Explore the heartwarming tale of Floss, a unique flamingo with wobbly legs, as she navigates friendship, self-belief, and acceptance in a world that celebrates diversity and teamwork.

Introduction to “Kids Ask, Author Answer”

Kids Ask, Authors Answer is a fun YouTube series where kids get to ask children's book authors anything they want!  The author does not know the questions in advance, and it's all filmed LIVE.  Your kids can participate in future episodes too! There is information on how to participate at the end.  In this blog, we dive deep into one such episode, featuring Joanne Moore,  the celebrated author of Floss the Wobbly Flamingo.  She also has 2 other books in this series as well and is working on more.

Meet the Authors: Behind "Kids Ask, Author Answer"

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.

Special Guest Author Joanne Moore

Joining them in this session is Jo, the author of "The Bit Different Collection". Jo's books celebrate the beauty of differences and include heartwarming themes of friendship, self-belief, and self-confidence. In this episode, Jo talks about one of her special books, "Floss the Wobbly Flamingo", which tells the charming story of a flamingo born with weak legs.

Exploring "Floss the Wobbly Flamingo"

Inspiration Behind the Story

Max, one of the inquisitive young participants, asked why Jo chose a flamingo for her story. Jo shared that her fascination with flamingos began in her childhood. She found the poised and graceful flamingos reminiscent of ballerinas, especially with their pink color resembling tutus. This unique connection between her love for flamingos and dancing set the perfect foundation for creating a story about a flamingo character.

The Name "Floss"

Ella's question about the name "Floss" led to an interesting backstory. Jo explained that "floss" comes from "candy floss" (or "cotton candy" in the US), reflecting the flamingo's pink and fluffy appearance. It was a name she thought suitable for a flamingo ever since she was a child.

Unique Traits and Symbols

Hannah asked why the flamingo in the story had rainbow wings, a sparkly beak, and weak legs. Jo emphasized that these traits symbolize the character's uniqueness and specialness. She wanted to illustrate that everyone has multiple differences, making them unique in various ways. The rainbow wings and sparkly beak were also inspired by Jo's love for rainbows, glitter, and everything colorful.

Real-Life Reflections and Representation

Representation of Disabilities

Ethan's question about the shoes that Floss wears led Jo to highlight an important aspect of the book. The shoes help Floss with her wobbly legs, akin to real-life splints used by children and adults with leg issues. This detail was a thoughtful way to represent disabilities and the aids used to cope with them.

Feeling Different

Ella asked how Floss felt about being different, and Jo's response was a touching reflection on self-acceptance and support. Although Floss starts off confident and proud, she has moments of doubt, especially when faced with challenges like catching food. Eventually, it's the support from her friends that helps her embrace her uniqueness again.

Hidden Surprises in the Illustrations

Lor's observation about the crocodile hiding in the trees led to an intriguing revelation from Jo. Jo hides characters from her other books in the illustrations, like a fun puzzle for readers to find. It adds an extra layer of interactivity and delight for the children reading her stories.

Fun Facts and Personal Insights from Joe

Favorite Foods and Snacks

Ethan, curious about Jo's preferences, asked what she likes to eat when hungry. Jo revealed her savory tooth, with crisps (known as chips in the US) being her go-to snack. She humorously added that any flavor would do except the occasional festive flavor she didn't like.

Love for Pandas

When asked about her favorite animal besides flamingos, Jo expressed her fondness for pandas. She enjoys watching videos of pandas being playful, often sharing these moments with her husband. Pandas' adorable antics bring her joy and amusement.

Pets and Their Personalities

Annabelle's question about pets gave a glimpse into Jo's life with her adorable rabbit, Dolly, and fast-moving tortoise, Dobby. This section provides a personal touch, showing how these pets, though very different from Floss, bring joy and unique experiences to Joe's life.

Conclusion

"Kids Ask Authors Answer" not only provides a platform for fun and interaction but also deepens the bond between young readers and the stories they love. It encourages children to delve into the world of storytelling, drawing inspiration from the very creators of their favorite tales. This initiative makes reading an exciting, interactive, and deeply personal experience, ensuring that the magic of stories continues to thrive in the hearts of its youngest admirers.

Want to grab a copy of Floss the Wobbly Flamingo?  You can find it here*: https://amzn.to/4gVs3LR

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

Follow a group of over 150+ children's book authors on Instagram (all on 1 account), and we are growing on Facebook as well.  By following you will get the latest news about giveaways, free ebooks, new releases, and more!

IG: https://www.instagram.com/discoverkidsbooks/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/discoverkidsbooks

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