PAINT THE TOWN PINK

A town flocks together to welcome an unexpected fuchsia visitor.

Rose, a new flamingo in town, travels through the pages “in search for a flock of her own.” Her bright color makes her a good fit in a bridal party. Her flair allows Rose to be admitted in a flamenco dance troupe. And the flamingo’s iconic standing position qualifies her for a yoga class. As Rose searches for a family, readers are prompted to see which of Rose’s qualities make her both fit into each particular group and stand apart from them. Although she’s a good candidate for multiple groups, “none of them felt quite right.” The whole town becomes invested in making Rose a part of their flock, and townsfolk begin, as the title indicates, painting it pink to make the flamingo feel welcome in their society. Pink foods, pink yarns, and pink landmarks are all part of the town’s efforts to maintain their most “flamboyant” visitor as a permanent resident. Doody’s (Mallard Mallard, Moose, 2018, etc.) playful illustrations elicit sympathy from readers as Rose searches for a place to belong, delicately lined cartoons depicting the multiracial residents of this small Newfoundland city interacting with the bird. The backmatter, although concise, provides interesting facts about flamingos such as their life span and the origin of their pinkish hue.

A heartening, sweet, and distinctive look at one unusual migrant’s successful quest for a new home.