Flora and the Peacocks

Starred review from May 2, 2016
Flora dances on in her elegant third picture book, following the Caldecott Honor–winning Flora and the Flamingo and its sequel, Flora and the Penguin. Working in a green-and-turquoise color scheme, Idle wordlessly traces Flora’s encounter with two peacocks, whose outstretched tails echo the semicircular shape of the fan Flora holds as she dances. One peacock takes to Flora and the other feels left out; glued-in flaps help move the story forward while amplifying the emotional tug-of-war. One broken fan later, a massive foldout brings the story to a moving finale in which kindness and compromise win the day. Ages 3–5. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.

Starred review from March 15, 2016
While Idle's previous titles (Flora and the Flamingo, 2013, etc.) feature her young, white dancer with a single avian partner, this story presents a pas de trois. The challenge, therefore, is how to manage balance: on the stage, across a double-page spread, among friends. The choreography creates the narrative in this wordless performance, with opportunities for audience participation via flaps. In the opening scene, a fan-wielding Flora poses alone; the peacocks are paired. Wispy willow branches form a proscenium arch atop the extravagant white backdrop. The dancers are arrayed in coordinated teal and green splendor with yellow highlights. When one bird crosses the gutter, a dance ensues on the verso, a drama on the recto. The birds' parallel symmetry is now inverted: the partners reach up, the lone peacock disdainfully displays downward. As Flora plants a foot on each page, readers decide whether to make tails match or contrast. They are also the agents for a tug of war over the fan. Idle's nuanced postures and expressions capture the peacocks' wounded pride perfectly. When the fragile prop breaks in a climactic close-up, the despondent protagonist stalks off the page. The birds find a solution, and a glorious gatefold, measuring 18 by 33 inches, puts a joyful Flora at the center of a dazzling and harmonious display. Design, engineering, and art intersect to deliver a virtuoso interpretation of the pitfalls and pleasures of triads. (Picture book. 3-7)

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Starred review from April 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 1-Idle's story introduces a new dance-one of friendship. Flora, holding her Japanese fan, greets two peacocks. However, only one becomes interested by her presence, which inspires jealousy within its comrade. The dance between the characters creates drama that leaves Flora upset. But a graceful end supports the notion that a duo can be a trio, as the peacocks apologize and unite to restore Flora's broken fan. The visual narrative depicts the polarizing emotions that can ensue when it comes to adopting new friends. Although this is a wordless picture book, movable flaps and the more than noticeable facial and body expressions help young readers understand the conflict. Through blues, greens, and yellows, Idle depicts lovely peacocks, and the white backdrop creates a perfect stage for this gentle dance of kinship. The grand finale foldout is a showstopping, if somewhat fragile, element. VERDICT A fun and flashy selection for all collections.-Briana Moore, School Library Journal

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