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The Children’s Book Review
The Panda-emic Story
Written by Alexandra Allred
Illustrated by Kerri Beckman
Age Range: 5 and up
Paperback: 28 pages
Publisher: APA Books (May 15, 2020)
What to expect: Fable, Endangered Species, Illness
Written by the mother-daughter team Alexandra Allred and illustrated by Kerri Beckman during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Panda-emic Story shares how a group of animals band together to take care of one another.
Everyone loves to see the pandas at the zoo but what happens when pandas get sick? A new panda has joined the panda habitat—and an unknown illness begins to spread through the zoo. The zookeepers, not wanting to become ill, leave the animals to fend for themselves. Many are quick to place blame on the new Panda for the unknown illness. A smart and kind gull, along with some other birds, stay away from the spread but safely deliver food and hay to the other animals—including the silly goose that did not isolate and eventually became ill.
The author has succeeded in conveying a moral by having the majority of the animals join together to help one another. The text and artwork represent animals that live in the Beijing Zoo, many of whom are on the list of endangered animals, offering another dimension to the underlying message of the story that we can stop a pandemic and loss if we choose to work together. Line drawings with small bursts of color add interest to the pages. And a little mouse shows up fourteen times throughout the story, which provides a little extra entertainment.
This short story is reflective of the many caregivers who have stepped up to help so many. If a hopeful fable that will encourage positive conversation is on your wish list, you may enjoy sharing The Panda-emic Story with readers ages five and up. Plus, who can resist the message to stay safe when it comes in the form of a mask-wearing Panda?
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About the Author
Alexandra Allred, an adj professor of human movement and health, is the author of numerous books, both fiction and non-fiction, and currently resides in Texas with her husband and two neurotic dogs.
About the Illustrator
Kerri Allred Beckman, an anthropology major, and animal enthusiast is a freelance illustrator who lives in Texas with her husband, daughter “mouse” and Labrador.
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This is a sponsored*, non-biased review of “The Panda-emic.” Learn more about getting a book review …
