Curious Chris

Why No Flamingos?

Children - Animals
32 Pages
Reviewed on 12/27/2023
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Curious Chris: Why No Flamingos? is a children's book in the animal care, nature, and educational writing subgenres. It is a delightful picture book for young and accompanied readers and was penned by author Cindy B. Witty with illustrations by artist Sally Garland. This charming story chronicles the adventures of Chris, a relentlessly curious boy with a barrage of questions. When his parents decide it's time for a pet, Chris is faced with the challenge of choosing the perfect one. His heart is set on a "falingmo," a delightful misspelling that adds to the appeal of the story. However, the local animal shelter doesn't have flamingos, leading Chris to explore the world of dogs up for adoption.

Author Cindy B. Witty captures the curiosity of a young mind perfectly in this well-crafted picture book, weaving in a heartwarming message about pet adoption that is warmly informative and filled with joy. Chris's journey to find the ideal pet encourages children to embrace the idea of adopting animals in need, a moral message that parents and educators will no doubt love sharing and discussing with their little ones. The illustrations by artist Sally Garland complement the narrative beautifully with their bright designs and clear emotional meaning, making it an engaging and visually appealing read that children will want to revisit again and again. The inclusion of a page supporting pet adoption adds a meaningful touch to the story that can be followed up on by curious minds. This book could act as a great primer for any family looking to introduce their kids to the idea before they take the plunge and adopt. Overall, I would certainly recommend Curious Chris as a delightful tale that resonates with both children and families, fostering a love for animals and curiosity about the world with its bright, imaginative storytelling.

Rosie Malezer

Curious Chris: Why No Flamingos? is a children's book written by Cindy B. Witty and illustrated by Sally Garland. Chris constantly asks questions about anything and everything, overwhelming his parents. They eventually decide to buy Chris a pet to keep him busy. When they take him to the local shelter, Chris calls out FALINGMO! Everyone is confused by this until a shelter staff member asks if he means flamingo. When Chris nods, the staff member advises there are no flamingos available, but there are many cats and dogs. Chris sees a sad dog and adopts him, naming him Angel. Chris likes how Angel crouches down, making it look like he is doing yoga. From this moment on, Chris saves all his questions for his new buddy, Angel.

I found Curious Chris: Why No Flamingos? to be a delightful tale. Having formerly worked at the RSPCA, it truly is life-saving educating children about animal rescues and why it is so important to adopt a shelter pet. Chris was funneling his energy into questions people couldn't answer. However, the animal shelter was able to provide him with the perfect little listening buddy, as well as help him channel his energy toward his new furry friend. Animals not only end up at a shelter because they aren't wanted, but also because they are mistreated, abused, or because their human owner has died. Animals at rescue centers rely on people with big hearts to give them a second chance in life. Chris, in this instance, had the biggest heart by adopting his furry friend, Angel, who would never get tired of any of the questions he asked. I highly recommend Cindy B. Witty's marvelous tale, Curious Chris, to all young readers so they can learn early in life that animals need love too.

Shrabastee Chakraborty

Chris’ biggest asset was his inquisitive nature. Not a single moment went by without Chris asking one question or another. Try as they might, his parents could not keep up with all the answers. Desperate, they decided to get Chris a pet because taking care of it would consume much of his time. However, when they asked him what kind of a pet he wanted, Chris did not come up with an answer for the first time. Why on earth does he want a flamingo as a pet? What happens when Chris finds that flamingos are not available for adoption? Find out in Curious Chris: Why No Flamingos?, written by Cindy B. Witty and illustrated by Sally Garland.

This lovely story is perfect for young readers whose natural curiosity will help them relate to the cute, bespectacled hero. Each page, containing only a couple of sentences and lots of onomatopoeic words, captures their attention. I laughed out loud when Chris wished for a “falingmo.” Sally Garland added to the book's charm with her colorful illustrations that perfectly capture the characters’ expressions. The bewildered faces of Chris’ parents and the pet shop owner at his request or Chris’ dejected face upon not finding a pet flamingo accurately convey their emotions. The scenes where Chris plays with his newfound pet fill our hearts with joy and love. Curious Chris: Why No Flamingos? sends a positive message about adopting a pet and taking care of it while also introducing young readers to the actual process of adoption.