How This Book Got Red
By John Sooja,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Cute, charming message of inclusion in bright picture book.
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What's the Story?
In HOW THIS BOOK GOT RED, a red panda named Red and her friend Gee, who is a giant panda, find a book about pandas and they are excited to read it. But when they finish it, Red is disappointed and frustrated that it never mentionsvvvv anything about red pandas. They find other books about pandas, but still, no mention of red pandas. So Red becomes determined to write her own book all about red pandas. Will anyone be interested?
Is It Any Good?
The main messages of inclusion, representation, and pride in your identity are front and center in this charming picture book. The idea (metaphor) in How This Book Got Red is easy to understand and propels the story smoothly. Even when Red gets a little doubtful about her mission, the world shows her that her message is ready to be heard. The story also shows that there is power and positivity in telling your own story and getting who you are out there. And plenty of pages show her good friend, Gee, who is a giant black and white panda, being a great friend and ally. The art is colorful, friendly, charming, and adorable, and many representations of different kinds of panda families are also shown, which helps to casually show that panda families can be made up of both red pandas and giant pandas.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about being sad about not seeing yourself in books and television and movies. Have you ever felt like Red in How This Book Got Red? What would your story look like?
How does Red show courage, perseverance, and communication in her quest to write her own book about red pandas? How do these character strengths help her solve the problem?
What is your favorite fact about red pandas?
How does Gee help Red by being a good friend and ally?
What are some other animals that you think deserve more books about them?
Book Details
- Author: Margaret Chiu Greanias
- Illustrator: Melissa Iwai
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Activism , Great Boy Role Models , Great Girl Role Models
- Character Strengths: Communication , Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
- Publication date: October 3, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 8
- Number of pages: 40
- Available on: Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: October 29, 2023
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