Oh, Panda

Starred review from July 10, 2023
“Good morning, Panda. What are we going to do today?” asks this picture book’s slightly overbearing narrator before suggesting their own idea: “Should we build an ice castle? With tiny circle windows to look out over all the land?” But Panda, who’s surrounded by a landscape of radiant ice and velvety snow rendered in purple-hued watercolor and gouache, has a plan that’s not on that agenda. Tantalized by a fluttering pink and gold butterfly that heads up a tall, slippery mountain, the little bear is determined to assert its free will and follow the insect to the top. “Oh, Panda,” the exasperated-sounding narrator sighs after the fluffy critter’s mountain-scaling efforts end in setbacks. Seeing how forlorn Panda has become, the voice finally stops deflecting the bear and offers genuine help in the form of pinecone snowshoes, which, along with Panda’s tenacity and ingenuity, result in a successful ascension, a visually revelatory vista, and an appreciative and awestruck reprisal: “Oh, Panda.” Tackling persistence and much more, this wryly empathic story from Derby (Blurp’s Book of Manners) thoughtfully models an instance of learning to respect autonomy and offer meaningful support. Ages 2–5. Agent: Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary.

July 15, 2023
A great big mountain proves no match for one stubborn little panda. An intrusive narrator asks Panda about the day's plans, but our hero is besotted with a magnificent magenta butterfly. Panda follows the flitting insect steadily until it flies up the sides of a steep mountain. While the narrator tries to guide Panda back to other activities, the determined bear attempts the climb. After an initial failure ("you're still a bit too small"), Panda tries again, using sap and branches to get a hold. Nothing works. Only when the narrator accedes to the situation and offers pine-cone snowshoes does Panda reach the summit, and both animal and readers are treated to a breathtaking sight. Children should have no difficulty identifying with the single-minded hero, who gives off some serious Winnie-the-Pooh vibes, while the sometimes-patronizing narrator offers vague parental discouragements. Of course, the real star of the show is the sumptuous watercolor art, infused with deep violets and evocative peaches. In that final image of ice, sunset skies, and flittering butterflies, the book's earlier subdued colors contrast effectively. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Melding lovely art with toddlerlike determination, this amalgamation of ice castles and vibrant butterflies soars. (Picture book. 3-6)

COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 1, 2023

PreS-K-Panda never utters a word in Derby's sweet story; the text is the voice of an unseen narrator who opens the tale by asking the cub, "What are we going to do today? Should we build an ice castle?" Just then a bright red-and-gold butterfly, which is about the only spot of color in the black-and-white snow-covered landscape, catches Panda's attention. The youngster becomes fascinated by it and is determined to follow the beautiful insect that has soared over a snow-covered mountain. Panda's stubborn determination to go after the butterfly results in several setbacks as the steep and icy slope proves to be too slippery to scale. Panda tries using sticky sap and small branches to give him some purchase in making the climb, but to no avail. When it's very clear the young animal has his mind set on finding the butterfly, the narrator helps with some useful items. Ice blue, black, and white watercolors with gouache create a striking snowy landscape with some surprise pops of color at sunrise and sunset. The narrator vocalizes the words "Oh, Panda" with varying inflections, conveying different meanings such as frustration, pity, disappointment, and awe. The stand-in for a child is direct and loving; by leaving the narrator invisible, but ever-present, the story is surprisingly empowering without being scary. VERDICT Reminiscent of a human toddler struggling against the odds, the headstrong cub uses his energy and strong will to accomplish what he set out to do in this charming, effective picture book adventure.-Maryann H. Owen

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2023
Preschool-Kindergarten As the sun peeks over distant mountains, an unseen narrator addresses a plump little cub, "Good morning, Panda. What are we going to do today?" The narrator then suggests building an ice castle, only Panda is distracted by a bright red butterfly fluttering over the icy-lavender expanse of snow. After a brief chase, the butterfly lands on Panda's outstretched paw, a moment wordlessly captured in a full-page illustration aglow with Panda's wonder at the creature's vibrant, petal-delicate wings. The spell is broken when the butterfly resumes its flight up a steep-sloped mountain, leaving Panda scrambling to follow. Using simple sentences, the narrator offers comfort and reassurance after each of Panda's failed attempts ("Oh, Panda"), until finally offering the bear some concrete help. Derby, whose illustrations for Deborah Underwood's Outside In (2020) received a Caldecott Honor, crafts a relatable tale of ingenuity and perseverance. Her soft-edged, wobbly-lined artwork, rendered in watercolors and gouache, gives the story a warmth despite the snowy landscape, and kids will enjoy seeing the little protagonist come out on top (of the world).

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