UNDER NEW WINGS: A FEATHERED FAMILY
Two Families, One Parrot, and a Story of Endless Love
Under New Wings: A Feathered Family is a tender, true-to-life picture book reminding children that adoption doesn’t mean saying goodbye — it means love can grow in many places.
Beverly Kozol-Tattlebaum has loved birds all her life, especially Paco, the Amazon parrot who inspired this story. Paco’s gift for “talking” in ways people could truly understand left lasting impressions on everyone who knew him.
She co-authored Under New Wings: A Feathered Family with her grandson, Benjamin R. Mallock, whose bright, imaginative illustrations bring Paco’s world to life. Beverly is launching free Kids’ Corner activities inspired by Under New Wings and believes every family, feathered or not has a story to tell.
When seven-year-old Henry’s Army family must leave home, Paco the Amazon parrot is entrusted to their kind neighbor, Mrs. K-a change that will quietly transform everyone involved.
Paco is no ordinary parrot. He communicates in ways that make people stop, smile, and listen. With Ralph, his unlikely little protector, Paco soon finds himself at the center of a new household filled with laughter, gentle chaos, and unexpected creativity.
But when circumstances shift once again, Paco faces a tender question that touches every heart around him – where does he truly belong?
Under New Wings: A Feathered Family is a warm, true-to-life picture book about love, adoption, and the many forms family can take.
ENDORSEMENT
Q&A
It began with Paco—a clever, spirited Amazon parrot who was part of our family. He was
playful, curious, and full of heart, and I often felt his story deserved to be shared.
Over time, that feeling grew into Under New Wings: A Feathered Family—a story about
friendship, belonging, and the many ways love can bring a family together.
Ralph has a story of his own.
His beginning was not an easy one. He was the son of Delores Rat, and after losing the safety
and comfort every little creature deserves, Ralph found himself alone, searching for a place to
belong.
Like many small creatures people sometimes misunderstand, Ralph could frighten those who did
not yet know his gentle nature. But everything began to change when he found his way into our
household—and into the watchful company of Paco, the wise Amazon parrot.
Before long, Ralph began to find his place among the Feathered Family. He stayed close,
learning their rhythms, quietly discovering what it meant to belong.
One sunny afternoon, as the children were enjoying ice cream, someone suddenly spotted Ralph
and shrieked.
Paco quickly calmed them.
“Don’t be afraid! This rat is my friend, and he won’t bite—I promise.”
Ralph squeaked, “Thank you for letting me stay,” then boldly gobbled the little scoop Mrs. K
had set aside—and let out a noisy burp.
Paco tilted his head.
“Manners, please.”