Story of the woman who traveled to China in search of Giant Pandas. She rescued a Giant Panda baby, and brought it into captivity for scientific study. ( )

This picture book, replete with beautiful illustrations, tells the story of the pioneering American woman who traveled to China to find and bring back the first baby panda to the United States in the 1930s. Author’s Note, Selected Bibliography, Chronology of Events.

this book got off on a rocky start for me. The statement "Women were considered too dainty for exploring." in the very beginning made me a little spicy, however the great efforts that Mrs Harkness went to to prove everyone wrong definitely made up for it. When she packed dried milk for her trip to China in case the panda was a baby my heart melted, I thought what a kind person. After I learned that she gave the baby panda to the zoo I wanted to take my kind thoughts back but after reading the author's note I had a change of heart. It reminded me back in the 1930's our way of learning was much much different. They had no other choice but to learn by observing and having the actual thing. Phones, computers, even ways of traveling was not so extensive. So I thank Mrs Harkness for her contribution to zoology and being so adventurous and brave and not listening to those who didn't believe. the Primary source at the end was the cutest touch to leave the reader with. Also the illustrations in this book was amazing!!!! ( )

“Mrs. Harkness and the Panda Bear”, written by, Alicia Potter, illustrates a true journey timeline of finding the first Panda bear that was brought back to the United States. The journey began in the 1930's. Explorer William Harkness set off to China to bring the first live panda back to the United States, but he passed away on his journey due to illness. Ruth Harkness, his wife, is very upset by this, but is determined to finish her husband’s expedition. Ruth was told among many people she was not an explorer, she was crazy, and she would die like her husband searching for a Panda. Determined, Mrs. Harkness travels to China in search of a Panda bear to bring back to the United States. After months of traveling across China’s rivers, countryside, and forest searching for a Panda, Ruth proves to those who doubted her by finding a baby Panda named, Su lin. Because Ruth had determination, strength, and courage throughout her expedition she found Su Lin and brought him back to the United States, where everyone could see and learn about Panda's. This book shows the importance of not giving up on dreams and being self-determined leads to success. ( )

Such lovely illustrations; would be a great part of a nonfiction collection about women in history.