A Panda's World
In a den high in the mountains of China, a baby giant panda is born. Tiny at first, the black and white mammal quickly grows. Soon it will join its mother as she searches for bamboo in the forest. Follow this plant eater through his second winter as he learns to live on his own.
This picture book follows a baby panda from birth to life on its own in its natural habitat in the mountains of China. This book can be read aloud to younger children or an older child can read it alone.A readable and lively text provides a close-up look at these rare black and white mammals in this “anything but black and white" book. Cut paper illustrations help tell the tales of these amazing animals and the world in which they live.
Sidebars on each page spread expand information in the text. Back matter includes a map of where pandas live, fun facts, further reading, a glossary and index, and a guide to websites appropriate for the age group.
Why are pandas endangered? Every year the number of pandas grows smaller due to destruction of their habitat, accidental deaths in traps set for other animals, and illegal hunting. Because of their size, pandas have few natural enemies except for humans. Despite laws to protect pandas and efforts to preserve their habitat, their plight continues to worsen.
How are people helping pandas? Scientists are studying pandas both in zoos and in the wild so they can learn more about what pandas need to live. In the past century, as the Chinese population has grown, people have cut down many of the forests where pandas live to build farms and villages. The mountain tops where pandas live are now like bamboo islands in a sea of developed land. By planting bands of bamboo to connect these isolated forests, scientists are trying to make it easier for the pandas to move between them and find enough food.
Zoos where you can see giant pandas are in Washington, D.C.; Atlanta, Georgia; Memphis, Tennessee; San Diego, California; Paris, France; Berlin, Germany; Tokyo, Japan; Mexico City, Mexico; Beijing, Chengdu, Ninjing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Woolong, China.
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Make a Paper Plate Panda.
Read A Panda's World. For this project you will need a white paper plate, cotton balls, black and white tissue paper. Glue cotton balls to the paper plate for the panda's furry face. Crumple white tissue paper for the panda's snout and glue on. Crumple black paper for the ears and eye rings and mouth and glue on. Use small cotton balls for the center of the eyes.
The first page in each of Caroline Arnold's Animals series begins with basic facts about the featured animal including where the animal lives, habitat, food, animal class, and scientific name. Beginning with a mother awaiting the birth of her young, each book tells about the baby and each stage of development until the baby is grown and able to be on its own. Vibrant whole-page cut-paper illustrations will fascinate young readers as they learn about the animals in A Killer Whale's World, A Zebra's World, A Penguin's World, and A Panda's World. Additional facts are given in sidebars with more information on each animal's growth, habitat, and unique characteristics. There is a map at the end of the book showing where the animal lives, as well as an index and glossary. Internet sites are listed for more information. This series would be wonderful for beginning research projects, as well as popular titles for young readers to explore. Recommended.
The Caroline Arnold's Animals series features striking paper collages, clear text, and a picture-book format.