Growing a Reader: Kids' Books, Tips and More

Toronto Zoo – September 2018

I LOVE FLAMINGOS!!

And if you love flamingos like I do, you probably like to celebrate them in little ways every day: 

• by wearing flamingo clothing, jewelry, or accessories.
• drinking out of a flamingo glass or mug.
• using flamingo patterns to decorate your bedroom or other rooms in your house.
• putting a plastic one (or more!) in your garden or planter box or out on your lawn.

And if you don't currently have a fuchsia-feathered friend standing tall outside your home, maybe you'll want to get one in time to celebrate "Pink Flamingo Day" on June 23.

 I Went to the Supermarket by Paul Howard (Ages 4-7)

"Pink Flamingo Day" was created in 2007 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the plastic lawn ornaments created by (the appropriately named) Don Featherstone but I think June 23 should be a day to celebrate all flamingos, whether fake or feathered.

So why not read a story starring a fabulous flamingo or five:

Sylvie by Jennifer Sattler (Ages 3-6)

The Carnivorous Crocodile by Jonnie Wild (Ages 4-6)

The Mud Monster by Jonnie Wild (Ages 4-6)+

Or sing along with a book based on a song that, in these cases, feature flamingos:

"Down by the flamingos, early in the morning. See the little chick waiting to go."

"The flamingos on the bus go flap, flap, flap."

Down by the Station by Will Hillenbrand (Ages 3-5)

The Wheels on the Bus by Jane Cabrera (Ages 2-5)

You could read a poem about a flamingo or write one of your own:

Floyd the Flamingo and his Flock of Friends by Tiffany Stone (Ages 8-12)

I Did It Because — How a Poem Happens by Loris Lesynski (Ages 8-12)

Or if you prefer arts and crafts you could create your own fine fowl:

(See pages 14 & 15)

(See pages 16 & 17)

Learn to Draw Birds & Butteflies: Step-by-Step Instructions for more than 25 Winged Creatures (Ages 8-12)

Zoo Animal Crafts by Annalees Lim (Ages 6-10) - Maybe you could use pipe cleaners in place of the plastic straws (as suggested in this book) when making your own flamingo so that you can be more environmentally friendly to all of our animal friends!

And don't forget to learn a little more about real flamingos:

Flamingos, Loons and Pelicans by Mel Boring (Ages 8-12)

So why not flock to your favourite Toronto Public Library and find a way to celebrate Flamingo Day.

HOORAY FOR FABULOUS FLAMINGOS!!