Penguin Bloom is a heartwarming true story about a family's journey of healing, centered around a little magpie named Penguin. The Bloom family, led by Sam Bloom, faces a life-altering challenge when Sam suffers a severe accident, leaving her paralyzed from the chest down. This event shakes the family's world, as Sam struggles with her physical limitations and emotional turmoil.
One day, the family rescues a baby magpie they name Penguin, who had fallen from its nest and was injured. As the Blooms care for the bird, Penguin begins to bond with the family, especially Sam. Through the bird’s recovery, the family finds hope and resilience. Penguin's quirky personality and determination to heal mirror Sam's own struggles and slowly help her reconnect with life and her family.
The story, captured through Cameron Bloom's photographs and Bradley Trevor Greive's narration, beautifully illustrates how the unlikely friendship between a wounded bird and a struggling family brings joy, comfort, and strength during tough times. Penguin Bloom is a touching tale about healing, hope, and the unbreakable bond between humans and animals.
Here are some resources that you may find useful during your studies. Search the Bennies catalogue Accessit for more, or browse the Non-fiction collection NFS.
Penguin Bloom by A young mother's world is shattered after a near-fatal accident leaves her paralysed. As she and her family struggle to adjust an unlikely ally enters their world: an injured baby magpie.
Somewhere, flying around the northern beaches of Sydney, is a magpie called Penguin who often thinks she's a human. And if that's not incredible enough, this amazing bird has another claim to fame. She's a lifesaver. Penguin taught Sam Bloom how to live again after the mother of three fell from a balcony, broke her back and became a paraplegic. It's a truly inspiring tale that not surprisingly will also soon be a Hollywood movie.
If you’re in need of an impossibly sweet and moving story right now - and let’s face it; who isn’t? - Penguin Bloom on Netflix is an absolute must watch. Directed by Glendyn Ivin, the film is an adaptation of the true story of the Bloom family. While on vacation, Sam Bloom (Naomi Watts) suffers a fall that results in the lower two-thirds of her body being paralyzed. As a very involved parent and athlete, Sam’s life is totally derailed by the accident. Her husband Cam (Andrew Lincoln) and their three young sons do what they can to support her and help her adjust, but the significant nudge Sam needs actually comes from an injured baby magpie they name Penguin.
Why we love it: Penguin Bloom is a truly original book – part photographic journal, part tragic story – and readers of all kinds will fall in love with the stunning images and be moved to the core by the heartrending narrative.
For fans of A Streetcat Named Bob comes Finding Gobi, the heart-warming true story of a dog who captured the hearts of the world. Younger readers' edition.
Finding Gobi is the ultimate story of hope and friendship - proving once again, that dogs really are 'man's best friend.'
In 2016, Dion Leonard, an ultramarathon runner, stumbled across a little stray dog while competing in a gruelling 155 mile race across the Gobi Desert. The pup earned the name 'Gobi', as she went step for step with Dion, keeping pace with him for nearly 80 miles. What Gobi lacked in size, she made up for in heart.
Dion had always focused on winning, but as he witnessed the incredible determination of this small animal, he felt something inside him change. This is a story of a life changing friendship between one man and a little stray dog called Gobi.
''Oh! How adorable! I didn't know you had a car!' she exclaimed. I am always surprised how many people make this observation. Why should His Holiness not have a cat? 'If only she could speak,' continued the actress. I'm sure she'd have such wisdom to share.' And so the seed was planted . . . I began to think that perhaps the time has come for me to write a book of my own-a book that would convey some of the wisdom I've learned sitting not at the feet of the Dalai Lama but even closer, on his lap. A book that would tell my own tale . . . how I was rescued from a fate too grisly to contemplate to become the constant companion of a man who is not only own of the world's greatest spiritual leaders and a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate but also a dab hand with a can opener.' Starving and pitiful, a mud-smeared kitten is rescued from the slums of New Delhi and transported to a life she could have never imagined. In a beautiful sanctuary overlooking the snow-capped Himalayas, she begins her new life as the Dalai Lama's cat. Warmhearted, irreverent and wise, this cat of many names opens a window to the inner sanctum of life in Dharamsala. A tiny spy observing the constant flow of private meetings between His Holiness and everyone from Hollywood celebrities to philanthropists to self-help authors, the Dalai Lama's cat provides us with insights on how to find happiness and meaning in a busy, materialistic world. Her story will put a smile on the face of anyone who has been blessed by the kneading paws and bountiful purring of a cat. 'What a joy to spend some intimate time with the Dalai Lama glimpsed through the devoted eyes of his adventurous cat, Mousie-tung. This charming and highly entertaining book will cheer you up and warm your heart. Curl up with The Dalai lama's Cat.' Michael Carroll, author of Awake at Work and The Mindful Leader 'This enchanting story is a rare treat. I highly recommend it!' Gay Hendricks, Ph.D., author of Conscious Loving and The First Rule of Ten
Surprised to find himself reborn as a rambunctious golden-haired puppy after a tragically short life as a stray mutt, Bailey's search for his new life's meaning leads him into the loving arms of 8-year-old Ethan. During their countless adventures Bailey joyously discovers how to be a good dog. But this new life as a beloved family pet is not the end of Bailey's journey. Reborn as a puppy yet again, Bailey wonders - will he ever find his purpose? Touching, insightful, and often laugh-out-loud funny, A Dog's Purpose is not only the story of a dog's many lives, but also a dog's-eye commentary on human relationships and the unbreakable bonds that hold us all together, man and man's best friend alike. The story teaches us that love never dies, that our true friends are always with us, and that every creature on Earth is born with a purpose.
The story of an extraordinary family, how they almost fell apart and how they were brought back together by the wisest and most loyal member - Enzo the dog.
