Always Blue for Chicu

“This touching and hopeful tale will capture children’s imaginations and win their hearts; I highly recommend it for animal lovers of all ages.” — James D. Gilardi, Executive Director of World Parrot Trust

Written and illustrated by Karen Dugan

Cover of a children's book titled 'Always Blue for Chicu' by Karen Dugan, published by The Gryphon Press. It features an illustration of a green parrot with a yellow and blue face, perched on a branch surrounded by green leaves and yellow flowers, with a blue sky background.

Always Blue for Chicu recounts the 30-year adventures of an Amazon parrot. Captured as a young bird by smugglers, Chicu frees himself from a marketplace cage, is befriended by a kindly sailor, Big Blue, and goes to sea, where he finds a new flock in the sailors on board. When Big Blue goes back to sea, friends agree to care for Chicu. Over many long years, Chicu is passed from one owner to another until he is brought to a parrot sanctuary, where, after a long search, Big Blue finds him again in a heart-warming finale.

Parrots are long-living birds who flourish in flocks with mates and families, flying freely and happily through the treetops; in their captive existence—which may be 50 years or longer—they often endure isolation and a tedious, neglected life without proper care or human attention. Through striking, full-color illustrations, Chicu’s story opens a window into the life of these exotic birds whose unique qualities and beauty call out for understanding and care.

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Colorful illustration of a green parrot perched on a branch with green leaves, against a light blue background.

  • Birds, Wildlife, Parrots

  • Hardcover

  • 32 pages

  • 5-6 years

  • Kindergarten - 2nd Grade

  • 0940719096

  • 9780940719095

Colorful illustration of numerous green parakeets perched on tree branches.
A collage featuring various cartoon and real animals, people, and characters.

Awards and Honors

Bronze book award badge for Independent Publisher Book Awards with the initials 'IP' in the center and the words 'Excellence In Independent Publishing' around the top, and 'Book Awards' and 'Bronze' around the bottom.

Independent Publishers Bronze Medal

A collage of various cartoon dog and animal characters.

Reviews

  • Dr. Joanna Burger (Author of "The Parrot Who Owns Me")

    “This heart-warming and delightful story will intrigue and interest children while it charms their parents. It is a pleasure to see a children's picture book that is exciting and amazing yet accessible and accurate. Always Blue for Chicu captures the life and spirit of this fascinating parrot and the saga of his finding a home with people who understand his needs.”

  • James D. Gilardi (Executive Director of World Parrot Trust)

    “In her beautifully illustrated Always Blue for Chicu, Karen Dugan captures both the pleasures and perils of sharing one's life with a parrot. Following Chicu on his wild ride through decades of ups and downs, one might think that these are the experiences of several birds rolled into one. However, many parrots actually live this long, have this many owners, and form complex and powerful bonds with people. Indeed, millions of parrots do, and Dugan has skillfully brought this truth to light in a gentle, fun, but always honest manner. This touching and hopeful tale will capture children’s imaginations and win their hearts; I highly recommend it for animal lovers of all ages.”

  • Institute for Humane Education

    “Readers will connect with Chicu and his desire for a happy home. The end of the book includes useful information about parrots and caring for them. This book serves as a useful discussion starter about the ethics of keeping wild animals in captivity and what wild animals need to be happy and healthy, as well as for classes studying birds, rainforests, etc.”

  • Karen Windsor (Executive Director of Foster Parrots, Ltd.)

    “For anyone who knows, loves, and understands a parrot, this beautiful story of Chicu's journey will tug at your heart. Karen Dugan’s insight into the souls of parrots is evident both in her story and in her illustrations. This is a book I will treasure.”

Colorful illustration of birds sitting on a tree with green foliage and pink and blue sky background. The text says, 'Thank you for this life! Thank you for this world!' with a small text at the bottom right saying, 'Chicu loved this time of day.'
Illustration of a flock of green parakeets sitting on a tree branch on the left page, with close-up views of personal behaviors like picking, prying, throwing, holding, chewing, and playing. On the right page, multiple green parakeets are flying agai
Illustration of sailors on a ship's bridge and in the galley with a parrot, depicting a lively maritime scene with cheerful interactions and crew members cooking.
Illustration of birds in a cage with a man viewing them, and parrots and other colorful birds on branches outside. A small bird with a bowtie is perched on a branch inside the cage, and a large green parrot with a yellow head is sitting on a branch o