Gander's Pond: A Panda and Gander Story (Read Me) - Hardcover

Joyce Dunbar is the author of more than 30 books for children. These include the award-winning This is the Star and Mouse and Mole, now a popular TV series. Helen Craig has illustrated many titles including the Angelina Ballerina series (now on TV) and This is the Bear books.

PreSchool-Grade 2-In the first story, Panda consumes a pear, banana, tangerine, an apple, and grapes while Gander meticulously prepares to eat his pomegranate seeds. Panda then asks for some of the seeds, but his friend knows just how to protect his share. In the second book, Gander enlists Panda to help gather rainwater in buckets on a hot day. Panda's New Toy is a ball attached to a cup with a string, and he does not want to share it with Gander. In the last title, Panda is hurt when Gander sends a letter to a secret friend until Panda discovers that he, in fact, is the secret friend. The humor in the texts continues in Craig's colorful, expressive drawings, which help illuminate the childlike friendship between these animals. Simple, bold lines and white backdrops focus attention on the action. While billed as early readers, these stories are too slight for youngsters old enough to handle the vocabulary. However, the narratives flow well and have a good format for reading aloud. Thus, these charming stories will work best as read-alouds with younger children.
Susan Marie Pitard, Weezie Library for Children, Nantucket Atheneum, MA
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