Dear Panda

PreS-Gr 2—Florence has just moved to a new house, right next to a zoo and is excited that she is able to see some of the animals from her window. However, even watching her favorite critter—the panda—can't make her feel better when she receives a letter from her soon-to-be teacher inviting her to introduce herself on her first day of school. Shy about standing in front of strangers, Flo worries that she won't make any new friends before the big day. Then she has an idea: she writes a note to her new neighbor (Panda is "flabbergasted" and delighted to receive his "first-ever letter"), initiating a correspondence that soon flowers into comforting camaraderie. Panda even accompanies Flo on that dreaded first day, paving the way for her to befriend a panda-loving classmate. Featuring subdued hues, soft edges, and crayon-textured highlights, the winsome mixed-media illustrations are filled with engaging details and expressive emotions. All of the missives are included in a variety of fonts, underscoring the power of written communication. Latimer's reassuring tale handles real-world issues with a charming touch of fantasy.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal