In Search of the Perfect Singing Flamingo

FIRST OF ALL, MY THANKS TO THE CANADIAN Association for Williams Syndrome, who put me in touch with several families as I was researching this book. I would like to thank the following families for their generosity in answering my questions and sharing their experiences: Orvella Small and Sheena Small; Marisa Melino; Christena Cote and Renee Cote; Tom, Jan and Thea Wolfe; Jemma Wolfe; Susan Noseworthy; and Elizabeth. Special thanks to Maria Mallozzi – not only did you provide extensive research guidance, but you have also become a treasured friend. My gratitude to the following people for their assistance with other research questions: Ron MacKay, Tina Pickett, Carolyn Williamson and John Dimitri Gibson. Also to Daryl Dippel, who patiently explained the inner workings of arcade games and animatronics. My love and thanks to my sister, Daphne, who shared her insights from thirty years working in social services, as well as her passion for reading. Thank you to the Ontario Arts Council, who supported the development of this book through the Writers’ Reserve program. Thank you to Noelle Allen and the team at Wolsak & Wynn for taking the book on and bringing it to print. Huge thanks to editor Paul Vermeersch, who not only championed the book, but also came up with the title. Much gratitude to Ashley Hisson for her skilful copy-editing. Thanks also to Stephanie Sinclair and the team at Transatlantic for being so welcoming and for finding the book such a splendid home. I’m indebted to all my friends and fellow writers who supplied endless encouragement. Especially Amy Stuart, Catherine Livingstone, Lisa Harrison, Eileen MacArthur, Elizabeth Zahorchak, Jamella Hagen, Dina Del Bucchia, Kellee Ngan, Michael Wheeler, Ria Voros, Chioke I’Anson, Dan Evans and Kelly Jones. Above all, thanks to my family for their love and support. Particularly, my parents, Paul and Susan Tacon, and my in-laws, Julio and Elizabeth López. From the practical help with childcare to always believing that writing is a worthy use of time, I appreciate you more than you know. A special mention to my Aunt Karen. Thanks also to my talented niece, Georgina Alonso, who sat through hours of “The Shape Song” with a two-year-old, so that I could write a new draft of the novel. This book has been a labour of love for almost a decade. While I was writing about parenthood, my husband and I went through the roller coaster of infertility, miscarriage and, finally, the births of our sons, Javier and Rafael. Julio, I couldn’t have asked for a more loving and compassionate partner. You make me laugh every day and this book wouldn’t be here without you.