Xander's panda party by Linda Sue Park

cover image

Ill. by Matt Phelan. UQP, 2013. ISBN 9780702249983.
(Age: 4+) Warmly recommended. Picture book, Animals, Pandas, Zoos.
When Xander decides to hold a party, he first issues invitations to all the bears in the zoo, but the koala declines, telling Xander that he is not a bear, but a marsupial. Xander rethinks his invitations and invites all animals, but the rhino has a problem with this and wants to invite birds, one of which is often on his horn. So he invites all animals and birds, but this presents a problem for the crocodile. Each time Xander thinks he has the problem solved, another issue arises for him to solve.
The warmly inviting illustrations will encourage readers to find the creatures being spoken of as they read, while the humour behind the illustrations will cause merriment. A pleasing outcome draws the story to a neat conclusion, and the whole will be well used to teach readers about the different creatures that inhabit the world.
Fran Knight

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