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Mrs. Ballard's Parrots Hardcover – April 1, 2005

4.1 out of 5 stars 14

A humorous collection of parrot photography by the author and photographer whose wife's feathered friends have appeared in numerous films and on talk shows features parrots in elaborate costumes or reenacting scenes from famous movies. By the author of Prisoners and Sock Monkeys. 25,000 first printing.

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

It's difficult to determine what makes these snapshots of elaborately costumed parrots so weird. Is it that Long Island housewife Alba Ballard (1928-1994) felt compelled to spend years dressing up her feathered friends, or that the images are so curiously captivating? With the help of her husband, Marvin, Ballard designed costumes of celebrities and historical figures to place on her docile parrots, posing them at miniature tables and against painted backdrops. Some might find this disturbing, while others-like David Letterman, who had her on his show multiple times, and Woody Allen, who gave her a bit part in Broadway Danny Rose-will be heartily amused. When Ballard died, all that remained of her unusual hobby was a box full of photos discovered amid old fan mail addressed to Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. Through Taylor's daughter, Liza, the photos eventually found their way to New York photographer Svenson, a collector of "unique and odd" images. Readers who share Svenson's thirst for the bizarre will find these eccentric tableaus amusing. The photos, which are accompanied by headers hand-written by Ballard, feature parrots posing as wounded soldiers, impersonating Batman and Robin, and filling the famed shoes of Dean Martin (appropriately, a bevy of gorgeous Barbie dolls loiter in the background). Dressed and posed mannequin-like, the parrots seem to take their roles as models seriously, and their passive, expressionless countenances are the key to the absurdity of these pictures.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harry N. Abrams; First Edition (April 1, 2005)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 96 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0810958864
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0810958869
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 years and up
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 8 and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.15 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.25 x 0.75 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 14

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Arne Svenson
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Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
14 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2005
But when I saw them dressed as Sonny, Cher, General Patton, Liberace, and/or Little Red Riding Hood I screamed all right, of absolute laughter. Arne Svenson's wonderfully respectful book on Alba Ballard is a view into the world of a unique artist who used her pet birds as the protagonists in fantastic surreal tableaus based on 1970's movie and TV scenes, historical occurances, and fairytales. The photos walk a fine line between humor and pathos and offer somewhat satirical, and I am sure intended, comment on the culture of the time.

I am certain that when Mrs. Ballard created these images she was looked upon as a "bit odd" and perhaps even laughed at. I mean, let's get real, she was a housewife in Long Island who designed and created tiny bird costumes, velcroed them onto her pet parrots and made them run around miniature stages while her husband snapped the camera. Not exactly your typical neighborhood gal. However, with this marvelous volume, I think that Mrs. B is having the last laugh. Buy this book, and you will laugh along with her.
15 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2019
Great photos of parrots
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2010
Mrs. Ballard's Parrots by Arne Svenson is a picture book that will appeal to all ages. Alba Ballard, a Long Island housewife,created costumes to dress up her pet parrots and cockatoos. She also designed colorful and realistic sets and props to display the costumed birds.

Although the book is now out of print, I urge you to get a copy of this fascinating book.

JCH
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2016
Poor picture quality; didn't like the book at all.
Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2006
Not only lots of photos..but the history of how they came about. Being a fellow parrot owner, it was delightful.
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2011
If you enjoy parrots- if you enjoy parrots dressed up in tiny outfits reenacting historical and hysterical scenes by an eccentric but loving owner,you will enjoy this book. Both Mrs. Ballard and her birds seem to be having a wonderful time and it's a joy to behold. Thanks, Arne Svenson, for making these photos available to the world in this pictorially rich book!
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2012
Hilarious, adorable, virtually priceless. Whimsical, cute, nostalgic, highly recommended. It's just a shame that her husband got rid of all of the costumes and sets when she died.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2005
Alba Ballard was the kind of woman who dressed her various parrots in outfits (astronaut, Batman and Robin) and put them in little scenes (Easy Rider, cowboy saloon) and then photographed or filmed them. In otehr words, Alba Ballard was a GENIUS!

Combining her love of birds, theatre and pop culture. she created tableaux that would likely fetch kajillions of dollars and make her the darling of the art world today, but back in the 50s and 60s primarily only garnered her scorn and weird looks. Alba's story is fascinating, funny, and frankly inspirational and touching. Just imagining Mrs. Ballard in her Long Island home, late at night, arranging her parrots in a faux bedroom with little overturned champagne glasses is enough to make one dazzled by the human spirit -- and the forebearance of her parrots! (As a parrot owner myself, I can't imagine trying to get any of my birds in one of these get-ups without losing a finger.)
19 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

MM
5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious!
Reviewed in Canada on July 7, 2015
Wonderful book!