Author: Alex Milway
Publisher: Piccadilly Press
Details: £6.99, paperback, 192pp
ISBN: 978-1848127753
A story of friendship, teamwork and perseverance, the book has a simple but fun plotline for the children to follow. The characters in the story are funny and bold, hooking the reader in early on in the plot line. Anna arrives at a rundown hotel that she has recently inherited and is determined to turn it around. She makes friends with the staff who in turn help her to make the hotel a success. As a class, we decided that we’d like to be friends with T. Bear the most, just for the chance of being able to give him a big cuddle.
The book itself is aesthetically pleasing, with cute cartoon illustrations throughout. We particularly enjoyed the hidden snails throughout the book that we were tasked with finding. The illustrations are strategically placed throughout the book, which means it easy to follow for younger readers and provides a fluid transition from picture books to short chapter books. But the fun characters and storyline make it irresistible for more confident readers, too.
Teaching in a mixed Year 1/2 class, I am always hunting for a longer text to challenge my more able readers but one that is still age appropriate for children that are only just seven. I was beginning to believe that there was a gap in the market here, so I was thrilled when this book arrived for my class to review. We really enjoyed sharing this book as a whole class and many of the children are fighting over the copies to read again themselves and take home to share with their parents.
My class are already keen to share with other children in the school and are really hoping there will be a sequel. They all said they would recommend this book to other readers, particularly if you like reading books with talking animals in!
Isobel Potter is a Year 1 and 2 teacher at Barnham Church of England VC Primary School in Norfolk
I like that the girl can talk to the animals and I wish that animals could talk to us like that. I like reading books with animals in them.
Florence, aged 7
I’ve stayed in a hotel before and I could imagine it being like Hotel Flamingo.
Matilda, aged 7
I would give the book five out of five stars because it has lots of things in it that I like. I like the animals and I like that it has a happy ending.
Lucy, aged 7
Everyone works together to make the hotel better and they work as a team. You have to read until the end to see if they can make the hotel better.
Josh, aged 7
I want to stay at Hotel Flamingo. It looks really fun and I want to see if the Lemur is asleep. He is really funny.
Holly, aged 7
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If you or your class would like to write a review, please contact kate.parker@tes.com
