Flo: A Picture Book

by Kyo Maclear

A witty picture book, starring an adorable panda, that celebrates relaxing, stopping to smell the roses, and being yourself!

Meet Flo! Flo is the littlest panda. She likes to explore, relax, and enjoy everything around her. She is never in a hurry. But . . . sometimes she takes too much time, and the other pandas get impatient. One day they find themselves in trouble. Can Flo’s floppy ways save the day? With Kyo Maclear’s sweet, spare text and Jay Fleck’s bold, bright illustrations, Flo is sure to be a favorite for even the busiest little pandas!

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Canada, Fiction, Humor, Family

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 16, 2018

About the author

Kyo Maclear is an essayist, novelist and children’s author. She was born in London, England and moved to Toronto at the age of four with her British father (a foreign correspondent and documentary filmmaker) and Japanese mother (a painter and art dealer).

Her books have been translated into eighteen languages, published in over twenty-five countries, and garnered nominations from the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction, the Governor General’s Literary Awards, the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Awards, the Amazon.ca First Novel Award, the National Magazine Awards, among other honours.

Unearthing: a Story of Tangled Love and Family Secrets (2023) was a national bestseller and awarded the Governor General’s Literary Award for Nonfiction. Her hybrid memoir Birds Art Life (2017) was a #1 National Bestseller and winner of the Trillium Book Award and the Nautilus Book Award for Lyrical Prose. It was named one of the best books of 2017 by The Globe and Mail, CBC, Now Magazine, the National Post, Forbes, the Chicago Review of Books, and Book Riot.

Her work has appeared in Orion Magazine, Brick, Border Crossings, The Millions, LitHub, The Volta, Prefix Photo, Resilience, The Guardian, Lion’s Roar, Azure, The Globe and Mail, and elsewhere. She has been a national arts reviewer for Canadian Art and a monthly arts columnist for Toronto Life.

Kyo holds a doctorate in environmental humanities teaches creative writing with The Humber School for Writers and the University of Guelph Creative Writing MFA.

She lives in Tkaronto/Toronto, on the traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the New Credit, the Haudenosaunee, Métis, and the Huron-Wendat.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 2 out of 5]

The adorable illustrations and their implied spirit carry this picture book more than the actual story itself as the intent of the story seems a bit too fuzzy. It could be a nice story to share with those who live in the moment but you'll have to expound upon potential messages for little dreamers and free spirits to grasp the meaning.

[Katy O. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It might be possible that I would love this one just as much if it were wordless - the illustrations are ADORABLE! A very cute story for the preschool crowd about slowing down and enjoying life. Anyone who has ever tried to rush a child to get somewhere will relate, as will the child who just wants to BE for once. And like I said, the illustrations are so, so sweet.

Thanks to the publisher for advance reader copy of this title - all opinions are my own.

[Kaethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the ever-growing list of picture books promoting freedom for kids and a less-scheduled life. Flo is more spontaneous and therefore more creative than the other pandas, so she saves the day. The pictures are restfully uncrowded, with simple lines, and they're cute, but the book didn't quite work for me.

Library copy

[Scottsdale Public Library]

Flo is simply delightful. She reminds us to stop and smell the roses and enjoy life more, without over scheduling ourselves. We should all be like Flo and "get floppy" more often. Absolutely adorable!! - Jen K.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars for illustrations... but the story was lacking. A cute character with potential, but it didn't work for me.

[Brittany · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only reason that this book received two stars from me is only because of the illustrations. They are super cute. The main character is fun, but the story is just everywhere. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason for it. I'm sure there are way cuter panda books out there for your little panda-lover.

[Amanda Blau · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is adorable here and features pandas and ducks and rubber ducks - 3 of my favorite things. The story is slight about accepting different rhythms and others who may not share our time table. There is a nice rescue at the end with giant duck as ocean rescue vehicle.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH I AM IN LOVE.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A busy, busy little panda with message about over scheduling kids.

[Jennifer Strong · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars for the cute pictures. Though the title is Flo, this story had no flow.

[Kit Feral · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book is about my oldest daughter in panda form.

[amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

i see a panda book, i read it. the end.

this was absolutely adorable! a great lesson in learning that sometimes, you need to slow down (or "get floppy!" as Flo likes to say).

[Syntha Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story about being yourself.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. The message of the book, over-scheduling diminishes imagination, is a good message, but the delivery is a little too heavy-handed to be humorous. The illustrations are cute, but border on precious.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably many of have known someone like Flo. She dawdles through life, taking her time exploring the world around her and literally stopping to smell the roses. While there's nothing inherently wrong with that, for individuals with busy, busy lives, it can be annoying to have to wait. Most of the time the bigger pandas don't mind waiting for Flo, but they are mindful of their busy Saturday agenda, and end up leaving her to her own devices on shore while they go off boating. As it turns out, they need to be rescued, and Flo is there to do just that, primarily because she's been paying attention to the little details around her. The message here is clear even though the rescue seemed a bit contrived to me. My favorite illustration featured an older panda with a chalk board filled with the days of the week and the various activities that have been crossed off as they were completed as though they were tasks and hurdles to be leaped over. Thank goodness for Sunday, which is not listed here, and promises a day of complete rest. Many of us adults can relate to this problem of having every free moment scheduled, but the picture book also provides a humorous reminder to caregivers to be careful not to fill up every moment of a child's day since everyone needs some downtime just to observe, dream, and think. Perhaps, learning to go with the flow will help us all enjoy life a lot more.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interest Level: K-3

Have you ever had those days where you just wanted to chill out and do your own thing? What about if you felt like this but you had other responsibilities that you were supposed to do? This is Flo! Flo is a panda bear that just kind of walks to her own beat. Flo is supposed to be helping her teammates but she is a bit...lazy. But what happens when her teammates get stuck out in the middle of the lake in a boat? Will Flo help or will she so preoccupied that she doesn't want to help? Read this cute book to see what happens.

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.

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[Jensy]

Flo is the smallest panda. She loves to relax and have fun. Her other panda friends are always ready for the day’s activities, but Flo always takes her time. She takes her time in eating her strawberry pancakes for breakfast, while everybody else is practicing cycling! Her panda friends try to explain to her their weekly routines, but Flo has other plans. She enjoys spending her time on other activities such as singing with birds, or smelling the wonderful roses. One day, her panda friends got stranded on a boat, but Flo was there to the rescue! Flo is an easy-going panda who loves having fun!

Flo the smallest panda, was able to rescue her friends! On a piece of paper, draw a time where you saved your friends from a scary situation. It could be finding their lost toy, to finding their pet. On the other side of the paper, draw how your friend felt when you saved them from the scary situation! Then, share your remarkable event with a tablemate.

Maclear, K. (2018). Flo. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux.

[Christine Turner]

Meet Flo, a relaxed little panda. In a world with so much to do, she likes to sleep in, explore, and enjoy everything around her. But sometimes Flo takes too much time to get going, and the other pandas get impatient. One day they find themselves in trouble, and it's Flo's floppy ways that just might save the day. This funny picture book suggests that rather than racing to keep up with the crowd, we take our time to do nothing much at all--to go with Flo!


Notes
Kyo Maclear is the author of many critically acclaimed and popular books for children, including Julia, Child; The Wish Tree; The Specific Ocean; Virginia Wolf; and Spork. She lives in Toronto, Canada. Learn more about her at kyomaclearkids.com.Jay Fleck is the illustrator of Double Take written by Susan Hood, Black Belt Bunny written by Jacky Davis, and Everything You written by Elizabeth McPike. He lives in Shorewood, Illinois, with his family. Visit him online at jayfleck.com.

Subject: Individuality -- Fiction.
Pandas -- Fiction.

[Jordana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely pand-adorable! I love Jay Fleck's sweet illustrations, especially the little yellow ducks with Steve Zissou hats. "Get floppy!" :)

[Amber Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

FLO is the story of a little panda who likes to do her own thing even when other pandas are waiting for her. She takes her time and does things that she likes at her own pace, which is the opposite of what the rest of the family does. It appears as though every day and every hour is planned out for this group of pandas, but Flo's favorite is lazy Sunday strawberries. The rest of her group moves on without her to go through their daily "bits."Thankfully, Flo's floppy ways allowed her to be available for a rescue later in the story. That rescue allows the rest of her crew to find value in Flo's floppy ways.
The non-stop schedule of the panda's was so reminiscent of so many kid's schedules nowadays and it made me feel sad. That is such a reality and we don't give kids enough time to be "floppy" like Flo. While I think children will enjoy this book, I think it is more important for parents to see and read!

[Zoë Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last year I read my first two Kyo Maclear picture books (The Fog and Yak and Dove) and they were both whimsical and adorable reads, so when I saw the latest Kyo Maclear book, Flo, illustrated by Jay Fleck, available from the library, I was thrilled. Flo is the story of a little panda who does not fit in, while all the other pandas have a detailed schedule of their day, Flo gets distacted by the world around her; she likes to "get floppy". But then one day, the other pandas find themselves in trouble, will Flo be able to save them? 

I actually think that Flo would still work perfectly without the text because the illustrations by Fleck are so beautiful and descriptive, but the matching text is adorable as well. The message behind this book–to enjoy life, not to rush things and over-schedule–is perfect for both the child and the adult reading the book. Flo is a wonderful picture book and I hope this author-illustrator duo considers a companion story in the future.  

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maclear, Kyo Flo, illustrated by Jay Fleck PICTURE BOOK Farrar Straus Giroux (Macmillan), 2018. $18. 9780374305260

Flo is the littlest panda in her panda family. Her family is ambitious and likes to learn new things, so they are always on a tight schedule to go to all of their activities. Often times, Flo is late and distracted because she’s a bit of a daydreamer. One day Flo’s whole panda family gets stuck in the middle of the lake when their boat stops moving, but Flo uses her great imagination and saves them. Now, sometimes the family takes the time to be easy going like Flo and just hang out and daydream.

The panda bear illustrations in this book are super cute. Panda bears are adorable on their own, but cute little Flo is endearing. I love the message that sometimes we need to slow down and just enjoy life.

EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE. Reviewer, C. Peterson.
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Lauren- The Smile Lines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the @kidlitexchange for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Flo, by Kyo Maclear, is a great reminder that it is important to appreciate the little things in life! Flo, the main character, takes her time in everything she does and really looks around in her day. She even has a day of relaxation she calls, Lazy Sundays. Sounds amazing!

On the flip side this can be frustrating for the other person when you are trying to get moving! It is a great reminder to have patience and respect for different personalities.

We really enjoyed this story and have read it several times. Jay Fleck does an amazing job with the adorable illustrations.

I think I need to have a bit more Flo in my days! It is important to SLOW down. This would be great to read with your children after a day of running around knowing that your patience are running thin!!

[A Allen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The majority of this book is establishing that Flo likes to do her own thing, such as talking to clouds and introducing her hair bow to a butterfly. While the pandas have a very busy schedule to keep, Flo is mesmerized by the world around her and the other pandas wait for her A LOT. The pandas get impatient and sail off without Flo, but their boat stops working and they become stranded. Flo ends up saving the day while totally being herself and the next day the other pandas decide to give Flo's way a chance. I really enjoyed that Flo showed the other pandas how to slow down a bit but overall this story was a little odd to me. I mean, Flo saved them with a giant rubber duckie! I also wish that Flo had learned too. Perhaps she could've learned about the need to move with a purpose sometimes or to be more considerate when others are waiting on her!

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

***All questions answered by my 4 year old***

Do you like this book?
Yeah because I like the pandas because they're eating and blowing bubbles.

What's your favorite part of the book?
When Flo was playing a shovel like it was a trumpet. And I love when the pandas are just sleeping in the trees. It makes me feel happy and sleepy because I want to sleep in trees.

What do you think of the cover?
I like it because Flo is blowing bubbles and F-L-O spells flo!

Do you want me to read it again?
Next time.

This is a great book with really adorable and beautifully colored illustrations. It's all about having fun and relaxing, and not having to follow a schedule constantly. It teaches to be able to enjoy life and not take everything too seriously.

[Shan Salter · Rating 3 out of 5]

FLO By Kyo Maclear (illustrated by Jay Fleck)

@kidlitexchange #partner #bookstagram #kidlitexchange #kidlit

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

In our fast-paced lives, we all need to channel a bit of Flo. Who’s Flo? A carefree panda who takes her time, loves getting floppy, and never lets herself be rushed or stressed. Of course, all the more responsible pandas are far from impressed! Sound like anyone’s toddler?

This is a cute story for young picture book audiences— the illustrations of Flo and her friends are adorable and the storyline is slow moving and simple.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Kid Lit Exchange network for the review copy of this book - opinions are my own! ❤️ Flo = my 2.5 year old! Flo just wants to eat pancakes, smell the roses, and get floppy...exactly like my toddler. I’m not sure if I enjoyed this book because the illustrations are so stinkin' cute or because it reminds me of my toddler, but I give it two thumbs up! 👍🏻👍🏻 I also love (what I think is) a nod to the Rubber Duck sculpture! 📚🐤🐼 Comes out 1/16/18

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect read for the toddler or preschooler who is always taking too long to put on shoes, eat dinner, take a bath, get into the car, etc. It embraces the virtue of doing things at one's own speed, while understanding that it frustrates other people who might be missing out on what they want to do. The pictures are ever so charming. Recommended ages 2-4.

[Donna Mork · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flo wants to relax, all her family is on the go, go, go. They finally give up and go without Flo. Then they gets stranded and Flo has to rescue them. They decide to try things Flo's way for once, and it was kind of nice.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flo by Kyo Maclear is a picture book about a laid back panda and her very busy siblings. The panda family has a fully schedule, every day, every waking hour. Flo meanwhile, would prefer to dance, to sing, to experience nature, to make art.

http://pussreboots.com/blog/2018/comm...