Some days they would come home dejected-other days elated-depending on how well their attempts had fared. Figuring out how to make friends amidst a sea of kids was a tricky business. My boys contribution to the story came as they were starting school. When they were little, my sister would dress them in matching bathing suits and swim caps- ADORABLE! I do remember my inspirations for the story though: My nieces- Sarah and Katie, my two boys, and my proclivity for puns. I wish I could remember exactly how the idea was hatched. Ah, which came first- the Flamingo or the egg. How did the idea for FLORA AND THE FLAMINGO come to you?Ī. Was it relatable? So, seeing it embraced wholeheartedly by so many people does my heart good. The story was so close to my heart as I worked on it, that when it was done, I wondered if a book that felt so personal to me would translate to readers. Which, I suppose is appropriate, given that FLORA is a wordless picture book. The reception that the book has received from kids, and the kidlit world, really leaves me speechless. Hi Elizabeth- thank you so much for having me over!Īnd thank you too for your kind words about FLORA AND THE FLAMINGO. Hi Molly, thanks for stopping by! Congratulations on FLORA AND THE FLAMINGO! It seems the entire Kidlitosphere has fallen in love with your creation - what has it been like to receive so much press?Ī. Today, I have the great pleasure of hosting Molly at and asking her more about her work. It's called FLORA AND THE FLAMINGO and was created by an artist whose work I adore (and who is a fellow member of the Picture Book Artists Association), Molly Idle. It was established in 1955 and inaugurated next year for 1955 publications.There's a new wordless picture book out that has the children's book world all a buzz. The Medal is named after the 19th-century English illustrator of children's books Kate Greenaway (1846–1901). It is conferred upon the illustrator by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) which inherited it from the Library Association. The Kate Greenaway Medal is a British literary award that annually recognizes 'distinguished illustration in a book for children'. The Caldecott Medal is considered one of t he most prestigious American children's book awards.īeside the Caldecott Medal, the committee awards a variable number of citations to worthy runners-up, called the Caldecott Honors or Caldecott Honor Books. It is awarded to the illustrator by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association. The Caldecott Medal annually recognizes 'the most distinguished picture book for children' published in the United States, beginning with 1937 publications.

Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle