May 15, 2017
In a humorous take on first-day snafus, Amanda Panda expects to excel in kindergarten, but Bitsy, a gregarious classmate dressed in “so much pink it gives Amanda a headache,” rubs her the wrong way. Even though Bitsy just wants to be BFFs, “Amanda Panda does not feel like being kind.” Quitting kindergarten, she slips into her brother’s second-grade class, but after Bitsy tracks her down there (and then promptly freaks out), Amanda confidently guides her back to their classroom, paving the way for a new friendship. Using splashes of warm color and with fine detailing, Grove creates an energetic cast of roly-poly pandas who exude style in their wardrobe choices. Ransom (Rebel McKenzie) sensitively addresses the challenges of handling expectations in new circumstances, as well as the roundabout path to friendship. Ages 3–7. Author’s agent: Victoria Wells Arms, Wells Arms Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Maggie Byer-Sprinzeles, Byer-Sprinzeles Agency.
June 1, 2017
Amanda Panda starts off an unlikable kindergartner, but school (and exposure to other kids) teaches her how to be a friend, and that might be the most important lesson of all.Amanda Panda (not the Amanda Panda of Sarah Dillard's First Day at Zoo School) knows who she is, what she likes, and what she's good at, and she has big plans for kindergarten. Those plans don't include the girl panda in head-to-toe pink at the bus stop, though Bitsy does her best to be Amanda's friend. While Amanda knows that she should return Bitsy's compliment, she doesn't. And when Bitsy sits at the table next to Amanda, "It is the end of the world." Indeed, the day is rough, and Amanda can't do anything quite right. So, at the end of a disastrous recess, she stealthily joins her older brother's second-grade line and quits kindergarten. But the chairs are too big, and she can't read the words. Just then a lost and afraid Bitsy appears to find her new friend. Amanda's empathy finally manifests, and she leads Bitsy by the hand to kindergarten, where suddenly everything seems brighter and Bitsy is a friend. Amanda's transformation is a bit sudden and extreme, and instead of combining their interests, Grove shows Amanda playing with Bitsy's toys. Still, Grove's watercolors masterfully portray Amanda's every emotion, even the nasty ones. Empathy and kindness are just as important as ABCs and 123s, and Amanda gives readers a good lesson. (Picture book. 4-8)
COPYRIGHT(2017) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
August 1, 2017
PreS-K-Amanda Panda is filled with excitement about starting kindergarten and has her entire first day planned. She will write her name in big, important letters on the blackboard and then wow the whole class by being the fastest runner. But as so often happens in life, things do not go exactly as she envisioned. On the bus, she is forced to sit next to Bitsy, a girl whose favorite color is "sparkles" and who seems intent on becoming Amanda's friend. Amanda does not feel like being kind and ignores this exuberant panda in pink. As if that isn't vexing enough, Bitsy proceeds to sit next to her in class, Amanda's block tower collapses in epic fashion, and worst of all; she trips during a race at recess. This is the end of the world, concludes Amanda, who decides to quit kindergarten and sneak off her to older brother's classroom. In no time at all, she realizes that the older grades don't have any of the kindergarten perks; the chairs are too big, the room is too quiet and worst of all, there is no building center. When Bitsy comes searching for her in tears, Amanda realizes she has made a true friend. And guess what? It isn't the end of the world after all. Grove's illustrations are the perfect medium for this story and she captures the young pandas' emotions expertly. Ransom has delivered a funny and relatable tale about how even when things don't go according to plan; they can still turn out okay. VERDICT Filled with droll humor that begs to be read aloud, this is an excellent back-to-school purchase and a great fit for storytime.-Amy Nolan, St. Joseph Public Library, MI
Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
May 1, 2017
Preschool-G For her first day of kindergarten, Amanda plans a series of triumphs: printing her name in big letters on the board, building a tall block tower, and winning a downhill race. But that's not exactly how things turn out. She begins by snubbing Bitsy, a friendly classmate dressed all in pink: So much pink it gives Amanda a headache. After a series of disappointments, Amanda quietly quits kindergarten and joins her brother in the second-grade classroom. Just as his teacher discovers her there, Bitsy appears in the doorway, tearfully lost and needing Amanda to lead her back to kindergarten. With strong dialogue and well-imagined details of wardrobe and play, Ransom writes an original story around the familiar situation: the beginning of school. The two childlike panda characters become friends despite their differences, or perhaps because of them. Grove's illustrations, line drawings washed with color, create the settings while expressing the characters' emotions through their expressions and body language. This wryly amusing picture book offers a fresh take on an old theme.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)
January 1, 2018
Amanda Panda ambitiously plans to be a star on the first day of kindergarten. Her plans go awry--annoying classmate Bitsy seems to be getting all the attention--so Amanda quits kindergarten. But when Bitsy gets lost searching for her, Amanda has a satisfying change of heart. The amiable school story features amusing illustrations of expressive panda characters in spiffy first-day-of-school clothes.
(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)