July 15, 2021
Feathered friends are flustered when flamingos move into the neighborhood. Flamboyance describes a group of flamingos, just like a waddle of penguins or a brood of chickens. But these flamingos aren't just flamboyantly bright pink--they also wear tiaras and feather boas, and one sports a rainbow mohawk. The longtime residents are all atwitter, often alliteratively. A "gaggle of geese gathered to gab. 'Flamingos! Really? In our backyard?' " Every bird family seems to have an opinion, and it's a negative one. A squadron of pelicans creates a daytime neighborhood watch. Nightingales take the late shift. Finally, all the birds flock together to march on the flamingos' new home. Luckily, when the flamingos open their door, wrens chime, "Stay calm," and the wisdom of owls has brought "a heaping plate of algae for the new neighbors." The flamingos then reveal a surprise--a "welcome to our home" party--with all their new neighbors invited. For all the colorful illustrations, fun collective nouns (a list is in the backmatter), and clever wordplay and alliteration, this book has a serious message about "inclusion, exclusion, and the stereotypes, fears, and assumptions that can lead to discrimination," as the author's note explains. Dialogue in the concluding scene is unsubtle ("Differences don't have to be scary"; "What were we getting so worked up about?"), but this story is a welcome springboard for age-appropriate discussions of assumptions, stereotypes, and inclusion. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Engaging wordplay makes a serious point about inclusion. (Picture book. 5-8)
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October 15, 2021
Grades K-3 Six vibrant flamingos with rainbow mohawks, scarves, and handbags make quite a splash when they arrive in a quaint, quiet town. The townsfolk--all birds--aren't happy about this and criticize their new neighbors for being too pink, having necks that are too long, and being altogether too extravagant. The residents decide to confront the flamingos and tell them to leave. However, when they arrive at the flamingos' very pink house, they realize that these birds are nice, attentive, and fun. From the author of Accordionly (2020) comes another clever book about stereotypes, uncomfortable feelings, acceptance, and inclusion. What's more, readers will also learn about birds, their groupings, and animal behavior within a fun, well-told story reminiscent of Daniel Pinkwater's The Big Orange Splot. The book, full of wordplay and alliteration, includes a list of birds and their associated collective nouns. A final note to readers defines the word flamboyant, explains its derogatory usage toward members of the gay community, and highlights the story's playful and positive reclamation of this term.
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