CHICAGO, Nov. 7 /PRNewswire/ --

Who: Dr. Irene Pepperberg is an associate research professor at Brandeis University in Massachusetts, and teaches animal cognition at Harvard University. She is head of the Alex Foundation and author of "The Alex Studies: Cognitive and Communicative Abilities of Grey Parrots." Her work has been featured in major newspapers and magazines in the United States and Europe, as well as on television, including the now famous interview of Alex by Alan Alda on "Scientific American Frontiers."

What: Dr. Irene Pepperberg will read from and sign her "New York Times" bestselling book, "Alex & Me: How a Scientist and a Parrot Uncovered a Hidden World of Animal Intelligence - and Formed a Deep Bond in the Process."

    When:  Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.


    Where:  Borders
            1 N. LaGrange Road
            LaGrange, IL 60525
            (708) 579-9660

Why: Readers and animal lovers won't want to miss this opportunity to hear Dr. Pepperberg discuss her astonishing scientific research and her unique relationship with her subject, an African grey parrot who gained worldwide fame for his remarkable language skills.

Of the 8 million parrots in the United States, none was more famous than Alex, the African grey who spent 30 years in the loving care of Dr. Pepperberg until his untimely death in September 2007. The public outpouring of grief over his loss was enormous - and global. Alex had become famous for his intelligence, learning over 100 words and many concepts, and even sounding out words and making logical leaps. But the full story of his relationship with Irene was a story of emotional ties - parrots mate for life, developing unique duets with their partners. In addition, parrots exhibit affection and jealousy, and crave attention -- Alex did all this with Irene. His last words to her were "I love you, too. You'll be in tomorrow?" He passed away that night.

"Alex & Me" is a story of adventure for both Irene and Alex. She was 28 when she bought Alex in a pet shop -- a one-year-old parrot whose future was uncertain. They grew through their adulthoods together, as Irene's laboratory was moved from university to university, while she struggled to force the scientific world to take a "bird brain" seriously. At age eight, Alex was coining new terms: he called an apple a "banerry" (combining cherry-red with banana, the fruit he knew best). At MIT, he loved to play games in the Media Lab, and he sulked when Irene didn't pay attention to him. He also showered her with attention and affection: if she grew agitated, he would tell her to "calm down."

Media: Media interested in attending this event should contact Kristen Sohacki at (708) 860-7650 or ksohack1@bordersgroupinc.com.

Media interested in interviewing or learning more about Dr. Pepperberg should contact Gretchen Crary at (212) 207-7582 or gretchen.crary@harpercollins.com.

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SOURCE Borders