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Summary
Summary
Meet Flo, a relaxed little panda. In a world with so much to do, she likes to sleep in, explore, and enjoy everything around her. But sometimes Flo takes too much time to get going, and the other pandas get impatient. One day they find themselves in trouble, and it's Flo's floppy ways that just might save the day. This funny picture book suggests that rather than racing to keep up with the crowd, we take our time to do nothing much at all--to go with Flo!
Author Notes
Kyo Maclear is the author of many critically acclaimed and popular books for children, including Julia, Child; The Wish Tree; The Specific Ocean; Virginia Wolf; and Spork. She lives in Toronto, Canada. Learn more about her at kyomaclearkids.com.Jay Fleck is the illustrator of Double Take written by Susan Hood, Black Belt Bunny written by Jacky Davis, and Everything You written by Elizabeth McPike. He lives in Shorewood, Illinois, with his family. Visit him online at jayfleck.com.
Reviews (3)
Horn Book Review
Curious and absentminded Flo, the smallest panda, likes taking her time and lounging ("her number-one saying is 'Get floppy!'"). Although this frustrates the other pandas with their daily tight schedule of activities, her "floppy," relaxed ways are more appealing after a near-disaster. Spare, brightly drawn illustrations and occasional speech-bubble dialogue complement the simple message that slowing down can be a good thing. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Flo is the smallest member of a large family of overprogrammed pandas. She is intensely curious and easily distracted. She explores "the immense and mysterious sea" in her bathtub, eccentrically dressed in a woolen cap and snorkel. While getting ready for the day she dances to whale song. The other pandas have been waiting for her for a while. They are dressed in sporty garb and holding unicycles. They wait while Flo works her way through a large stack of pancakes and savors the last strawberry. When she finally joins the others, they show her their elaborate schedule for the week, with myriad activities listed. Flo's personal activities consist of greeting birds, clouds, butterflies, and roses with exquisite good cheer: "Hello, Roses that I would like to stop and smell." When the other pandas give up and abandon her for their next scheduled activity, which ends in mild calamity, readers won't be surprised that it's Flo who comes to the rescue. The deadpan text works beautifully with speech balloons that extend characterizations. Fleck's whimsical, bold, bright, acrylic illustrations set the tone perfectly for this lighthearted tale, Flo and the other pandas standing out against muted pastels. Flo is distinguished from the other pandas by accessories, her size, and her smile.Though clearly a message about the dangers of overscheduling children, the lesson goes down easily; caregivers may even take note. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Flo, the smallest member of a group of pandas, likes to keep her own (slow) pace. While the rest of her family is briskly following their schedule each day, Flo may be undersea exploring in the bathtub, singing a cheerful tune as she dresses, savoring each breakfast pancake, or exploring anything and everything around her. The other pandas try to be patient, but on motorboating day, they finally get tired of waiting and leave Flo to play on the beach. When the boat breaks down, however, it is Flo who has made friends and can stage a rescue. Solid, flat saturated colors give the illustrations a clear, uncluttered appearance. Whimsical touches such as the characters' headgear and bored expressions add visual humor, although adults may need to explain about the old-fashioned gramophone Flo uses for music. Flo is exhilarated by the success of her mission, while the other pandas recover by trying her favorite activity resting, or as she puts it, getting floppy. The pandas' experiences give all of them a greater appreciation for life balance.--Whitehurst, Lucinda Copyright 2018 Booklist
