Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue
Floo Flocky Doo to the Rescue
Written by David L. Gillespie
Published by Trustmark Enterprise, 2026
Reviewed by Eve Panzer, The Barefoot Librarian for Reader Views, June 2026
Even before the actual tale begins, the readers are introduced to an energetic little girl with a big personality. Her name is Florence Flockhart Doo-Faye, but with a name like that, a girl may prefer to be called Floo Flocky Doo or, as her friends call her, Floo. She hooks you in with her promise of a story about her “…pet squirrel getting loose in the grocery store!” And then draws you into her tale, announcing, “To the adventure we go….”
Floo loves a good mystery and an adventure. So, when her pet hummingbird, Peanut, wants to show her a clue, Floo is happy to explore. When Peanut leads her to a small baby squirrel who fell out of its nest, Floo knows she has to rescue it. With her catch phrase, “Hootie Hoo, Hootie Hoo”, she knows what to do – rescue the tiny squirrel. And the squirrel, that Floo names Lucky Lou, grew and grew.
One day, Floo’s mother needs to go to the grocery store, and Floo decides it would be a good adventure for her and Peanut. And Lucky Lou ends up tagging along in the hood of Floo’s jacket. All is well as Floo shops for something Lucky Loo can chew on, until Floo lets out a big sneeze. Started, Lucky Lou is catapulted out of Floo’s hood and lands in “…Miss Nellie’s spectacular hair!” A bit of mayhem ensues. Perhaps Floo should have left Lucky Lou at home.
The book has a clever and unique rhyming scheme. There is a consistent cadence and rhythm to the story, making it flow smoothly, perfect for reading aloud. Floo’s signature saying, “Hootie hoo, hootie hoo,” is sprinkled throughout the story, and children will delight in repeating it as the story progresses. In addition, the illustrations are simple yet add important details that enrich the story. The drawings are cartoon-like and appealing, engaging children. The pictures appear to be done in watercolor, a medium many children feel familiar with and will appreciate.
To top it off, there is an adorable and clever sing-along video available that uses pictures from the book and some animation. The song is extremely catchy, using Floo’s signature phrase “Hootie hoo, hootie hoo,” and children will not be able to resist singing along. The video summarizes the whole story, so it should be watched after reading the book to avoid spoilers.
When you open Floo Flocky Doo to Rescue, be prepared for a humorous romp with a spunky little girl, a clever hummingbird, and a mischievous baby squirrel. You will smile, you will chuckle, and you will laugh your way through this story. Without being preachy, children will learn important SEL values from Floo, the main character with a positive, can-do attitude. She illustrates resourcefulness, confidence, compassion, and care. But she also makes mistakes, as all humans do.
The book, along with the video, makes for a perfect read-aloud. Sometimes kids just need a book that’s plain fun and full of joy, and Floo Flocky Doo to Rescue fits the bill. The author’s notes inform readers that this book is based on real events from his own family, adding another layer to the story. In addition, a teaser at the end of the book suggests there will be more adventures with Floo. Recommended.
