African grey bird, who was about 1 year old. She brought him back to her lab and called hime Alex--short for Avian Learning Experiment. Irene wanted to study the intelligence of birds and believed that birds like Alex were capable of learning concepts. This book chronicles their 30 year relationship, and shows how not only how intelligent Alex was, but also how emotionally complex he was as well. This...more
Intriguing account of a biologist and her study of an African Grey parrot. Over the course of three decades, Alex the parrot learns enough words to communicate basic concepts (more words than chimpanzees, and spoken clearly). He also understands sophisticated concepts such as zero or nothingness, and demonstrates a fun personality. The book tells the story clearly, explaining the significance of this scientific research to children. One can't help wondering what other types of communication migh...more
In 1977, Irene Pepperberg bought a one year old African grey parrot. She named him Alex and began to work with him to test his abilities. Alex proved to be remarkably intelligent! He could count, add, subtract, recognize shapes and colors, and express his feelings. Pepperberg's book, Alex and Me, which documented her experiences working with her beloved friend was a bestseller. Alex the Parrot was adapted for young readers. It's a great true story and will help children to understand and learn a...more
This was a book that I was surprised I loved so much. This story is about Irene Pepperberg who had an African grey parrot named Alex. Through Alex, she proved the intelligence of these parrots. I had never heard of either Irene or Alex before reading this book. I love books like this where authors show the importance of lesser known people, and in this case, animals. I know this will be a much loved story by students. I believe this will also inspire some students to find clips of Alex on YouTub...more
Picture book version of the story of Alex, an African grey parrot who became famous for his intelligence. Alex was taught how to add and subtract, recognize shapes, sizes, and colors, and speak and understand hundreds of words. There is a lot of text on each page, so this is probably more suited to 1st – 3rd graders, though the brightly colored illustrations would make this a great read-aloud for patient (or interested) younger kids.
Cried as I read this one... At work... This is a great description of the scientific process, as well as the story of an amazing animal, and a special friendship. Alex was more than just his name: Avian Learning EXperiment. He was a friend; an intelligent being.
My personal experience with pets and animals in general places me in the school of thought shared by the scientists mentioned in this book. I loved it! Love the message...
My personal experience with pets and animals in general places me in the school of thought shared by the scientists mentioned in this book. I loved it! Love the message...
Choose this book for a lower reader who needs a meaty and engaging story of inspiration. Alex the Grey Parrot and his trainer Irene Pepperberg set a new bar for communication between humans and animals. Clearly Alex did more than "parrot" the English language--he demonstrated thought and wit in his communications. The book is well written and well illustrated.
Biography may not seem an appropriate label for a parrot, but Alex deserves it.ALEX stands for Avian Learning Experiment. It's easy to feel sentimental about Alex (if you've never seen him in action, check YouTube). He deserves respect for the intelligent parrot he was, not as a human-wannabe, and this book delivcers that respect, including the back matter.
The story of one of the first African grey parrot that is taught to communicate with humans. Alex tested at about the intelligence of a 5-year-old.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yGOgs...
http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video...
http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yGOgs...
http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video...
http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow...
This is a wonderful, colorful book that will introduce youngsters to Alex, an African gray parrot who helped change everything we know about bird intelligence and animal cognition. Thanks to Alex, we no longer are unaware that feathered friends aren't "bird brains." His relationship to the people around him is also touching and a fine example of interspecies friendship.
I was thrilled to read this kids' version of the story of Alex, an African Grey parrot with the intelligence of a five-year-old child. Alex understood the concept of "zero"-- something not even chimps can do--and made up his own words, such as "banerry," a combination of "banana" and "cherry" to describe an apple. Amazing!
The Avian Learning Experiment is memorialized for the younger student in this story about their most famous participant, Alex the African Grey parrot. Only one thing is lacking and that would be a list of resources to steer the reader to further study of animal behavior and communication.
In 1977, Irene Pepperberg bought an African grey parrot and named him Alex, short for Avian Learning Experiment. Over time, Alex's intelligence surprised everyone as he learned to count, add, subtract, recognize shapes, sizes, colors and speak and understand hundred of words.
Reviewer 21
Reviewer 21
The life story of an amazing bird with the intelligence of a preschooler. Text reads like a story and is divided into chapters. Vibrant illustrations rendered in watercolor, gouache, colored pencils and ink appear on almost every page.
A great read for animal lovers!
A great read for animal lovers!
I really liked this non-fiction picture book about the research done on language and learning. It is definitely geared for older children. Lots of text (divided into chapters though still a picture book). I would probably recommend it for children grades 3 to 5.
What a beautiful true story. I love reading a book to my children that not only shows them about love and respect toward all creatures, but also teaches them something new. I had no idea parrots were so intelligent. Thank you for the lesson.
Really fascinating true story of a scientist who worked with a gray parrot to discover how intelligent they really are. Very nice watercolor, color ink, gouache and colored pencil illustrations.
Interesting nonfiction story about animal intelligence, but I would love to see some sources notes or a blurb in the author's note explaining where she got the information for the book.
I had never heard of Alex the parrot, even though I should have, given the years of his existence. But I loved this story!
This is a great book about animal communication and an african grey parrot. Very cool, also great illustrations.
This book made me want an African Gray like Alex. I fell in love with Alex! The pictures in this book are fun too.
Great story about an extraordinarily intelligent grey parrot and the friendship between he and his researcher.
Outstanding science trade book, ages 8+, Meilo So illustrator, parrot, intelligence,
A beautifully illustrated book about Alex the African Grey parrot.
Ideal for ages 4 to 7 (imo), but also enjoyable for older folks.
Ideal for ages 4 to 7 (imo), but also enjoyable for older folks.
Interesting and well written story about animal communications research.
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I was born in Davenport, Iowa, and grew up in Rockaway Beach, New York. I read straight through my childhood, with breaks for food, sleep, and the bathroom. I went to college in Bennington, Vermont, moved to New York City, and took a job in publishing so I could get paid for reading. I read so much bad fiction that I needed a break, so I moved to London, and from there I traveled to Morocco, Iran,...more
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Oct 22, 2012 05:18pm