THE FLAMINGO WITH TWO LEFT FEET

Fernando, an earnest, young flamingo, believes he has two clumsy left feet and will never be able to dance in Bonesteel’s beginning reader.

Without graceful dancing skills, how will Fernando ever attract a mate? The flamingo works on some moves, but just as he starts to get the hang of it, he slips and faceplants in the water. Wading to shore, he sees a group of laughing flamingos, who tell him, “Give it up, twinkle toes. No flamingo will ever choose you.” Fernando’s now thoroughly discouraged, but his mother tells him: “Dance with your heart. Your feet will follow,” and she reminds him to be himself. Bolstered by her encouragement, Fernando keeps practicing and becomes a confident dancer. He also turns his feathers into an eye-catching rosy pink color by eating shrimp and plankton. Before long, the youngster is ready to participate in The Dance on the Water, a ritual during which the birds strut their stuff to try and impress potential mates. When Fernando tumbles during the performance, he’s certain he’ll be alone forever. But it’s his big splash that captures the attention of Felicia, his perfect match. The book closes with the happy couple and their gray-feathered son, Felipe, dancing in the water. Young audiences might not relate to Fernando’s desperate quest to find a mate, but the book’s simple messages about self-acceptance, perseverance, and unconditional love, delivered in plain text, will resonate, and seeing flamingo characters in the spotlight adds a dash of originality to otherwise generic themes. The tropical color palette (pretty hues of pink, green and blue) is pleasing, though the digitally rendered illustrations of somewhat characterless flamingos feel static. A wider range of distances, scenery, and expressions might add visual appeal. The backmatter includes interesting facts about flamingos’ diet, mating habits, and anatomy.

A wholesome, informative tale about determination with flat artwork.