{"title":"Michael Steven Smith","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to the captivating world of \u003cstrong\u003eMichael Steven Smith\u003c\/strong\u003e, an author known for his engaging travel narratives and adventurous tales. Journey through his imaginative storytelling as you explore the collection, which includes enthralling books like \u003cem\u003eParrot Tales\u003c\/em\u003e. With a knack for weaving intriguing plots set against exotic backdrops, Michael Steven Smith invites readers on a thrilling ride filled with unexpected twists and colourful characters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSmith's work shines a spotlight on diverse cultures and picturesque landscapes, bringing each destination to life with vivid detail. Whether you're an avid traveller or a lover of armchair adventures, his books are sure to transport you across the globe and beyond. Delve into the pages of his stories where every chapter promises a new and exciting adventure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDiscover the magic of travel and the thrill of adventure through the well-crafted narratives of Michael Steven Smith, and let his books inspire your own wanderlust and sense of exploration.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"parrot-tales-by-debby-smith-9781682193136","title":"Parrot Tales","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eParrot Tales\u003c\/em\u003e introduces us to Charlie Parker, an African Grey Parrot who became part of Debby and Michael Smith's family three decades ago. He joined them at the insistence of their young son, Eli, who found him in a downtown Manhattan bird shop. Since then, Charlie has been an integral and vocal member of the family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCharlie's vocabulary is astonishingly diverse and colourful. He can be demanding, often squawking imperiously, \"Clean my cage\" or \"Want some water.\" At times, he can be brutally direct, as when he warned an aggressive business associate yelling at Debby with, \"I'm going to kick your ass, you sonofabitch.\" Mischievously, he has been known to meow at a neighbour's bewildered dog in the elevator.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCharlie is a survivor, having endured the collapse of the World Trade Center which filled the Smiths' apartment with toxic dust, leaving him to recover on an IV. Often an entertainer, his songbook spans from \"Home on the Range\" to \"The Yellow Rose of Texas.\" Most of the time, he is affectionate, enjoying the chance to hang upside down against his cage and demand tickles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThrough the tales of Charlie in this concise and charming book, we come to realise that parrots are intelligent and loving creatures. As noted by the renowned avian scientist Professor Irene Pepperberg in her introduction, parrots cannot meaningfully be owned by humans but only enjoyed as companions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47072351846636,"sku":"9781682193136","price":39.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/25720423482786.jpg?v=1765096007"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/michael-steven-smith.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}