Penguin Bloom: the story of a magpie that saved a family

Penguin and Sam Bloom (Supplied/Cameron Bloom)
Penguin and Sam Bloom (Supplied/Cameron Bloom)

A moving photo book is challenging the perception of magpies as vicious pests.

Penguin Bloom tells the true story of an Australian family who faced more than their fair share of heartbreak and sadness, before being healed by the most unexpected friend.

Penguin Bloom: the story of a magpie that saved a family

Penguin Bloom (Cameron Bloom)

Mother Sam Bloom was left paralysed and deeply depressed after a near-fatal accident. After seven months in hospital, she returned home to face life and its new unexpected challenges.

"When I first carried her [Sam] over the threshold it had been one of the happiest days of our lives," writes husband Cameron Bloom in the book. "But this time around, carrying Sam from the car to our front door was one of the saddest occasions you could possibly imagine."

Enter Penguin Bloom - an injured magpie found by son Noah and named for its black and white plumage.

Penguin Bloom: the story of a magpie that saved a family

Penguin Bloom (Cameron Bloom)

The family of five nursed Penguin back to health, and the new addition formed a close connection with Sam.

"Penguin could not have arrived at a better time," writes Mr Bloom.

Mr Bloom, a professional photographer, posted a series of photos of his wife and Penguin on Instagram, and the positive reaction inspired him to tell her story in a book.

Penguin Bloom: the story of a magpie that saved a family

Penguin Bloom (Cameron Bloom)

Speaking with Newshub, Mr Bloom said the process of putting together the book was a long one - especially for someone who has never been involved with a project like this before.

"I collaborated with [author Bradley Trevor Greive] for about five or six months, and he would check in with Sam about every second day."

Initially, Mr Bloom had over 12,000 photos. Of those, 2000 were sent to Mr Greive to help construct the narrative, and more photos were taken throughout the writing process.

Penguin Bloom: the story of a magpie that saved a family

Penguin Bloom (Cameron Bloom)

"Brad didn't just want amazing photos - it was the obscure ones that could help tell the story," says Mr Bloom.

"Two years of work is a lengthy project and it's unusual for a photographer to get to do something for as long as this," he says, but it was important to him to share his family's story.

"Sam's journey was a unique one. Everything had been ripped away from her, but with the aid of Penguin (and kayaking) it became quite an uplifting story."

"Penguin taught us that helping others feel better is the easiest and best way to help find yourself."

The combination of text and photo is powerful, and it meant to a lot to the Bloom family to finally see their story told.

Penguin Bloom: the story of a magpie that saved a family

Penguin Bloom (Cameron Bloom)

"I was in tears when I read the first draft - Sam's story touched a lot of people," says Mr Bloom.

Mrs Bloom now gets regular letters from people asking for her guidance. She doesn’t like to be referred to as an inspiration, but is happy the book is contributing in some way big or small.

"She finds it quite overwhelming because she's not trained to help people, but people just connect with her story," says Mr Bloom.  

Proceeds from all sales of Penguin Bloom will go to SpinalCure Australia.

Newshub.