cover image Flamingo's First Christmas

Flamingo's First Christmas

Nancy Raines Day, , illus. by Fiona Robinson. . Abrams, $15.95 (32pp) ISBN 978-0-8109-5765-7

Red and green lights? Decorated palm trees? Just what is the flap going on in Miami in late December? Flamingo is on a quest to find out in Day's (Double Those Wheels ) holiday story with some South Florida flash. The perky pink bird soon stumbles, literally, upon a number of Christmas traditions. The novice's viewpoint brings comic perspective to the holiday: he's nearly trampled in the shopping rush and then spies a long line of kids waiting for Santa ("They weren't going anywhere fast"). After some humorous missteps, Flamingo finds he can play a special role in the Christmas chaos after all. Robinson's (The Useful Moose ) tall oil paintings emphasize Flamingo's lanky legs—and all the good-natured silliness of the book's scenario. Ages 4-8. (Nov.)