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The Barnes & Noble Review
Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle -- the team who won us over with Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? -- now pay homage to endangered animals in this dynamically delicate picture book.
Following the format of their legendary Brown Bear, the two showcase a bevy of fauna through Martin's flowing text and Carle's magnificent cut-paper and watercolor illustrations. Lumbering Panda Bear sees "a bald eagle soaring by me," Bald Eagle spots "a water buffalo charging by," and big-horned Water Buffalo spies a "spider monkey swinging by," while more endangered creatures splash and sneak along. At the end, the creators don't fail to bring the text back to readers themselves, when a moon-and-stars Dreaming Child imagines the book's animals together "all wild and free -- that's what I see!"
Carle's energizing artwork, combined with Martin's environmentally conscious message, make this a vitalizing must-have for your bookshelves and a superb follow-up to Carle's previous animal-themed book, "Slowly, Slowly, Slowly," Said the Sloth. Sparking kids to learn more about endangered animals -- particularly with the Note on Endangered Species in the front -- the creators shine a light on an important topic with earnestness and timely panache.
Matt Warner
For years, youngsters have been learning words and the love of nature from Eric Carle's sweet Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? Now this adorable story about animals "all wild and free" appears for the first time as a board book. A sweet gift for the new kid on the block.
Publishers Weekly
Now in board book, Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr, illus. by Eric Carle, offers a lineup of endangered species that includes a water buffalo, spider monkey, macaroni penguin and whooping crane, among others. PW's starred review of the original edition called this "another standout from the creators of a line of perennial favorites." Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 1-While some adults may sigh at the similarity of this title to Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (1983) and Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? (1995, both Holt), children will be thrilled. A water buffalo, a green sea turtle, a black panther, and other animals answer that familiar call, "What do you see?" Readers view all these creatures and more, a treat considering that the 10 animals featured are all endangered species and therefore rare sights. The book closes wistfully with a dreaming child who sees the animals all "wild and free." Names like "macaroni penguin" contribute to some awkwardness in the text's rhythm, but the bright collage images and lilting language bring the animals to life on the page-soaring, swinging, or even strutting. Opening with a helpful note on the importance of animal protection, this title will make a perfect segue into conversations about endangered species.-Julie Roach, Malden Public Library, MA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
From the Publisher
Another standout from the creators of a line of perennial favorites.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“The bright collage images and lilting language bring the animals to life on the page” —School Library Journal
“Carle's use of negative space and of sculptural line conveys not only the essence of each animal but also the energy of its movement. A fine read-aloud with a subtle, yet clear, message.” —Booklist
