Say Something, Perico

September 12, 2011
A story about a (quite literally) misunderstood pet store parrot has a lot to say about cultural assumptions and assimilation. Harris (Tally Cat Keeps Track) structures her story over several days, using a repeated format. On the first day, a woman tries to get Perico to say, “Polly wants a cracker.” He can’t, but offers an “agua,” instead, which the storeowner mistakes for “opera.” Won over, the woman takes Perico to the opera that evening, with disastrous results, and returns him to the store. The process repeats, with Perico’s Spanish words misunderstood (“mal” for “mall,” “sí” for “sea”) by potential (but unsatisfied) owners. When a bilingual boy recognizes Perico’s ability, the cycle is broken at last. Rébora’s naïf paintings are bright, friendly, and relaxed, but there’s an undeniable sadness to the story, too, particularly when the adults call Perico “silly” or “dumb” for his inability to speak English, as well as scenes in which he practices English phrases by night in a darkened cage, trying to fit in. The ending, though, makes it clear that Perico’s not just bonito but inteligente, too. Ages 4–8.

December 1, 2011

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 Rebora'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

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2011

Bored with a parrot's life in a pet store, Spanish-speaking Perico wants a permanent home.

The pet store man assures a female customer that Perico "can say some words." After the birds's unsuccessful attempt at "Polly wants a cracker," though, the woman turns to leave in disgust. Perceptive readers may notice that Perico squawks "Agua!" to call attention to his empty water dish. The pet store man convinces the female customer that Perico is attempting to say the word "opera," and she buys the bird. Things don't go well when she takes Perico to the opera that evening, and she returns him. The pet store man tells Perico that he'll have to learn some phrases if he wants a new home, giving him "I am fine today" as an example. The bird stays up that night practicing the phrase. After two other failed attempts, a little Latino boy and his mother visit the store, and Perico uses all of his new phrases to impress the boy. The boy ignores the bird completely until Perico starts squawking in fluent Spanish. The bilingual boy immediately wants the bird, who speaks Spanish and English just as he does. Rébora's humorous illustrations and the happy ending help balance the mostly clueless, often rude adults in the book.

A welcome, if a little long, tale of belonging and bilingualism. (Spanish glossary) (Picture book. 4-8)

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