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Summary
Summary
Amanda Panda's birthday is tomorrow. She'll be the first kid in her class to turn six! But when she gets to the bus stop, her best friend/worst enemy Bitsy announces that today is HER birthday! And her party is planned for Saturday, the same day as Amanda's!
Birthday dreams ruined, Amanda's can't keep her temper in check at school. By recess, it looks like Amanda's birthday plans - and her friendship with Bitsy - is over. But when the girls stop arguing long enough to listen to each other, they come up wtih a birthday plan that is TWICE the fun.
Young children will learn about sharing, compromise, and conflict resolution, all the while laughing along with Amanda and Bitsy in this adorable, school-based story from a new favorite character.
Reminiscent of the strength and charm of Russell and Lillian Hoban's Frances the Badger, Lilly of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse , and Peggy Rathmann's Ruby the Copycat - veteran children's author Candice Ransom has perfectly captured the spirit, motivations, and voice of a headstrong five-(almost-six)-year-old girl.
Author Notes
Candice Ransom was born in Virginia in 1952. She grew up in the country and spent most of her time daydreaming, creating stories in her head once she'd read all the books in her school library. After writing her first book at age 7, she has gone on to write over 100 books for children and young adults.
She has a Masters in Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College and is earning a Masters in Children's Literature from Hollins University. Among her popular titles are The Big Green Pocketbook (1993), One Christmas Dawn (1996), The Promise Quilt (2002), and Liberty Street (2003). Her books have received numerous awards, including the Hodge Podge Society Best Children's Book; Pick of the List; Notable Trade Book in Social Studies; New York Times Ten Best Illustrated Book; New York Library Best One Hundred Book; IRA/Children's Choice; and ALA Recommended Book for Reluctant Readers.
Ransom is also a ghostwriter for the Boxcar Children Mysteries, having written 18 titles for the series. She has started the Promise Quilt Literacy Project, which gives books to the children of the Virginia Appalachians. Instead of donating to individuals or to school libraries, Ransom sends 30 new books to a classroom, choosing a different school each month and giving the teacher the option of keeping the books in the classroom or letting each child take one home.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (3)
School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-In this follow-up to Amanda Panda Quits Kindergarten, Amanda is about to be the first in her class to turn six. Since "that makes her famous," she can't wait to go to school and invite everyone to her party. Her excitement is extinguished when she finds out it's already her best friend Bitsy's birthday. Bitsy has a special day at school while Amanda sulks. The crisis continues when Bitsy invites the whole class to her birthday party on the same day as Amanda's. The friends stop talking until recess when they compromise and decide to throw a joint party. Grove's pastel watercolors are lighthearted and detailed, and perfectly reveal Amanda and Bitsy's personalities. Young children will understand Amanda's emotions when her "tummy feels lower than her toes." Her easy-to-read facial expressions expertly reinforce the feeling of being overshadowed. The tension in the story is relieved by the soft illustrations, and the well-designed layout encourages readers to turn the page. Text and illustrations work harmoniously to capture the feelings of disappointment when faced with the sticky situation of having a birthday party on the same day as a classmate, and all the worries that come with it. Ransom addresses some of these challenges with a satisfying ending that demonstrates a birthday might not go exactly as planned, but having a friend by your side is all that matters. VERDICT A sweet story on a familiar birthday party conundrum faced by many school-age children and their parents. An excellent addition for most picture book collections.-Lauren White, Wake County Public Libraries, NC © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Kindergartner Amanda (Amanda Panda Quits Kindergarten) has big birthday plans, so she's very annoyed when best friend Bitsy steals the spotlight with her birthday the day before. The two pandas stop speaking to each other until--to everyone's satisfaction--they decide to combine their parties. Expressive illustrations of Amanda and her classmates and plenty of entertaining visual details add humor to this realistic friendship dilemma. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Amanda Panda is ecstatic about having the first birthday in her kindergarten, but when her best friend's birthday threatens to outshine hers, they must find a way to work it out.Amanda Panda is "special" because she has the first birthday in her class, and she will be "famous" for being the first to turn 6. Her birthday is tomorrow, but when she goes out to the bus with her party invitations in hand, she discovers that Bitsy's birthday is today! Throughout Bitsy's birthday celebration at school, Amanda broodsshe does not want a "leftover song" or "leftover cupcakes" on "her special day." Their birthday parties are planned for the same day, tooSaturdaywhich makes things so bad that they stop speaking to each other. But Amanda and Bitsy quickly find that they miss each other and don't want to miss each other's birthday parties. They find a solution that pleases both of them as well as all their friends. Grove's illustrations in watercolor and ink create endearing pandas in festive scenes with a pastel palette. Amanda Panda's emotional roller coaster rings true, and the revived friendship is delightful. It may not be the most original story, but as long as children's emotions run high, it is one that doesn't get old.A sweet celebration of friendship and the drama of kindergarten. (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
