Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?

PreS-Gr 1 While some adults may sigh at the similarity of this title to Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (1983) and Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? (1995, both Holt), children will be thrilled. A water buffalo, a green sea turtle, a black panther, and other animals answer that familiar call, "What do you see?" Readers view all these creatures and more, a treat considering that the 10 animals featured are all endangered species and therefore rare sights. The book closes wistfully with a dreaming child who sees the animals all "wild and free." Names like "macaroni penguin" contribute to some awkwardness in the text's rhythm, but the bright collage images and lilting language bring the animals to life on the page-soaring, swinging, or even strutting. Opening with a helpful note on the importance of animal protection, this title will make a perfect segue into conversations about endangered species.-Julie Roach, Malden Public Library, MA Copyright 2003 Media Source Inc.

Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

More than 35 years ago, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? introduced two men who are now giants in the children's book field, Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle. Two years ago they collaborated on Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?, and now they join forces a third time to zero in on endangered species Martin's rhyming couplets dance to a now-familiar brisk beat, parading past a lineup that includes a water buffalo, spider monkey, macaroni penguin and whooping crane, among others. As before, each animal's response to the question "What do you see?" prompts a turn of the page and a new creature to view ("Sea Lion, Sea Lion, what do you see?/ I see a red wolf sneaking by me"). In the end, a "dreaming child" sees the entire cast of critters, "all wild and free." The bouncy repetition and streamlined presentation is keenly attuned to a preschool audience, who will also find much to pore over in the artwork. Carle's signature jewel-toned tissue paper and acrylic collages are simple enough for youngest onlookers to appreciate, yet filled with subtleties to delight adult eyes (such as the cool, lush blues of sea and sky) and he creates a sense of forward motion through his positioning of the animals (they all face toward the right-hand page). Another standout from the creators of a line of perennial favorites. Ages 2-5. (Aug.)

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission

Carle's use of negative space and of sculptural line conveys not only the essence of each animal but also the energy of its movement. A fine read-aloud with a subtle, yet clear, message.

"Even after more than 35 years, [Carle's] style still radiates the same remarkable elemental beauty." —The New York Times Book Review

"Carle's trademark paint and cut-out style and Martin's rhythmic and repetitive text full of animal observations engages little ones and keeps them turning the pages." —San Francisco Chronicle