BAMBOO FOR ME, BAMBOO FOR YOU!

Panda sisters Amanda and Miranda enjoy playing, watching other animals, and chewing on bamboo.

The pint-sized cubs live at the zoo with their Mama. Throughout the day, they observe what the other animals eat. Though curious, they are picky! “Pewwww!” is the repeated refrain as they scrutinize their neighbors’ meals. They prefer bamboo, which they jubilantly share for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Like all toddler siblings, Amanda and Miranda spend the day playing…and arguing. When some gentle pushing gets slightly out of hand, the cubs decide to play alone, each ultimately realizing she is lonely without her sister. The rhyming text and repeated, predictable negative judgment of all foods nonbamboo help to tie the storylines together, creating a gleeful picture of the persnickety pandas’ daily routine. The consistent rhythm pattern and use of words that rhyme with “bamboo” result in a narrative that is delightful to read aloud. Bright and charming full-page illustrations show a romantic version of zoo life. The animals are all happy, living in quarters partitioned off by small barriers and full of natural materials to lounge on and explore. There are no cages and no humans. This idealized setting may be unrealistic, but it serves the overall tone of the story well.

Sweet and satisfying.