Though written for children, this book will appeal to pet lovers of all ages. It tells the story of Jake, an 11-year-old boy who adopts Little Jimmy, a budgie bird, born without wings. Jake learns to help Little Jimmy live and feel like a very special bird. Later, a rescued baby chick is literally dumped into Jake's hands. "Thing," as Jake originally names him, soon insists on his own name, becoming "Louie." Eventually Big Louie grows into a huge and very smart raven. Though he didn't want the raven at first, Jake soon realizes that Big Louie has become an important part of the family who comes to the rescue when Little Jimmy gets into dangerous situations. One adventure follows another and the three become fast friends who really love each other. Author Ian Moore-Morrans had ample experience raising his own Jimmy, a cockatiel, from newly-hatched to adulthood. Ian has used that knowledge in portraying realistic characterizations of both birds, including intelligence, comic actions, dependence and independence, plus an ability to "talk" and a knack for finding a very special place within a family. Co-author Gayle Moore-Morrans, also Ian's wife and editor, has added her own touch to the story, giving a spiritual dimension to Jake's family and his decisions in caring for and loving his pets. For that special "kid's touch," Ian and Gayle invited two of their great-grandchildren to collaborate on Jake, Little Jimmy & Big Louie. Grandson Leland German was their age-appropriate consultant and Granddaughter Hannah German served as the illustrator.
About the Author: Ian Moore-Morrans, the main author of this book, is presently 82 years old. He lives with his wife, editor and co-author, Gayle Moore-Morrans, and their dog, a shipoo named Misty, in Vernon, British Columbia. He is a retired machinist who emigrated from Scotland to Canada in 1965 with his late wife Mary and two young daughters, Audrey and Shirley. Ian had always wanted to be an author, but life, music-making and work had come in the way of fulfilling that dream. Finally, at age 63, he started writing what was to become this very book, based in part on the knowledge he had gained while raising his own bird, a cockatiel also named Jimmy. He went on to write many more stories. So far he has published a how-to machining manual, Metal Machining Made Easy; and, with his wife and editor, Ga "yle Moore-Morrans, a novel, Beyond the Phantom Battle: Mystery at Loch Ashie; a memoir, From Poverty to Poverty: A Scotsman Encounters Canada; and this children's chapter book, Jake, Little Jimmy & Big Louie.