Once he lands on a Finnish beach, a pelican is so fascinated by humans, he decides to be one—he buys a suit, rents an apartment, gets a job as a stagehand, and even falls in love with a swan-like ballerina. He turns into a handsome and charming man who communicates by imitating others. When 10-year-old Emil (who isn’t fooled by the bird for one second) enters his life, the bona fide world of humans is unveiled. Emil teaches him how to read and they initiate a splendid friendship. But when Pelicanman’s nutty landlady, who is allergic to birds, discovers his secret, she has the authorities whisk him away. After Emil and his friend Elsa rescue Pelicanman from the grips of zookeepers, he decides it is time to go back to being just a bird. (Ages 7+)