Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
When readers first meet round, squat Little Panda, the character all but rushes the book's fourth wall, getting "way too close." (Digitally enhanced colored pencil images from Jennings zoom in for a close-up of an eager, black-ringed eye.) Panda stands back after the narrator requests space, but the arrival of a tiny puppy reignites the bear's enthusiasm. The narrator's gentle attempts to curb "Whoa Panda!" moments by setting boundaries ("I don't think Puppy wants to be squeezed") at first overwhelm the excitable protagonist. Yet with encouragement and praise, Panda seems to grasp that a smile serves as a mighty fine icebreaker, and that "Friends will let you know it's okay to be touched." Through Panda's highly relatable missteps, this reassuring book offers validation while demonstrating that friendship isn't about perfection--sometimes it's just about asking whether someone might prefer a hug or a high five. Ages 3--7. (Aug.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1--Panda is loving, cute, and eager to make new friends but sometimes gets a little too close, a little too fast. The second-person narration balances an appreciation for Panda's intentions with gentle reminders that help this extrovert recognize and respect such boundaries as personal space. Even when Panda makes a mistake and feels ashamed, the narrator includes encouragement to try again. Jennings writes in language that is clear and instructive for children who are learning about setting personal boundaries and for the adults in their lives who are helping them learn this important skill. The illustrations, created with color pencil and pastel-toned backgrounds, parallel the lightness in the narrator's tone, which creates a safe and inviting space to learn with sweet Panda. The thoughtful tone and illustrations will easily engage readers on how to set and respect personal boundaries through a kind and playful protagonist. VERDICT A book that children will clamor for, this is ideal for etiquette shelves, SEL collections, or any lesson to help teach burgeoning social skills.--Sarah Pousty
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
What a thrill it is to see you! Panda is excited to be in the company of friends…perhaps a bit too excited. When the unnamed narrator waves, the cub bounds over and gets uncomfortably close; a zoomed-in view of Panda's eye fills one spread, while the rest of the exuberant bear's face fills another. Asked to give the narrator some space, Panda backs off. But when a new friend--a brown dog--appears, Panda quickly forgets the lesson and bear-hugs the nervous-looking pooch. The narrator once more intervenes and offers some guidance. Panda complies and then cheerfully licks the narrator's face. The narrator gently chastises Panda, who ambles off, saddened, until the narrator coaxes Panda back to have fun in a way that makes everyone comfortable. Using minimal text and peppy colored pencil and digital art set against bright, uncluttered backgrounds, Jennings offers an amusing and creative take on bodily autonomy. Many caregivers and children will recognize these interactions, particularly when the narrator repeats the same point multiple times over the course of the book. It's clear that Panda is still actively learning this lesson; indeed, the cub may even need a few reminders down the line. Compared with similar titles where the protagonist figures everything out by book's end, this one takes a refreshingly realistic approach. A child-friendly guide to respecting personal space.(Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
