Join authors as they answer kids' questions about books, pets, and more. Discover the inspiration behind their stories and get a glimpse into the creative world of children's literature.

Introduction

Welcome back to "Kids Ask, Authors Answer," a delightful series where we bring together curious kids and talented children's book authors for a fun and engaging session. In each episode, children who have read a specific book send in their questions for the author, who answers them on the spot, without prior knowledge of what the questions are. This creates a spontaneous and often entertaining interaction that reveals more about the creative minds behind beloved children's books.  Your kids can join in on the next episode too! There is information on how to participate at the end.  

Meet the Authors

Amy Doslich and Samantha (Sam) Howard-Els

The show is hosted by Amy Doslich and Sam Howard-Els, both accomplished children's book authors. Amy Doslich is known for the "Hannah Banana and Mary Berry" series, while Samantha Howard-Els is recognized for her "Mungo" series and "Tiny Boo Halloween" book. Together, they create a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere where authors share insights and anecdotes, answering the questions sent in by their young fans.

Cindy Witty

Joining Amy and Sam in this episode is Cindy Witty, the author of "Curious Chris: Why No Flamingos" and "Musical Soulmates: A Girl Who Hears Music Everywhere." Cindy, a mother of three, drew inspiration from her own life experiences and her children for her books.

The Inspiration Behind "Curious Chris"

Cindy Witty's book "Curious Chris: Why No Flamingos" is inspired by her son Chris and their journey in adopting their pet dog, Charlie, from a local pet shelter. Cindy wanted the character to resemble every child, embodying curiosity and the joy of finding a special pet. The book not only shares a heartwarming story but also emphasizes the importance of adopting pets from shelters.

Kids' Questions and Authors' Answers

What Do Flamingos Do for Fun?

The first question came from Grace, who is six years old. She wanted to know if flamingos play games for fun. Cindy explained that while flamingos don't play games as humans do, they do play among themselves, especially as chicks. Cindy shared an interesting fact about how flamingos live in very salty environments, leading them to move around frequently to prevent salt from gathering around their ankles.

Boys and the Color Pink

Hannah and Mary asked why Chris's favorite color is pink despite him being a boy. Cindy explained that Chris, her son, has always liked the color pink. His confidence in his preference was a response to other boys being teased for liking the color. Cindy shared a heartwarming story about Chris standing up for his autistic friend by declaring his love for the color pink, which eventually stopped the teasing.

Seeing Flamingos Up Close

Connor, age seven, asked if Cindy had ever seen a flamingo up close. Cindy admitted that she hasn't, aside from seeing them at the zoo. Amy chimed in, sharing that at certain zoos, visitors can get quite close to flamingos, although touching them is not allowed.

The Role of Alexa

Lily, who is five, asked if Chris actually had an Alexa, since he could ask Alexa his curious questions. Cindy explained that when Chris was younger, Alexa wasn't around, but she imagines he would have loved having one to satiate his curiosity.

The Flamingo Pet Dream

Laura, age seven, wanted to know why Chris wanted a flamingo as a pet. Cindy shared the funny story of how Chris's mispronunciation of "flamingo" and his fascination with the bird prompted his desire to have one as a pet. This endearing mispronunciation is endearing and adds a charming layer to Chris's character.

A House Full of Pets and Favorite Animals

Sofia's question led Cindy to discuss her family's pets. With three dogs, Lizzy, Charlie, and Sulley, Cindy's favorite animals are naturally dogs. She explained that they've tried having fish before, but with less success.

Imaginary Food Rain

Edison’s curious mind led to a fun question about what food Cindy would choose if it rained food. Cindy answered with her favorite, cotton candy, but acknowledged tacos would also be a fun, albeit messy, option.

Gray Flamingos?

Hannah, age seven, asked if gray flamingos exist. Cindy confirmed that baby flamingos are indeed gray and turn pink based on their diet, primarily consisting of shrimp. This fascinating fact adds depth to the narrative of "Curious Chris" and the depiction of flamingos in the book.

Flamingos and Shrimp

Isla, age ten, asked a detailed question about how much shrimp flamingos eat to maintain their pink color. Cindy confessed she didn’t know the exact amount and Amy jokingly suggested asking Alexa.

Rapid Fire Round

The rapid-fire round is a fun segment where Cindy answers as many flamingo and dog-related questions as possible within a minute. She correctly answered several questions, showcasing her knowledge and enthusiasm for the topics. During this lively segment, Cindy learned new facts, such as the collective noun for flamingos being "a flamboyance" and that Labradors are known for being water-loving dogs with webbed feet.

More Questions from Kids

Why Doesn't Mr. Rogers Take All the Pets Home?

Ethan, age eight, asked why Mr. Rogers didn’t take all the pets home himself. Cindy humorously explained that Mr. Rogers would run out of space, emphasizing the challenges and responsibilities of pet ownership.

Why Is the Dog Lonely?

Mary, age three, asked why a dog would be lonely. Cindy shared that dogs in shelters often feel lonely because they are waiting for someone to choose them. She empathized with the emotional experience of wanting to adopt every pet at the shelter.

Kids and Yoga Poses

Edison, who is eight, proudly shared that he can do the downward dog yoga pose and asked Cindy about her favorite yoga pose. Cindy demonstrated her favorite pose, the flamingo pose, adding a humorous and interactive element to the session.

Creating a New Animal

Ella, age seven, asked about creating a new animal. Cindy imagined a dog with wings, combining her love for dogs with the fantasy element of flight. She envisioned a German Shepherd with wings, inspired by her favorite dog, Sulley.

Holidays Flamingos Celebrate

Grace wondered what holidays flamingos might celebrate. Cindy humorously suggested spring and summer, and the authors speculated about a possible National Shrimp Day.

Choosing Any Pet

Ethan asked if Cindy could have any pet in the world, what it would be. Cindy expressed her fascination with elephants, although she acknowledged they wouldn’t make practical pets.

Inspiration Behind the Story

Sofia's question about the inspiration behind "Curious Chris" allowed Cindy to reiterate how her children have inspired all her books. The stories are deeply personal and reflect her experiences raising her children.

Conclusion 

Through this episode, children not only gained insights into Cindy Witty’s creative process and personal experiences but also had their curiosities about flamingos and pets addressed in engaging and often humorous ways. The interaction nurtures a deeper connection between readers and their beloved books, making literature an interactive and dynamic experience. Bringing out the imagination and curiosity of children, initiatives like this serve as a reminder of the magic that books and stories hold in young minds.

Want to grab a copy of Curious Chris Why No Flamingos?  You can find it here*: https://amzn.to/4jyn8SD

Want to watch a read aloud of Curious Chris Why No Flamingos?  Watch it here! https://youtu.be/FBQfS3DfbXk&list=PLTquYiEn6uVq6zQLQPjx-C-cd3fHoeS10

You can also find Amy and Sam's books here:

Amy - Hannah Banana and Mary Berry series*: https://amzn.to/4eLoZ3G

Sam - Mungo series & Tiny Boo*: https://amzn.to/3CBx9OF

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Want your kid to participate in the next episode? Make sure you are subscribed to our YouTube channel to see who the next author coming soon is, read their book (always a free option!), and then send your questions to KidsAskAuthors@yahoo.com.

*These are affiliate links. If you happen to buy anything on Amazon through this link, it won't cost you any extra, and I will get a small amount! Thank you for your support! :D