THE PANDA-EMIC STORY

When a new panda’s illness spreads, some zoo animals are selfish and others are helpful in this debut picture book.

The Beijing Zoo’s new panda isn’t playful because he doesn’t feel well. Soon, other animals also fall sick, worrying everyone. One, a giraffe, blames the panda for spreading the illness. Some birds who have been unaffected deliver food to the sick while others deny the problem since they can fly above the epidemic. A wise old rhinoceros says that everyone needs to maintain social distancing for the good of all, but some just laugh, like the vultures. Eventually, most animals—but not the one who listened to the vultures—start to recover. In the end, the illness’s origin isn’t important because the animals “all came together to help one another.” In her book, Allred provides a beautifully realized Covid-19 fable, with perfectly appropriate correspondences from the animal to the human world. The story underlines that getting through the illness requires kindness, sharing, “and maybe some social distancing.” Debut illustrator Beckman provides lively images in black and white with touches of color that nicely depict the animals’ personalities.

A useful, compassionate tale about Covid-19 that makes the issues immediately understandable for children.