Little Panda [Hardcover]

Renata Liwska (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

In the misty mountains a little panda bear climbs tall trees, munches sweet bamboo, and curls up in his favorite perch to sleep. It is just right—until Mother Panda goes looking for a snack and Little Panda’s nap is disturbed by something unexpected. What was it that his mother told him he should do? This is the perfect story to reassure little ones that parents always return.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Grandfather Panda has a treat for his little grandson: a once upon a time story about another little panda and the tiger that flew. That's silly, says the grandson, but, as promised, the fictional tiger, who had a panda dinner on his mind, really does fly, thanks to some quick panda thinking and the laws of physics. In her authorial debut, Liwska (illustrator of Nikolai, the Only Bear) delivers a prime example of unadulterated storytelling—her tale unspools not with any Big Life Lesson in mind, but just for the old-fashioned pleasure of one generation connecting to another. In every word, readers can hear the wise, wry voice of a narrator who knows how to hold a child's attention. The illustrations, a combination of pencil and soft digital color, evoke the simplicity of traditional Chinese art and underscore the intimacy of the book's small format. Ages 3–6. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1—Grandfather Panda informs his grandson, "I'm going to tell you a story of a little panda and the tiger that flew." Though the youngster thinks the idea is laughable, Grandfather introduces Bao Bao, a panda who lived with his mother and spent his time climbing trees, playing chase, and falling down. However, "Playing was not just for fun. It was also the way Lin Lin taught Bao Bao important panda lessons." While his mother traveled off to search for food (the illustration amusingly shows Lin Lin riding through a river setting in a passenger boat poled by a human), Bao Bao often napped in his favorite tree. One day, a hungry tiger climbed up Bao Bao's branch, and the panda escaped by falling down, causing the branch to snap up and send the predator flying. He doesn't understand why his returning mother saw an airborne tiger: "That's silly. Tigers can't fly!" After Grandfather finishes, his grandson admits that maybe the story could be true. There are many playful elements to this tale of family storytelling, and Liwska's mélange of the fanciful and the real is well crafted in the smooth telling and artwork. Deftly drawn and softly colored, the animals are both comic and endearing. Grandfather, who wears a small pointed cap, is the only creature with human trappings. An inviting choice for read-aloud sharing.—Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children; None edition (October 27, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618966277
• ISBN-13: 978-0618966271
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #986,544 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Most of Renata Liwska's illustrations are drawn in her sketchbook which she carries with her always. This allows her to draw wherever and whenever inspiration strikes. Her artwork is a reflection of her travels - from childhood playground adventures to her current adventures living in Calgary, Canada, with her illustrator husband, Mike Kerr. Her childhood memories are of growing up in Warsaw, Poland. Renata is the illustrator of the New York Times Bestselling and critically acclaimed picture book THE QUIET BOOK written by Deborah Underwood. She has also illustrated a sequel THE LOUD BOOK. Additionally she has illustrated NIKOLAI THE ONLY BEAR written by Barbara Joosse and SKYLAR written by Mary Cuffe-Perez. She has written and illustrated RED WAGON published in 2011 by Philomel Books and LITTLE PANDA published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful little panda tale with gorgeous illustrations, February 6, 2009

By 

Z Hayes (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Little Panda (Hardcover)

"Little Panda" is a sweet story of high adventure - Grandfather Panda tells the story of a Little Panda and a tiger that flew. When grandson panda questions the veracity of this tale, grandpa proceeds to narrate the tale - of a little panda named Bao Bao and his mother Lin Lin. When Lin Lin goes off in search of bamboo shoots one day, little Bao Bao sleeps in a tree, but soon finds himself facing down a voracious tiger...Bao Bao fights for his life, and in an interesting twist, sends the tiger 'flying'!

The ending will make one chuckle [hint: observe grandfather Panda's behind:)]. The watercolor illustrations are muted yet beautiful. A wonderful picture book!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars panda bear, January 7, 2010

By 

Joan Mcdonald "avid reader" (St. Augustine, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Little Panda (Hardcover)

I purchased Little Panda as a birthday gift for my 4 yr. old grandson. My niece, who works for the publisher, worked with the author on the design of the book and won an award for it. After seeing the book, I must admit, she did a great job. It's a sweet story and well illustrated.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cutest Panda Book Ever, June 17, 2010

By 

Redjamie - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Little Panda (Hardcover)

This is the cutest Panda book with a sweet twist at the end. I bought it sight unseen because the sample pictures looked so cute. The entire book is wonderfully illustrated and the story will keep your little ones engaged.