"He was small and cute when I picked him up... So why did he get so big..." Furukawa Uta is 14 years old, and she has a problem. That problem is Pi-chan, her parakeet. He can say "good morning", and "thank you", and oh, he's bigger than she is. One of my truest loves is oneshots that don't try to cram too much in. In this way, Uchi no Pi-chan made my heart sing. Uta has a parakeet that's just too darn big, and that's about all there is to the story. Where are her parents? Don't know, doesn't matter. Where does a bird like Pi-chan comefrom? Don't know, doesn't matter. How did he get so big? Don't know, doesn't matter. The simple fact is, he's here and he's huge, and Uta has to deal with it.

And deal with it she does! Or at least, she tries. Oh, does she try. She cages him (a bust), lets him perch (a failure), chats with him (a no go), sings to him (a disaster), and more, but in the end is forced to accept her hot mess of a pet as he is -- and ultimately celebrates his unique nature.

Both heartwarming and hilarious throughout, Uchi no Pi-chan will hit the spot no matter what kind of reader you are. Now ask yourself: What would you do with a bird like Pi-chan?