Say Something, Perico

K-Gr 2—Perico is a parrot in a pet store with a lot to say. Unfortunately for his clueless and English-speaking prospective owners, everything he has to say is in Spanish. It isn't until a bilingual family finds him that they realize just how clever he really is. Perico shows a wide range of emotions, and Rébora's illustrations are bright and animated, reflecting the bird's ups and downs. While the story is ultimately about cultural differences and celebrates Perico's language abilities, there is also a dark side to it as ignorant adults acquire and return a pet for its inability to meet their expectations. However, the upbeat ending and a personality-packed parrot will delight youngsters. A glossary of Spanish words offers help for readers who don't speak Perico's language.—Sarah Townsend, Norfolk Public Library, VA