The Moon Is a Ball
Stories of Panda & Squirrel
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Philosophical, wise, funny, true-to-child and wonderfully illustrated stories about an unbreakable friendship between a panda and a squirrel, from two world greats of children's literature.
Panda and Squirrel can't live without each other and do everything together: lie on the rocks to look at the moon, take walks, play games. One of their journeys lasts for only two steps, another day they discover a newly hatched duckling. Sometimes they argue but they always make up again. This a friendship for any day: roaring, quiet, grumbling, snoring . . . always.
These down-to-earth, warmhearted friendship stories reach straight from the soul of one six-year-old to another.
Written by Ed Franck, one of Belgium's most important and innovative children's writers, and illustrated by The Tjong-Khing, a world-leading illustrator for children, whose many accolades include nomination for the Hans Christian Andersen Award.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this mellow chapter book readaloud, likable best buddies Panda and Squirrel argue, philosophize, play, test, and care for one another over the course of nine interlinked short tales that articulate the importance of companionship. In "A Long Journey," the pair take a literally snail-paced approach to adventure, discovering that the life of the mind can transport one just as far as steps on a path. "Dollop" sees the two besties naming their feelings after they care for an abandoned duckling. And "Who Are You?" presents the playfellows grappling with Panda's temporary amnesia after an accident. Throughout, straightforward writing centers the friends' devotion, giving space to expressive dialogue ("I'm never bored when I'm with you") and affectionate acts ("Squirrel puts her paw in Panda's big paw"). As Franck models charming rapport and low-stakes companionship, Tjong-Khing's delicate artwork provides nature-filled scenes of glorious suns and a bamboo forest. Ages 4–10.
