Who doesn't love a toy panda?

 Pandemonium

By Gail Aldwin

I was asked by the author to review her book and it was a priviledge to do.  I think it will make an ideal Christmas or Birthday present - this beautifully illustrated book is aimed at children between the ages of 2 – 7 years.

The adorable purple Panda will warm hearts as each page captures a scene even without the words.  An adult reader can point out other elements to the growing child – where is Peta, what else is in the picture, who else is in the picture, what are they doing, what colour is Peta the Panda?  Conversations the story evokes can be interesting and encourage the child’s imagination to build more into the story.  It will be one they remember when they are older.

 Early readers will enjoy the bold lettered short sentences.  There are new words to learn the meaning of – Pandemonium and haberdashery – explanations again encouraging conversations between the child and reader.  Also an opportunity to tell young readers about breaking big words down into syllables to make reading and spelling easier – the cover is a good ‘showing’ example.

 As the book progresses Peta’s purple is disguised to make her look like the other Panda’s but her peers mock her which makes her unhappy.  Lessons on how to deal with unhelpful comments from friends at school could take place from this page and how Mama Panda rescues Peta by undoing the disguise, freeing her and encouraging Peta to be herself.  Conversation about love could be had here and how being accepted as we are makes us happy.

 I love the messages –

• It’s ok to be different
• It’s ok to have fun
• It encourages and affirms
• Love and acceptance help us be true to ourselves

 It is also sweet and cute.  It will appeal to lively children and make quiet children laugh at Peta’s antics.  Ideal for girls or boys, schools, parents, grandparents, childminders, nursery nurses, etc etc.

Five star rating.  Well done Author Gail Aldwin and Illustrator Fiona Zechmeister.

Available from www.victoriapress.com and https://www.waterstones.com/book/pandemonium/gailaldwin/fiona-zechmeister/9781999369675  pre-order now, publication December 2020.

Other reviews can be found on https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55315976-pandemonium

You can follow the author on Twitter @gailaldwin or Facebook: Gail Aldwin, Writer