FAQs
Where is the story set and what genre is it?
Jimmy Whiskers and the Great Parrot Rescue is a classic, realistic animal adventure set in Ebdentown — a fictional seaside town where rebellious pets have driven the people away. In the real world, Ebdentown in Upper Hutt (located in the Hutt Valley of Wellington, New Zealand) is a riverside suburb right near where author Jenny McGlone grew up.
What is the plot of Jimmy Whiskers and the Great Parrot Rescue?
Jimmy Whiskers is an outsider in a town ruled by pet rebels. He mostly keeps to himself, until his favourite parrots escape from the local zoo. Knowing how dangerous Ebdentown can be, Jimmy is determined to return them to safety. He teams up with Gary, a giant gorilla who works at the zoo, and the unlikely pair set off on an exciting rescue mission. The story also follows the parallel journey of the three escaped macaw parrots—Felicia and brothers Carlos and Banjo—as they navigate sudden freedom and the dangers waiting for them at every turn.
What reading level and age group is the book designed for?
Jimmy Whiskers and the Great Parrot Rescue is classed as middle-grade fiction, which in New Zealand typically targets 8-to-12-year-olds. Because children learn to read at different paces, teachers and parents are often the best judges of readiness. To help you decide, the book features approximately 15,000 words spread across 13 chapters, with text broken up by frequent illustrations throughout every chapter. This highly visual layout keeps young readers engaged in a longer narrative, making it an excellent bridge for transitioning children from graphic novels to traditional chapter books. Filled with humour, fast-paced action, and heartfelt moments, it is also ideal for parents to read aloud to younger children in the middle-grade bracket.
Who wrote the Jimmy Whiskers series?
The author is Jenny McGlone, who is based on the Kāpiti Coast of New Zealand. Jenny grew up in the Hutt Valley in Wellington and achieved two diplomas in Creative Writing at Whitireia Polytechnic. While enjoying many writing genres during her studies, writing for children particularly appealed. Jimmy Whiskers and the Great Parrot Rescue is her debut children's novel. Jenny is a board member of the Kāpiti Writers Group and her short story The Search is published in their anthology Seasons in Kāpiti in 2025.
Who illustrated the book and what is the art style?
Illustrator Amanda Fookes brings Jimmy Whiskers to life through a hand-drawn and digitally painted approach. The cover artwork is highly stylised, three-dimensional, featuring a vibrant, theatrical colour palette. Inside, the illustrations transition to a beautiful grayscale comic style, featuring visible line-work and rich shading that adds depth to the pages.
Is this book a standalone novel or part of a series?
There are many more Jimmy Whiskers adventures to come! Jenny has already written four of the five planned books, and illustrator Amanda Fookes is currently working on book two in the series, Jimmy Whiskers and the Firedogs, which is due for release in 2027.
Where can I buy a copy of Jimmy Whiskers and the Great Parrot Rescue?
The best way to purchase a copy of Jimmy Whiskers and the Great Parrot Rescue is to shop right here at jimmywhiskers.com. Head to our shop page, Jimmy Whiskers and the Great Parrot Rescue is available for $20.00 NZD, plus shipping. And... when ordering through our site you'll get two free custom bookmarks to delight your young reader packaged in with your order. Our site is made with Shopify which handles the secure online transaction, and gives you many options for ways to pay.