Penguin Bloom is the name of a wildlife magpie featured in an Australian book and movie of the same name. The story follows the real-life recovery of Sam Bloom after a devastating accident, and how a rescued magpie named Penguin helped her through the healing process. So while Penguin Bloom was a real magpie that inspired the book and film, the events were fictionalized for dramatic effect.
The Real Story of Penguin Bloom
In 2013, Sam Bloom was on a family vacation in Thailand when she fell 6 meters from a rooftop balcony, resulting in serious injury to her spinal cord. This left her unable to walk or move the lower half of her body. Her husband Cameron and three young boys – Noah, Oli and Reuben – were left to care for her after this tragic accident.
As part of her recovery when she returned to her home in Newport, Australia, Sam began connecting with the nature around her. One day in 2014, Cameron found an injured magpie chick that had fallen from its nest. They started caring for the chick, feeding it and allowing it to stay close to Sam as she underwent physical therapy. They named the magpie Penguin for her black and white feathers.
Over time, a heartwarming bond formed between Sam and Penguin. The bird would often sit with Sam during her therapy sessions. Sam later recounted how Penguin would walk across her body and stare into her eyes, comforted by the close contact. This friendship brought happiness and hope back into Sam’s life during an incredibly difficult period.
While the story was fictionalized for the book and movie, the special real-life relationship between Sam and Penguin was the inspiration behind it. Their story provided comfort, courage and inspiration not just for the Bloom family, but for readers and viewers around the world.
The Book Penguin Bloom: The Odd Little Bird Who Saved a Family
In 2016, Cameron Bloom published a book titled “Penguin Bloom: The Odd Little Bird Who Saved a Family” recounting their experience. While not a direct memoir, Cameron used the real-life bond between his wife and Penguin as the starting point. He then worked with author Bradley Trevor Greive to adapt it into a narrative story for publication.
The book differs from real events in a few key ways:
- The setting was changed from Thailand to Hawaii.
- The names of Sam and Cameron were changed to Hannah and Cameron.
- Some scenes and dialogues were added or changed for dramatic effect.
So while fictionalized, the book stays true to the core inspirational story of how an injured magpie helped a family recover from tragedy. Themes of love, courage, friendship and nature’s power to heal remained at the book’s heart.
Adaptation into a Feature Film
In 2020, the book was adapted into a feature film titled “Penguin Bloom” starring Naomi Watts as Sam Bloom. The script was co-written by Shaun Grant and Harry Cripps. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 12, 2020.
The 95 minute film once again fictionalizes the true story for the screen, taking creative liberties around some events and chronology. But Sam’s devastating accident, her introduction to the magpie chick Penguin, and their transformative bond are depicted as the emotional backbone.
Naomi Watts powerfully captures Sam’s journey – from grief, pain and hopelessness to her uplifting friendship with Penguin and gradual empowerment. The Australian scenery is captured beautifully by cinematographer Sam Chiplin.
While necessarily dramatized in parts, the film succeeds in conveying the real-life magic between Sam Bloom and her magpie companion. Their heartwarming story resonated strongly with viewers upon the movie’s release.
The Real Penguin Bloom Today
The real Penguin Bloom continued living with the Bloom family even after the events depicted in the book and movie. Magpies can live for up to 25 years in the wild, and Penguin was an active part of the Bloom family for many years.
Sadly, Penguin passed away in 2021 at an estimated age of 8-10 years old. The Blooms have said that she will always remain a hugely important part of their family history, especially in helping Sam regain purpose and confidence after her accident.
On their Instagram page where they frequently shared photos of Penguin over the years, the family wrote:
“She was a little lighthouse of hope to us when we felt lost and broken.”
While Penguin may no longer be with them physically, the Blooms credit her friendship during a vulnerable time for playing a significant role in shaping who they are today as a family. Penguin’s legacy lives on through the book and movie adaptations of her uplifting story.
Why the Story Resonates
When the book and movie adaptation of Penguin Bloom were released, they struck a chord with audiences worldwide. But why does the story resonate so strongly?
A few key reasons help explain its impact:
- The bond between human and animal – The depth of friendship and healing that developed between Sam and Penguin tugs at the heartstrings. The loyalty and comfort Penguin provided proves the profound connections humans and animals can share.
- Themes of hope and recovery – Sam’s journey from despair to embracing life again thanks to Penguin’s companionship is incredibly uplifting. It inspires hope amid hardship.
- Power of nature – Penguin, as a wild bird, represents the restorative beauty and simplicity of the natural world. Her role emphasizes nature’s ability to heal and renew the human spirit.
Penguin’s positive impact led to the Bloom family adopting two more magpies over the years – Pebbles and Rainbow. Their family tradition of caring for rescued or injured magpies continues bringing them happiness. It is clear why the story has provided comfort for many.
Was the Book’s Portrayal Accurate?
Given that the book Penguin Bloom fictionalized parts of Sam Bloom’s real-life story, some key questions around accuracy arise:
- Was Sam’s disability captured truthfully? While plot points were altered, the portrayal of her spinal cord injury, paralysis and disability appears accurate based on interviews with the real Sam Bloom.
- Were Sam’s lowest moments exaggerated? It’s possible some scenes of despair early in her recovery were dramatized, though the core emotions likely rang true.
- Was Penguin’s influence romanticized? While impossible to know, Penguin was very likely a huge comfort for Sam during therapy. So the central role Penguin played in her renewal feels faithful even if specific scenes were invented.
Overall despite fictional elements, the book seems to capture the true spirit and meaning of Penguin’s friendship. The uplifting emotions Penguin elicited rather than precise events were the point for author Cameron Bloom. Facts were altered in service of sharing this heartfelt story.
Conclusion
In summary:
- Penguin Bloom was a real injured magpie adopted by Sam Bloom and her family as she recovered from a spinal cord injury.
- The book and movie tell a fictionalized version of true events focused on Penguin’s uplifting friendship.
- Core themes of love and renewal through nature’s power remain accurate to Sam Bloom’s experience.
- Penguin had a lasting positive impact on the Bloom family despite her passing in 2021.
So while not a documentary, Penguin Bloom’s story as portrayed in the adaptations truthfully captures the spirit of hope and inspiration it brought to a family when they needed it most. Through creativity and imagination, the fictionalized retelling takes that real-life magic and shares it with the world.
