Felipe the Flamingo
by Jill Ker Conway; illustrated by Lokken Millis
Published by Fulcrum Publishing
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Reviewed by Connie Anderson
New York Times best-selling author Jill Ker Conway has written a charming story that has several themes relevant to all children:
--The pain of teasing and name calling
--Body image (being different)
--Supporting and helpful friends
--Loving parents
The drawings by Lokken Millis are whimsical and wonderful, incorporating ocean birds and turtles in their natural surroundings.
Little ones would love this fun and funny story read to them. Middle readers will enjoy the new words they will learn, like: "raucous laugh"; "orange fritillaries" (butterflies,),and her hair was plaited (braided) in a long pigtail."
In the end Felipe the Flamingo, who had a stiff and short neck and white feathers, has human and ocean friends who help him solve the problem, stretch his neck so he can eat, and feed him until he can eat the food that makes him pink--like all the other flamingos. Until then, he is teased and very unhappy.
Armchair Interviews says: Felipe had a great adventure that any child will enjoy being a part of as his parents, his friends and he work to help him become PINK.