Oh, Panda by Cindy Derby

Oh, Panda by Cindy Derby. Alfred A. Knopf, 2023. 9780593564721






Rating:  1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 3



Format : Hardcover picture book



What did you like about the book? An adorable panda frolics across a snowy landscape while an unseen narrator tries to plan a fun day.  The narrator wants to  build an ice castle, but Panda gets distracted by a bright red butterfly, which promptly flies away over an icy hill.  Panda misses this new friend, and tries several ways to climb the slippery slope to find it, to no avail.  The narrator tries to get Panda to go back to building the castle, but Panda is not interested. The narrator produces a pair of pine cones which Panda straps on like snowshoes, which enable the cuddly creature to build an ice block staircase up the side of the hill.  Panda’s stubbornness pays off upon reaching the hill’s peak, as a glorious, colorful landscape full of butterflies is revealed on the other side. 



This simple lesson in persistence stands out because of its gentle tone of voice and gorgeous watercolor illustrations in wintry shades.  Young readers will find the determined Panda irresistible.  They will empathize as it scowls and pouts at the narrator’s kindly suggestions; giggle when it repeatedly tumbles down the hill; and cheer when it summits the hill.   Its cute black and white protagonist and pastel tones bring to mind Jon Muth’s Stillwater books, but the message here is simpler and much less subtle.



Anything you did not like about the book?  No



To whom would you recommend this book? Children in preK through first grade will enjoy it; grownups looking for a simple read aloud about persistence should find it appropriate.  With just one or two sentences per page, Oh, Panda would be a suitable and fresh choice for inferencing lessons.     



Who should buy this book? Preschools, public and elementary school libraries



Where would you shelve it?  Picture books



Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles?  No



Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City:  Leigh Russell King, Lincoln Street School, Northborough, Massachusetts.



Date of review: October 19, 2023