Birdie For Now

By helping a small, abused dog, Dickon transforms himself.

Monkey Beach meets Green Grass, Running Water meets The Beachcombers in this wise and funny novel by a debut Cree author Birdie is a darkly comic and moving first novel about the universal experience of recovering from wounds of the past, informed by the lore and knowledge of Cree traditions. Bernice Meetoos, a Cree woman, leaves her home in Northern Alberta following tragedy and travels to Gibsons, BC. She is on something of a vision quest, seeking to understand the messages from The Frugal Gourmet (one of the only television shows available on CBC North) that come to her in her dreams. She is also driven by the leftover teenaged desire to meet Pat Johns, who played Jesse on The Beachcombers, because he is, as she says, a working, healthy Indian man. Bernice heads for Molly’s Reach to find answers but they are not the ones she expected. With the arrival in Gibsons of her Auntie Val and her cousin Skinny Freda, Bernice finds the strength to face the past and draw the lessons from her dreams that she was never fully taught in life. Part road trip, dream quest and travelogue, the novel touches on the universality of women's experience, regardless of culture or race.

When Matthew Papuchis, a father of three on the cusp of his fortieth birthday, found himself unemployed for the first time in more than 25 years, he battled self-doubt as he looked for hope and happiness-and a new job-amid a global pandemic. During this trying time, while continuing to pursue new career paths, he discovered the hope and happiness he was seeking in an unsuspecting place-nature paths. And via an unsuspecting source-birds. Little ones and big ones and the preserves, parks, and wildlife refuges they called home, all within miles of Matt's house in Plantation, Florida. He discovered by exploring a relatively unknown world and taking the time to think and reflect, while in search of those hidden gems, he found peace, clarity, and himself. Matt also learned lessons that apply to everyday life. Each chapter focuses on one lesson, including those on perspective and positivity. Above all, he learned to never lose hope in the possibilities that are out there, for himself and all of us. The book will make you laugh, cry and leave you with nuggets of wisdom and inspiration as you learn what the little-and big-birdies told him. Advanced Praise for A Little Birdie Told Me... "This inspiring book has something for everyone. Matt has masterfully and seamlessly weaved his story into life lessons, some provided from the difficult part of his journey. A Little Birdie Told Me... will resonate with bird lovers, baseball fans, and all those in between." - Tim Kurkjian, New York Times Best-Selling Author and Major League Baseball Analyst for ESPN "A Little Birdie Told Me...is a book that offers inspiration and valuable learnings for all readers, including business leaders and those who want to become a more empathetic and understanding executive. The lessons Matthew shares during his journey of self-reflection are relatable and applicable to all of us and I recommend this book to fellow hoteliers, parents, and citizens of the world." -Hervé J.L. Humler, Chairman Emeritus, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company "A delightful read - Matt has such an easy way with words. He skillfully weaves important life lessons around his newfound passion for birds, discovered during the pandemic lockdown. We can all relate to the wise lessons in this book and laugh at some of the amusing experiences Matt shared. By the end of this book, you will feel like you and Matt are old friends." - Peter G. Kaestner, World's No. 1 eBirder with 9,294 Species Observed "A Little Birdie Told Me... is an absorbing set of life lessons forged from a journey through nature and self-reflection. Whether in crisis or calm, this book demonstrates the power of being more fully attendant to naturally occurring beauty, tranquility, and majesty. If you're ready to venture down an insightful path to peace, purposefulness, and success, it's time to step into this book." -Joseph Michelli, PhD, New York Times No. 1 Best-Selling author of books like Stronger Through Adversity, The Airbnb Way, and Leading the Starbucks Way "A Little Birdie Told Me...is not about COVID, losing your job, or birding. COVID offers context, job loss represents the unexpected challenges life can throw at any of us, and birding illustrates how being receptive to the wonders of the world can enrich our lives and feed our souls. The narrative is honest, vulnerable, and inspiring. Papuchis is masterful at inviting readers to embrace the work on their terms. His approach is consistent with the sentiment expressed by Kahlil Gibran's famous quote: "If he is indeed wise, he does not bid you enter the house of his wisdom, but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind." Enjoy this wonderful read and buy a copy for someone you love." -Leo Bottary, author of three books, including Peennovation: What Peer Advisory Groups Can Teach Us About Building High-Performing Teams

Dickon and his mother move into a new house in a neighborhood, where he longs for new friends and a dog of his own. Called Birdie by his mother, who worries when he's out of her sight for a moment, Dickon is delighted when he finds the Humane Society is on the other side of the fence behind their house. But only by disobeying his mother can he get close to a real dog. Illustrations.

“An atmospheric, multilayered, sex-positive romance.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) After an awkward first encounter, Birdie and Daniel are forced to work together in a Seattle hotel where a famous author leads a mysterious and secluded life in this romantic contemporary novel from the author of Alex, Approximately. Mystery-book aficionado Birdie Lindberg has an overactive imagination. Raised in isolation and homeschooled by strict grandparents, she’s cultivated a whimsical fantasy life in which she plays the heroic detective and every stranger is a suspect. But her solitary world expands when she takes a job the summer before college, working the graveyard shift at a historic Seattle hotel. In her new job, Birdie hopes to blossom from introverted dreamer to brave pioneer, and gregarious Daniel Aoki volunteers to be her guide. The hotel’s charismatic young van driver shares the same nocturnal shift and patronizes the waterfront Moonlight Diner where Birdie waits for the early morning ferry after work. Daniel also shares her appetite for intrigue, and he’s stumbled upon a real-life mystery: a famous reclusive writer—never before seen in public—might be secretly meeting someone at the hotel. To uncover the writer’s puzzling identity, Birdie must come out of her shell…discovering that the most confounding mystery of all may be her growing feelings for the elusive riddle that is Daniel.

It's time for Birdie's very first haircut, and the miniature fashionista yearns for more than just a simple trim. Should she choose an updo, a perm, or a ballerina bun? She looks through pictures, books, lots of magazines - even Mommy's yearbook - to find the best new look, and she and Mommy head to the salon. Her haircut looks fantastic, but begins to sag later on at the playground... because Birdie doesn't just love fashion - she likes to run and jump and play! In the end, Mommy reminds her that the most perfect Birdie look is the one that lets her be herself. Sujean Rim's beautiful watercolor and fabric collages will have fashionistas of every age giggling as she showcases Birdie with iconic hairstyles from decades past. Another delightful adventure in the Birdie series that offers a playful balance of fashion, fun, and heart!

Tomorrow is Birdie's first day of school and she is just SO nervous. What will her teacher be like? What should she bring? What should she WEAR? When Birdie walks into her brand-new classroom . . . oh my! A whole new world opens up as she discovers all the fun and adventure that school has to offer. Sujean Rim has crafted another gorgeously illustrated Birdie adventure, featuring a brand-new "big girl" moment as Birdie conquers her back-to-school jitters and discovers that learning new things is always in fashion!

From Stonewall Award winner Brandy Colbert comes a novel about first love, family, and hidden secrets that will stay with you long after turning the last page. Dove "Birdie" Randolph works hard to be the perfect daughter and follow the path her parents have laid out for her: She quit playing her beloved soccer, she keeps her nose buried in textbooks, and she's on track to finish high school at the top of her class. But then Birdie falls hard for Booker, a sweet boy with a troubled past . . . whom she knows her parents will never approve of. When her estranged aunt Carlene returns to Chicago and moves into the family's apartment above their hair salon, Birdie notices the tension building at home. Carlene is sweet, friendly, and open-minded -- she's also spent decades in and out of treatment facilities for addiction. As Birdie becomes closer to both Booker and Carlene, she yearns to spread her wings. But when long-buried secrets rise to the surface, everything she's known to be true is turned upside down.