BARNYARD BUDDIES

A farmhouse parrot contemplates its raison d’être in Cobb’s picture book.

Perry, a plump, green-headed, red-bodied parrot, lives on a farm chock-full of animals. Rory the rooster crows every morning. The chickens lay eggs. The cow gives milk and the sheep provides wool. But what does Perry do? Observing all the activity around him, Perry wonders about his purpose in life. Then, his squawked mimicry and animal impressions (mooing, neighing, clucking) make the little farm boy and his sister laugh. Perry realizes he’s found his calling: to make others happy. The author narrates Perry’s tale via ABCB rhyming quatrains, presented rather awkwardly atop single- and double-page illustrations that leave insufficient blank space for the purpose. Cobb’s delivery is jaunty, but the rhymes, though fun, tend to shoehorn the narrative in: “‘What is it, what is it, / what can I do?’ / Perry said to himself. / ‘Should I live in a zoo?’” Readers may well wonder whether living at a zoo is any more purposeful than living at a farm (or if the sleeping dog, or the cat and mouse playing chase, offer meaningful contrast to Perry’s existence.) Thankfully, Pentangelo’s digital illustrations deftly capture the actions described and contain a treasure trove of background details—each turn of the page explodes in a riot of color and chaos. The art alone will afford plenty to occupy young minds.

A bright and busy introduction to farm life and existential philosophy.