An engagingly humorous animal tale with appealing illustrations and a wholesome message.
A giant panda and a red panda discover their differences and similarities in this picture book.
The pagoda-roofed Panda Palace is divided into two strictly separate sections, one for red pandas and the other for giant pandas. Exploring one day, red panda Ping sees giant panda Pang taking a nap in a secluded area. To their mutual surprise, each proudly declares: “I’m a panda!” But that can’t be. Obviously, says Pang, pandas are large, black and white, have round ears and small round tails, and enjoy sleeping. Ping maintains that pandas are small, red and black, have pointy ears and long fluffy tails, and enjoy climbing trees. But then both pandas realize they just love eating bamboo, overshadowing any differences. Now Ping and Pang meet every day to share a meal. Begin, an experienced writer and illustrator, tells an amusing story with thoroughly adorable characters. She also gently offers an inclusivity lesson that can be extended through the supplied “Conversation Starters for Parents & Educators.” Her delightful images blend realism—well-rendered textures, details, and shading—with appropriate cuteness. Whimsical compositions, as when Pang shows off his tail, add to the fun.
An engagingly humorous animal tale with appealing illustrations and a wholesome message.Pub Date: July 6, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-954332-08-9
Page Count: 36
Publisher: Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing
Review Posted Online: April 20, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A tender tale of friendship, timed for Thanksgiving.
In a new companion to Bear Snores On and Bear Wants More (2002, 2003), a lovable bevy of friends come together again for feast and fun.
Bear is bored and lonely and decides that a dinner party is the perfect way to gather all his friends for some sharing and fun, but there is no food to be found in his cave. One by one his friends stop by, each bringing something delicious with open-hearted enthusiasm. Mouse, Hare, Badger, Gopher, Mole and feathered friends Owl, Raven and Wren pool their goodies and create a glorious feast. Bear is grateful and warmed by their generosity and, as in previous works, the title refrain is repeated at every offering. But he is also embarrassed at having nothing to contribute. His friends reassure him that he has stories to share that will make the feast special. The lilting verse is neither trite nor singsong, and movement and excitement are conveyed as the animals flap, flitter, hurry and tromp into Bear’s home. Rich autumn hues abound throughout, from the opening double-page spread to the glowing earth-toned cave strewn with twigs and colorful leaves. Deep friendship is supremely evident in facial expressions and body language and their joy at being together. Who would not love this cuddly, soft, furry creature?
A tender tale of friendship, timed for Thanksgiving. (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: Sept. 4, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4169-5856-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: Aug. 7, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2012
A visually striking, engaging picture book that sends the message that everyone counts.
A playful counting book also acts as a celebration of family and human diversity.
Shannon’s text is delivered in spare, rhythmic, lilting verse that begins with one and counts up to 10 as it presents different groupings of things and people in individual families, always emphasizing the unitary nature of each combination. “One is six. One line of laundry. One butterfly’s legs. One family.” Gomez’s richly colored pictures clarify and expand on all that the text lists: For “six,” a picture showing six members of a multigenerational family of color includes a line of laundry with six items hanging from it outside of their windows, as well as the painting of a six-legged butterfly that a child in the family is creating. While text never directs the art to depict diverse individuals and family constellations, Gomez does just this in her illustrations. Interracial families are included, as are depictions of men with their arms around each other, and a Sikh man wearing a turban. This inclusive spirit supports the text’s culminating assertion that “One is one and everyone. One earth. One world. One family.”
A visually striking, engaging picture book that sends the message that everyone counts. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: May 26, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-374-30003-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Frances Foster/Farrar, Straus & Giroux
Review Posted Online: Feb. 2, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2015
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