Tweezer Beezer

This book is a lovely story about a family and their adopted pet - a Mynah bird. Kids love animal stories, and this true story of a bird (a very intelligent bird, at that!) relates the humorous and poignant moments in the life of Tweezer Beezer and his family. The book begins in Hawaii, and follows the family (and their bird) as they move to the east coast. The author is also a wonderful artist, and his paintings and photographs can be found throughout the book. The story ends with Tweezer's death, but along with the grieving there is also rejoicing and humor. Younger children will enjoy listening and looking at the colorful illustrations, older kids will love reading this great pet story on their own, and adults will relate to the father's love for his children and his understanding of the importance of this sweet little bird in their family's life. I cried a little, and smiled a lot!! - Laurie Cockerell This fascinating book needs to be on every teacher's and counselor's desk. The enjoyable, easy to read book covers so many topics that young people need to discuss: nature, animals, humor, grief, family dynamics, and even environmental issues. Teachers and counselors will discover that this book will be a valuable tool for the classroom. I guarantee that students will want to hear the story more than once! - Tom Carr This is a wonderful true story that is easy to read and not too long. I live in Hawaii and rescued a mynah a few years back just out of the egg and in dire circumstances. This story came close to my heart in relating to how intelligent and sensitive these birds are. The relationship with Tweezer and this man and his sons is amazing. Too often birds as pets are left in cages to be forgotten. Tweezers story is not that... It is one where his freedom to come and go only showed that time with his family was an extraordinary bond of unconditional love. For anyone that has rescued an animal and formed a special bond this story will take you on a wonderful journey of emotions.You will need to get out the kleenex in part but it is well worth it. The author is a well known artist and author whose own personal story of courage and survival from the 1956 Hungarian uprising in the book A knock in the Night is well worth reading. I especially liked that this book included personal photos and some of the authors artwork. For me the story of Tweezer Beezer was a reminder of how special the gift of Gods creatures are to us and our commission to love and care for what we have been given. There is no stronger attractor in the universe than unconditional love. - C. M. Harris