Tag Michael Parkin

Biguana (and his best friend Pinto)

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Biguana (and his best friend Pinto)
Michael Parkin
Flying Eye Books

Biguana and Pinto hatched from their respective eggs just two minutes apart and have been best friends ever since. However as Iguana grows in size, so does the attention he receives. He revels in this attention and starts performing all manner of acrobatic stunts to gain even more admirers. Unfortunately in so doing, he forgets all about his best friend and even turns down Pinto’s excited invitation to see his new scooter, in favour of his new friends. Imagine how lonely this makes little Pinto feel, especially with Biguana’s popularity growing day by day. It’s a sad Pinto who scoots off to do some tricks alone; or so he thinks. Suddenly a small crab starts to clap its claws, seagulls cheer his somersaults and they all splash happily into the sea.

The following morning, Biguana waits on his rock contemplating the multitude of boats that will soon arrive to watch his stunts. Yes, a lot of boats do come but the crowds of people aboard are not cheering and calling for Biguana. A sudden realisation dawns: I’ve been so foolish, he thinks to himself, poor Pinto must have felt like this when I was showing off. Time to put things right between the two of them, but despite his diminutive size, will Pinto be big-hearted enough to accept an apology from Biguana?

Fame and fortune can be short-lived and are no substitute for the lasting nature of true friendship – that’s the lesson Biguana learns in this story. Michael Parkin’s scenes of the couple’s comical capers and the flotilla of fans provide plenty to chuckle over as the story unfolds.
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Wrong Time Rooster

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Wrong Time Rooster
Michael Parkin
Flying Eye Books

There’s excitement down on the farm when a large crate is delivered. With the animals gathered around, Farmer Tony opens the lid to reveal a rooster. Said bird wastes no time in introducing himself as Ronnie. “No more sleeping in late,” the farmer tells them but at dinnertime that evening there comes a resounding ‘COCK-A-DOOODLE-DOOO’; but Ronnie fails to crow the following morning. As a result, the animals remain fast asleep.

After a whole week of wrongly timed crowing, much to the delight of the farmyard entourage, Farmer Tony decides that he needs to have a talk with Ronnie about his efforts.

Apologetically, the rooster explains that he’s been sacked from every job he’s ever had on account of his badly timed crowing. “But nobody ever taught me how to tell the time!” he reveals. Farmer Tony’s parting comment leaves Ronnie convinced that he’ll be re-crated and moved on yet again.

However, the silent farmyard no longer feels right to the animals, nor indeed to the farmer. Rather than sending Ronnie packing, they collaborate on something much better for them all: teamwork rules and that team includes rooster, Ronnie. No more crowing at the wrong time on the farm – or make that almost never …

With rumbustious illustrations, a main character that will endear himself to listeners, its playful narrative that reads aloud well and lots of opportunities for audience participation in the COCK-A-DOODLE-DOOs and WRONG TIME ROOSTER refrains, this is a story that young children will enjoying giggling over, time and again.