ALIGHT

Wild parrots navigate the sprawling landscape of Los Angeles in this vibrant picture book celebrating one of urban nature’s most colorful secrets.

Roaming from the Hollywood Hills to backyard pools, power lines, and sun-drenched beaches, Torres and Magnell’s tale illuminates the little-known phenomenon of feral parrots thriving across Los Angeles—and beyond. Rather than following a single flock, they capture fleeting, jewel-bright glimpses of these birds woven into the fabric of everyday city life, a framing that feels true to nature. The writing matches the subject effectively: Short, percussive lines—“They squawk. They screech. They swoop”— build to longer, more wondering sentences that invite readers to pause and think. The prose has a cumulative, almost incantatory rhythm that mirrors the birds’ restless energy before describing how these creatures came to belong somewhere they seemingly shouldn’t. The illustrations are a standout: Pages pulse with magentas, teals, bright greens, and warm golds that evoke the hazy magic of Southern California light, the parrots glowing electric green against dusky pink skies and lush canopy scenes. The backmatter is a highlight, offering a map of wild parrot populations across the United States alongside context on how these colonies came to be—material that will be useful for curious young readers and classroom discussions alike.

Certain to have youngsters scanning their own neighborhoods for flashes of green.