Panda & Polar Bear by Matthew J. Baek

Due out in June, 2009.

Two kinds of bears lived on either side of a cliff.  The snowy landscape at the top of the cliff housed polar bears and down below in the green of bamboo lived pandas.  One day, a very curious young polar bear leaned too far over the cliff and fell.  Luckily he landed in a deep puddle of mud which colored his limbs deep brown.  When he rubbed his eyes, he looked just like a panda.  It was then that a young panda found him.  The two played merrily together, until the polar bear swam after some fish in a pool and the mud washed off.  Would the panda accept him as he really was?

Baek’s illustrations are bundles of color surrounded by white, the watercolor offering distinctive differences between the two environments.  The bears are done with simple, strong lines that are perfect for children.  The writing is nicely simple and clear, offering what happens and not commentary on it, which is very pleasant.   Teachers and parents will appreciate this book about our differences and similarities and how both are to be celebrated. 

This simple, straight-forward book will find a niche in classrooms as a source of discussion about our different qualities.  It is also a nice read-aloud on bears and can be taken lightly by younger children.  Appropriate for ages 3-5.

NOTE:  This book was sent to me via email in the form of a pdf.  Though I am still reluctant to review longer books online, I am happy to say that picture books work well for me in this format.