It’s been five years since the last Hotel Flamingo, and now the lovable team are back in the fifth book in the series, Frosty Fiesta!

This book feels like a long time coming, and mainly because the central storyline was supposed to be in book four. Production schedules got a little stretched, meaning the wintry book (did you know that the original four in the series were based around the seasons?) would have come out in Easter time, which wasn’t ideal, so I scrapped that manuscript and wrote a different book: Fabulous Feast.

I always wanted to write more about the tortoise guest, Mrs Turpington, and this is her story. I wanted to discuss her thoughts about getting older, and particularly those concerning going into hibernation. It must be wonderful getting to snuggle down warm and sleep for so long, but there must also be some trepidation about what you might find when you wake up.

This is a story about the cold and dark winter nights, how the snow changes the world, and how the animals deal with hunkering down in anticipation of Spring. Of course, in Hotel Flamingo, they deal with it by throwing a party.

I should add, it’s also a story about making the most of the snow. I love snow more than anything, and I also love snowboarding and skiing (though I can do neither!)

WHEN YOU’RE A TORTOISE

Obviously, I had to write a new song for the book, so here it is… As sung be me, or rather Mrs Turpington. If you want to join in, here are the lyrics 🙂

When you’re a tortoise and getting old,

Make sure you eat well and stay warm, and never catch a cold,

And if it’s winter you need some sun,

Make sure you take care and bed down, for hibernation.

Because the years go by, the well runs dry, your skin grows tough and sore,

Your friends depart, it breaks your heart, they’re gone forever more.

If you’re a tortoise and feeling sad,

Find nice memories, remember, and you won’t feel so bad,

And if you’re lonely, I’m sure you know,

There’s a place to be, a bed for you at Hotel Flamingo!