Hotel Flamingo; Alex Milway

You know that feeling when you arrive somewhere only to be completely disappointed as it is nothing like what you have seen in the photographs. Well, that is exactly the situation that Anna Dupont finds herself in.

Anna Dupont is thrilled to have inherited the Hotel Flamingo from her great-aunt. But when she arrives at the hotel it looks nothing like it does in the photograph that she has of it. The hotel is in a dire state and is desperate need of repair. It hasn’t seen a guest for three years and all the employees have left apart from T. Bear and Lemmy the Lemur. Oh, and there’s also a secret guest who has fallen into a rather long hibernation. With the grand Glitz the hotel of choice on Animal Boulevard Anna faces an uphill struggle to return the Hotel Flamingo to its former glory. With the help of a team of eclectic animals including Stella (a giraffe handy-woman), a ferocious chef in Madame Le Pig, Eva Koala and a mouse called Squeak, Anna sets out to bring sunshine back to the Flamingo Hotel.

When a hotel inspector turns up quickly followed by Mr. Ruffian, the owner of The Glitz, the future of the hotel looks in grave danger and Anna’s hopes of staying in business rest on Ms. Fragranti and her cast of performing flamingos…

Hotel Flamingo is a brilliant, heart-warming and funny read that shows what can be achieved through hard-work, teamwork and determination. Anna refuses to let the hotel fail and it is this positive attitude and the work of her team that ultimately makes the hotel a success. Anna is a brilliant role-model for young readers. Despite the dire situation of the hotel, Anna is filled with hope and enthusiasm and her positive attitude is infectious and she quickly has T. Bear and Lemmy believing that the the hotel can once again be full of guests and happiness. Messages of inclusivity shine through as well as everyone is welcome at Hotel Flamingo and Anna will ensure that all individual needs are met - even if that means facing the wrath of Madame Le Pig!

The read is filled throughout with illustrations in shades of pink that bring the story and characters to life. I love a book with a map and there is a lovely little holiday-themed map which includes all manner of holiday fun - Carnival Opera House and Glow Worm Point would be top of my to visit list. This is the perfect read for children looking for a longer chapter book that still has illustrations to break up the text. Readers are also tasked with the challenge of finding twenty snails that are hidden within the illustrations. As an added bonus there is also a recipe for T. Bear’s famous Lettuce Soup (just incase you ever have a hungry tortoise as a guest).

Hotel Flamingo is the perfect summer holiday destination. So what are you waiting for, pack your bags and step through the now-working-revolving-door of Hotel Flamingo where literally everyone is welcome.

Recommended for 5+.