Praise for Please, Mr. Panda:"Smart design decisions by Antony... distinguish his visual storytelling. The warm gray backdrop and parade of black and white animals (a skunk, an ostrich, an orca) make the candy-colored doughnuts look all the more tantalizing. Novel perspectives ... provide freshness, too." — Publishers Weekly"Tiny young listeners may be so pleased — and relieved — to see the dazzling treats given away that they won't notice how deftly they've been given a manners lesson. Households with toddlers may find a new family catchphrase as Mr. Panda demonstrates one approach to eliciting those elusive 'magic words.' Simple yet funny enough for multiple readings." — Kirkus Reviews"Though this is a book with a clear message, the humor and attractive design give it a bit of an edge and keep it out of the realm of the heavy-handed, 'Let's learn a lesson' titles. A fun storytime selection and a solid option for parents or teachers looking for a creative way to emphasize the importance of saying, 'Please' and 'Thank you.'" — School Library Journal
11/01/2016
PreS-K—The protagonist of Please, Mr. Panda is back with another manners lesson—this time on the value of patience. Large, block-shaped Mr. Panda, attired in a small apron covered with images of doughnuts and a toque that looks amusingly tiny on his large head, looks out at readers with a deadpan expression. He holds a bowl and wooden spoon. "What are you making, Mr. Panda?" asks an alpaca as the story begins. "Wait and see. It's a surprise," he responds. But Alpaca refuses to wait. Penguin, though, says, "I'll wait, Mr. Panda." An aardvark, a warren of rabbits, and a bird each in turn want to know what Mr. Panda is making, and his reply remains the same. They must wait. One by one, they, too, leave. Finally, a page turn depicts the penguin, who has previously been accorded a small space at the bottom or in the corner of a page, full size, beak wide open as he speaks the words written in large font on the opposite page: "I'll wait, Mr. Panda!" Even the background color changes from dull blue gray to stark white for this loud announcement. Two pages later, with Penguin still patiently waiting, Mr. Panda carries in a sprinkle-covered doughnut so big that it covers the page. Penguin declares it "worth the wait," and readers will, too. VERDICT This lighthearted treatment of the rewards of patience is perfect for group sharing and may help youngsters remember to exercise a little more of it when next the need arises.—Marianne Saccardi, Children's Literature Consultant, Cambridge, MA
2016-07-20
A penguin is rewarded for patience.Mr. Panda, large and with amusing gravitas, sports a tiny chef’s hat and a pink-frilled, doughnut-patterned apron in this tale of delayed gratification. Mr. Panda is wielding a wooden spoon and mixing bowl, into which he mysteriously pours various ingredients (flour, milk, sugar). An assortment of curious animals, mostly black and white—an alpaca, an anteater, a herd of rabbits, and possibly an egret—pop in to ask what he’s making. “Wait and see,” is Mr. Panda’s repeated answer. All but a steadfast penguin decide that, as the anteater says, “waiting is too hard,” and are on their way. The penguin, who appears first opposite the title page, continues to wait, assuring the large chef, “I’ll wait, Mr. Panda.” When the gigantic surprise is produced at last, it is decorated with chocolate frosting and sprinkles. This would be purely purposive if not for the lively good humor at play in Antony’s eager, silly creatures, who fly, hop, and peek from the sidelines and on the endpapers. Though the reward is rarely as spectacular as this, sometimes hope and anticipation are enough to strengthen the waiting muscle. Certainly young readers will find Mr. Panda funny, will be tickled at the hyperbole, and may find the idea of a huge doughnut delectable to contemplate while waiting for their own surprises. (Picture book. 2-5)
