This gem of a story was discovered at a church rummage sale some years back. It drew my attention by the drawing of a cute little quail on the hardbook cover. I grew up in the country near a dairy farm in a town called South Weymouth and had come to appreciate wildlife. The fields adjoining our backyard was home to many quail families.

Sure enough, down in the mud were two eggs, one badly cracked and one perfect. He picked up the perfect one. It was very dirty and covered with tiny lively mites. They took it into the house, washed it with cold water, sprayed it with bug spray and detergent and left it on the kitchen counter as a curiosity. Later in the day they noticed a small crack in the shell, so just in case, they put a small boudoir lamp beside it for warmth.

That Quail, Robert is a charming true story about a quail who came into the world under a warm lamp in Dr. and Mrs. Kienzle's home on the Cape in Orleans, Massachusetts in July of 1962. The little quail didn't nestle long in a feather duster before ruling the household with army discipline with the occupants loving every moment of it.

Robert feasted on wild rice, V-8 juice, toast and whatever the family had for dinner that was to his liking. Given the chance many times for outdoor freedom and mating calls, he was banded for the records (just in case) by the Audobon Society but chose to remain a member of the Kienzle family for over four years.

The author and good friend of the family, registered nurse Margaret A. Stanger gives the story a delightful touch by telling each and every detail of Robert's life along with a few whimsical tales of other wildlife. From a perfect white egg, rounded at one end and pointed at the other and how usually birds emerge from eggs on the rounded side, Robert made his entrance from the other end. From the start they knew he was different and would make a lasting impression on their lives.

The author writes endearingly about this little bird's need for human companionship and the little antics that belonged to a personality unlike any other quail. It isn't often that a bird gets fan letters and visitors from three different countries, not to mention a call from New York City to appear on the "Missing Links" show on NBC-TV. And it isn't often that a quail defies the laws of nature and prefers his human family rather than widlife. This book goes to show you how strong the love and care the Kienzle family and friends provided as a comfort zone for a little bit of wildlife.

I have given very brief details here because I wouldn't want to ruin this adorable heartwarming "keeper" of a story.

Many surprises await in this true biography about Roberta, oops...I mean Robert, written by a close friend of the Kienzle family.

The pencil-drawings by Cathy Baldwin adds the frosting to the cake in this charming read. Cathy graduated from the Rhode Island School of Art Design. To my knowledge, this is the only book Margaret Stanger ever wrote and she did a fine job. She graduated as a nurse at Boston Children's hospital and had come back to her hometown to retire. Lucky for Robert she did.

Border's online is selling the 128-page paperback for $4.80. It's a great gift to yourself, for any animal lover or just a story for anyone to read and enjoy.

Recommended: Yes