This story teaches students all about pandas. Books are great for students, especially during a animal units, to learn about wild animals such as pandas. These books incorporate a lot of descriptive pics that shows children the different characteristics of pandas and what separates them from other animals.

Tracks of a Panda straddles the line between fiction and non-fiction with its tale of a mother panda and her cub. The story is painstakingly accurate, as Panda gives birth, nurses her cub, depletes the bamboo near their den, and must leave with her cub to search for a new home with plentiful food. Aside from the informative story, each page spread also features a box that contains a fact about pandas, set off by different font. Visually, the book is striking; the color palette remains faithful to nature, ranging from crisp greens when Panda and her cub are living among plentiful bamboo to stark blues and browns when the landscape grows wintery. Children may not even notice that they’re learning, as the illustrations with their Asian-style brushwork are engrossing enough to distract from the informative aspects of the text. This will work as a story hour book but may be most effective when readers and listeners have a chance to examine the artwork closely to appreciate the fine details. Recommended for ages 5 to 9. ( )

This book is great! i am especially interested in this book becuase i love pandas! It would be great to use for elementary grades. It would inform them, while also keeping their attention.

I am a vegan and a huge proponent of teaching children about our fragile environment through books and stories. The illustrations (watercolors) received rave reviews from my 16 yr. old daughter. Definitely owns the "awww factor". I was a bit uncomfortable reading about the suckling panda aloud and had to paraphrase for my own comfort. Much factual information adds a second dimension to this otherwise lovely picture book. The index with list of terms in back allows reader to search specific terms and phrases. Definitely kdg-third level of interest. ( )