The novel, Polly Stubby and Al D.B. Silvis, is a delightful and heartwarming tale of friendship and animal antics that will charm readers of all ages. The story revolves around the unusual, but tightly knit, animal family living with Mama Sara. This eccentric trio includes Polly, a wonderfully multi-colored parrot who is gifted with the ability to talk, and Stubby, a bowlegged English bulldog whose appearance is as endearing as his loyalty.
The menagerie becomes complete when Mama Sara takes in a tiny, injured wild crow. She provides the care and patience necessary to heal and tame the wild bird, affectionately naming him Al. Al, initially a creature of the forest, quickly adapts to his new life and his new family members.
Over the next few months, the pets become the source of hilarious, daily entertainment for Mama Sara and the entire neighborhood. The crow is the star of the show as he learns to talk, mimicking sounds and phrases with mischievous glee. Al is never content to simply sit still; he is always up to some sort of mischief, testing the boundaries of both his human and animal companions and causing comical problems in the quiet neighborhood. His antics—often involving Polly’s squawking observations and Stubby’s clumsy involvement—create a lighthearted and joyful atmosphere that defines the first part of the novel.
However, the tone dramatically shifts one day when the playful existence of the pets is threatened. While flying freely in the sky, Al is suddenly caught in a fast-moving, violent storm. The sky turns a menacing black, bolts of lightning flash across the horizon, and hurricane-force winds begin to tear through the air, accompanied by sheets of heavy rain. The storm is overwhelming, and the pet crow is in genuine peril. Over and over, Al desperately calls out for help, his voice muffled by the wind and rain.
The family can only watch, completely helpless, as their beloved talking crow is tossed about in the fierce winds and is blown inexorably toward the dense, unforgiving forest. The final tension of the novel rests on a single, vital question: Does Al survive this sudden, terrifying ordeal? Do Mama Sara and the family ever see their unique, mischievous pet crow again? This suspenseful event ensures that Polly Stubby and Al D.B. Silvis is more than just a funny story; it becomes a touching narrative about the deep bond between humans and their animal friends, and the heartbreak that comes with the threat of loss.
