The Avian Welfare Coalition – a coalition of animal protection organizations, avian rescue groups, veterinarians and conservation organizations – together with WSPA and other animal welfare groups, is proud to announce the publication of Lucky by Monica Engebretson, an educational children’s book that gently awakens children to the plight of captive birds and birds captured in the wild.

Based on a true story, Lucky tells the tale of a rainbow lorikeet that is captured in the wild and sold as a gift to a young Indonesian boy named Kersen. Eventually Lucky lives up to his name and regains his freedom with the help, kindness and understanding of Kersen.

The story is also a perfect fit for a wide educational curriculum including geography and culture of Indonesia, the natural history, behavior, and physical characteristics of parrots and tropical forest ecosystems, real-life conservation efforts and most importantly it teaches a valuable lesson about why wild animals belong in their native habitats. The dedicated website www.luckythelorikeet.com incorporates all these topics and is designed to engage children and educators in a variety of interactive, creative activities.

Originally written in 2004, this much-awaited story is finally available to the public in this beautifully illustrated 32-page book, printed on recycled, chlorine-free paper to protect the environment and the world's forests. What's more, 100% of the proceeds from the sale of this book benefits avian welfare, rescue, and conservation – to help birds like Lucky. To find out more visit www.luckythelorikeet.com.

Lucky was made possible through the support of the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), the ASPCA, Animal Welfare Trust, Born Free USA, and Midwest Avian Adoption & Rescue Services (MAARS).