Magpie Penguin pictures such a big hit, Bloom family have created a book sharing heartwarming story

STUNNING  images of a northern beaches family and the magpie they hand-reared, alongside their story of dealing with a horror accident, have been made into an inspirational book,

STUNNING  images of a northern beaches family and the magpie they hand-reared have been made into an inspirational book.

Penguin Bloom tells the Newport family’s story of not only how they raised a magpie which became a sensation around the world with 123,000 Instagram followers, but also how the bird helped them deal with a life-changing accident.

Sam and Cameron with their boys Reuben 14, Noah 12 and Oli ten, and their new book, Penguin Bloom. Picture: Supplied/Cameron Bloom

Mrs Bloom, 44, was on holiday with her family in Thailand in 2013 when a balcony she was standing on collapsed. She broke her back and almost died.

It was while she was recovering, and coming to terms with the fact she’d never walk again, that the couple’s children, Northern Beaches Christian School student Reuben, 14, Noah, 12 and Oli, 10 – who goes to Northern Beaches Public School – found a baby magpie which had fallen out of a tree at Bilgolah Beach.

Penguin Bloom has been published by ABC books.

They took the bird home, called her Penguin and she became a treasured feathered friend to the family during a harrowing time.

And while the images by Mr Bloom, a professional photographer, went global, Mr Bloom said he never initially wanted to talk about Sam’s accident.

The children took the bird home, called her Penguin and she became a treasured feathered friend to the family during a harrowing time. Picture: Supplied/Cameron Bloom

And while the images by Mr Bloom, a professional photographer, went global, Mr Bloom said he never initially wanted to talk about his wife’s accident. Picture: Supplied/Cameron Bloom

It was only when a publisher phoned him at home one day, that he decided to share the full story.

“I didn’t want any pity,” Mr Bloom said.

Mr Bloom’s stunning pictures became a hit around the world. Picture: Supplied/Cameron Bloom

“I thought no one would want to buy a book with our kids and a magpie. I said if we did it I’d like to tell Sam’s story. She said ‘who’s Sam?’

“So I told her the story and she said, ‘Oh my God that’s amazing’.”

Images from the Penguin Bloom book from Cameron Bloom, Supplied.

Mr Bloom enlisted old friend and top writerBradley Trevor Greive, who penned The Blue Day Book, to write the words.

And after a week on sale the book’s been a big hit.

Reuben 14, Oli, ten, and Noah 12, survey the sky for Penguin. Picture: Martin Lange

“I’ve just got an email from my publisher who said it’s the top fifth selling book at Dymocks, and it’s been reprinted already,” he said.

“I think when I paired up the images, it’s so much more powerful.”

Penguin Bloom tells the Newport family’s story of not only how they raised a magpie which became a sensation around the world but also how the bird helped them deal with a life-changing accident. Picture: Supplied/Cameron Bloom

Sadly Penguin doesn’t know about her success yet.

The family haven’t seen her since last August.

She turned up at a Newport cafe the day before they travelled to Italy to support Sam at the Paracanoe World Championships. Mrs Bloom has become one of Australia’s best canoeists.

While Sam came to terms with not being able to walk, Penguin prepared to fly away alone, as she initially strugled getting to know other magpies. Picture: Supplied/Cameron Bloom

Penguin became a treasured member of the family. Picture: Supplied/Cameron Bloom

“It was amazing. She flew onto my shoulder from 20m away,” Mr Bloom said.

The book will help raise money for SpinalCure Australia.

Details: Visit penguinthemagpie.com.

Mr Bloom’s exhibition of the images is on until Saturday at the Arthouse Gallery in Rushcutters bay