Essex folk musician and children’s book author Daisy Nell has just released her second book, “Rocky at The Dockside,” illustra
ted by Marblehead artist George Ulrich.
After last year’s successful launch of “The Stowaway Mouse,” Nell decided to create a story based on a real-life parrot named Rocky who was a central character in her house when her chi
ldren were young.
Her book tells the story of a mischievous parrot who has recently retired to a Gloucester seaside cottage where the family children attempt to teach him the ways of their household. Rocky, however, finds it just too tempting to be
so close to the harbor, and he escapes through the dog door. Rocky flies to the shoulder of the unsuspecting captain of the schooner Ardelle. They get off to a “rocky” start, as feathers get ruffled over who is supposed to be giving the orders.
As with “The Stowaway Mouse,” a single song CD accompanies the new book. In 1982, Nell recorded a song abou
t the real Rocky, complete with his whistles, words, and songs, to accompany her birthday party gigs with her chatty parrot. Her children, then age 12 and 10, sang in the chorus. In the winter of 2012 Nell recorded the song again, recapturing the original sounds of the family’s pet parrot, thanks to the studio magic of Wellspring Sound in Acton.
Nell’s children have, of course, grown up, but her daughter Miranda Russell’s two children were roped in to lend their voices. A CD of the song “Rocky the Parrot” is inside the front cover for children and their parents to “rock” along.
She has already received some reviews on the book. Local author David Roper (“Watching for Mermaids,” Points East Press) called it “a winner!”
Gordon Bok, a Maine
folksinger and woodcarver (Timberhead Music), said, “Another delightful story from Daisy Nell, and a saucy so
ng, too!”
The book is available at Maritime Gloucester, The Book Store of Gloucester, and R
ussell Orchards in Ipswich. Nell will be providing the commentary for Gloucester’s annual Parade of Schooners on Sunday, Sept. 2, when copies of her books will be available at the Chamber of Commerce table, near the announcer’s table. As the schooners parade by, look carefully at the schooner Ardelle. There just might be a green and yellow parrot trying
to shout “Ready about!”
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