KOLO THE PANDA

by Liza Jones ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 24, 1969

Rough, dramatic pencil drawings, printed not inappropriately on curry and tangerine pages, and a story that is also dramatic give this zoo-break more appeal, perhaps, than it merits: the story is not cohesive and the drawings are not always convincing in detail. It begins and ends with Kolo the panda in his Tibetan temple and in the tone of a fable; then, captured and put behind bars, he inspires Elias the elderly elephant to attempt escape by stealing the key from a somnolent watchman--all this also in good fun. But the key refuses to turn and Elias, going wild, wrecks his cage and all the others and heads for his ancient home to die--which he does just after blessing Kolo and his friend Zanzibar the zebra. The pathos is spread with a spatula and the crypto-naturalism doesn't accord with the bordering fancy. Still, children will care and may even cry.

Pub Date: Feb. 24, 1969

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Norton

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1969

Categories: CHILDREN'S