Hotel Flamingo: Carnival Caper; Alex Milway

Anna Dupont is making a real success of the Hotel Flamingo. It looks splendid, the guests are happy and the staff are doing a fabulous job. The autumn season has come to an end and it is time for one last big event before the winter months. It’s almost time for the most important day of the year on Animal Boulevard…the Carnival. It is Anna’s first Carnival and she and her staff are busy decorating the hotel. Mrs. Toadly, the Carnival organiser, has chosen the Hotel Flamingo to lead the Carnival and everyone is excited to be given the honour. But with only one week to go until the celebrations, it will be a challenge to build a float worthy of leading the Carnival and win the Golden Palm.

There’s not just the float to build either, the hotel must be run and new guests welcomed. And the abilities of Anna and her staff will really be tested with the arrival of smelly skunks, a giggling group of parrots and a famous rock band. Bad vibes are in the air, the band are having some serious issues with their band manager and the storm clouds are circling above Animal Boulevard and are threatening to make Carnival Day a wash-out. It looks like Anna is facing her biggest challenge yet, but as Ms. Fragranti says, “The show must go on.”

Carnival Caper is a brilliant, heart-warming and feel good read that shows what can be achieved through hard-work, teamwork and determination. Anna does her absolute best to make sure everyone is happy at her hotel and goes out of the way to meet all of their individual needs. Messages of inclusivity shine through as well as everyone is welcome at Hotel Flamingo. Anna is a wonderfully positive role-model for young readers. She stands up to bullies, is full of kindness, is all for helping others and gives people down on their luck a chance.

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 spiders that are hidden throughout the book.

Readers familiar with the first two books in this series will be delighted to meet new characters and there’s also a new part of the hotel to discover. Grab your carnival clothes (feathers and pink are optional but strongly encouraged) and join Anna at the Hotel Flamingo for one big party.

Recommended for 5+.