Oconomowoc woman writes a children's book based on the flamingos in Port Washington
Oconomowoc resident Lauren Ackerman has "everything flamingo," including slippers, clothing and paintings. It is a safe bet that when she talks to friends and family, she may hint of flamingo-themed presents for the holidays.
When five flamingos made an appearance on Sept. 22 at South Beach in Port Washington ― the first time flamingos ever came to Wisconsin ― it inspired her lifelong dream to become a children's book author.
Ackerman authored and self-published "Flingo Flies to Wisconsin," a book geared toward children ages 2 through 6. It became Amazon's No. 1 new release soon after it was available on Nov. 11.
She worked with Kindle Direct Publishing, which then put the book on Amazon. She used Canva, an online graphic design tool, for the book's illustrations.
She said "Flingo" could be a fun book for grandparents and parents to read to children and to love flamingos as Ackerman does.
"Flamingos are fun, so colorful and graceful," she said. "And they can stand on one foot for hours and hours."
"I always wanted to write a children's book, and I thought, why am I not doing this?" the 63-year-old asked herself. "It is timely, and a cool thing happened."
Author Lauren Ackerman describes her book as a 'fun story' and 'inspirational'
Ackerman used the same premise for "Flingo Flies to Wisconsin" as what actually happened in Port Washington. She wrote that due to a storm, a family of flamingos were forced to fly to Wisconsin.
She described it as a storm rather than a USA Today report which said the flamingos were displaced because of Hurricane Idalia. According to the USA Today story, they were spotted in Alabama, South and North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and Texas.
In her book, Ackerman said Flingo and his family flew to Wisconsin. While Flingo was scared, his family assured him everything would be OK. But as they located to Wisconsin, Ackerman said Flingo found Wisconsin just as "cool as a spot" and there were a lot of similarities between Florida and Wisconsin. In the book's description on Amazon, Ackerman said there was one difference that people can read to find the answer.
"The (theme of the) book is that you can have fun wherever you are, and change is not a bad thing," she said. She said people living in Florida who are "snowbirds" have enjoyed the book.
"I was doing this for fun, and people said, 'Hey, this is really good.' I love it that people read it, smile and laugh," Ackerman said. She said she hopes that kids find the same joy in reading or listening to the book.
"It can inspire their imagination," she said. "It is good for kids to be interested in reading and reading more."
Ackerman said she would love to write more children's books. But will there be a sequel to "Flingo Flies to Wisconsin"?
"Maybe," was Ackerman's reply.
Where can people buy a 'Flingo Flies to Wisconsin' book?
"Flingo Flies to Wisconsin" books are sold on Amazon. They are also being sold at Books & Company bookstore in Oconomowoc at 1039 Summit Ave., www.booksco.com.
Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on X at @kozlowicz_cathy.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Oconomowoc author writes children's book, 'Flingo Flies to Wisconsin'
