The Panda Problem (Deborah Underwood)

Title:  The Panda Problem

Author:  Deborah Underwood

Illustrator:  Hannah Marks

Target Ages:  5 and up

Genre:  Post Modern Picture Book (Metafiction)

Publisher Summary: 

Every story needs a problem.  But Panda doesn’t have a problem.  Unless Panda IS the problem.

First Lines:

Once upon a time, there was a panda who lived in a beautiful bamboo grove.

But the panda had a BIG problem.

Nope.

Excuse me?

Memorable Moment:

BECAUSE THINGS CAN’T GET ANY WORSE!

Oh, can’t they?

What if suddenly there were…

Evaluation:

Author Deborah Underwood knows how to create a witty picture book. I became a fan after reading the Here Comes the … Cat series.  Her creative twists and turns as well as her memorable characters make for an entertaining reading experience.  The Panda Problem is no different.

Along with many readers—young and old—I love pandas. Underwood’s panda character is full of cheeky fun.  Though he is the main character (at least in theory), he does everything he can to undermine the story.  At the same time, he is creating the very story he attempts to usurp (more about that later). 

On a simple level, this picture book introduces children to the parts of a story—setting, character, plot, conflict, and resolution—in an engaging manner.  Characterization can be explored through the witty dialogue between the narrator and the panda. Suspense is craftily used to keep listeners predicting what will happen next. Underwood often subverts expectations with inventive surprises and humorous irony.  

The difference between realism and fantasy is another layer.  It is real that pandas live in a bamboo grove.  They eat lots of bamboo.  Pandas cannot live in Antartica.  However, elements like jellybean rain and a banjo-playing bear are fantasy.  The seamless blend of the two elements—fantasy and reality—is an ideal teaching opportunity for educators and parents. 

The story can be read as just a fun picture book.  However, older students can look at it more closely because it is deceptively complex. 

The Panda Problem subtly pokes fun at the cliché picture book—a story with a character that has a problem and then the problem worsens, but in the end everything resolves itself.  Like many post-modern books, it questions this plot development assumption while also sticking with it (somewhat) often including absurd elements, such as aliens and jellybean rain. 

Educators and parents can use it as an example of metafiction, fiction about fiction in which the author knowingly draws attention to the fact that it is fiction.  Older students (through college age) can dig into not only what metafiction is but what purpose it has and how it reflects post-modern attitudes about literature and life. For instance, The Panda Problem uses metafiction to epitomize the post-modern idea: Life is uncertain and truth is relative, but we might as well have some fun with them. 

Witty.  Subversive. Thought-provoking.  The Panda Problem is a must read for all ages! 

Lesson Plan Activities and Extension Ideas Recap:

• Parts of a Story: Use to introduce or reinforce the key parts of a story.  Then, identify the parts of this story.  Debate--Who is the real protagonist?
• Predicting Skills: Periodically stop to allow children to guess what is going to happen next and why they think so.
• Irony:  What are some examples of irony?  What type of irony is it?  What is the significance of each example?
• Suspense:  How does the author incorporate suspense?
• Fantasy vs. Reality:  Discuss which story elements are based on fantasy and which are on reality.
• Post-Modernism:  Demonstrates post-modern elements on a simple but complex level. For more post-modern picture books, click HERE.  (More post-modern picture book posts coming soon.)
• Metafiction:  Can be used up to college age along with novels (like Don Quixote) or short stories ("The Kugelmass Episode") that incorporate metafiction.  For more metafiction examples, click HERE.

Poetry Friday: Follow, Follow (by Marilyn Singer)

Like her earlier work Mirror, Mirror, Marilyn Singer has created a collection of clever and ironic reversos.  Follow, Follow uses fairy tale characters and stories to illustrate that there are two sides to every story.  The poems, and accompanying illustrations, are side by side.  Though there are only slight changes in areas of punctuation and capitalization, the poems are exactly the same on both sides, but the lines are in reverse order.  Amazingly, with just those small changes, a completely different perspective is revealed. For instance, in “Ready, Steady, Go!” both the hare and the tortoise’s views are seen (read both side separately):

That ridiculous loser!                             Take me to the finish line!

I am not                                                 I’ve got rabbit feet to

a slowpoke.                                           beat.

Though I may be                                    I can’t be

the smallest bit distracted,                       the smallest bit distracted.

I can’t be                                               Though I may be

beat.                                                      a slowpoke.

I’ve got rabbit feet to                              I am not

 take me to the finish line.                       That ridiculous loser.

Singer uses many other favorite fairy tales, such as  Twelve Dancing Princesses, The Emperor’s New Clothes, Goose Girl, Princess and the Pea, The Pied Piper, Puss in Boot, and Three Little Pigs.  Follow,Follow can be enjoyed for its beautiful illustrations and witty poems, but it also makes for insightful and entertaining exploration opportunities of literacy and performance in the classroom.  I recommend this book for ages 7 and up. 

One of my favorites is a nice contrast between traditional and modern views of women and love: “The Little Mermaid’s Choice.”

For love,                                           You’ll never catch me

give up your voice.                             playing

Don’t                                                “Catch him.”

think twice.                                       You can’t

One the shore,                                   be docile

be his shadow.                                   in the unruly sea.

Don’t                                                Keep your home.

keep your home                                 Don’t

in the unruly sea.                               be his shadow

Be docile.                                          on the shore.

You can’t                                           Think twice!

catch him                                           Don’t

playing                                              give up your voice

"You'll never catch me."                          for love.

For other great poetry selections from around the blog-o-sphere, check out Think, Kid. Think.

                       

Activities & Ideas: Chester by Melanie Watt

On one of my many excursions to the library, I saw a book called Chester (ages 4-9) sitting out.  It had a large, plump cat with a mischievous smile on the cover.  I thought it looked cute, so I grabbed it.  Little did I know it would become a phenomenon in our household! 

First, both my kids laughed hysterically as they read it (an 8 year old and a 12 year old).  Second, I enjoyed the two vivid personalities at war with each other for who is the author of the book.  Chester is a narcissistic but lovable cat.  He loves to interrupt the story with his own comments in red.  Melanie Watt, his rival, is forever trying to temper Chester’s ego and often bests him at his own game.  Third, the illustrations are fun.  They pull the reader into the conflict and the characters further. 

Whenever I really enjoy a book, I always check to see what else the author has published.  I found out that there is a follow-up called Chester’s Back which we got our hands on right away.  My son was so taken with the books that I bought both of them for him.  When Chester’s Masterpiece came out a couple months later, I reserved and purchased it right away too.  I enjoyed the first two best, but the third one is also charming. 

Shortly after Chester the book showed up in our house, Chester the cat (and alter ego of my son) showed up.   My son has tried to use Chester to get out of his own mischievous ways (which did NOT work).  The part I enjoy most though is the imagination and creativity that Chester has brought out in my child.  My son has created a whole world based loosely on this fictional cat.  He has a distinguishable accent when Chester is manifesting.  He makes us laugh with his antics.  To me, part of the value of books is that they should feed our imaginations and help us express ourselves.   Melanie Watt’s Chester books have done that for us.  This series of books has permanently made an imprint on my family.    

Teaching Ideas:  The Chester series is especially conducive to discussing point of view since there are two strong, defined characters that are the focus.  Discuss the differences in tone, mood, and content between them.  Use a Venn Diagram to outline the similarities/differences or make a chart together.  Also, connect that information to specific character qualities of each voice.  Help students to see the connection between voice, point of view, and character. 

Next, play a game of “If I Were.”  Have 3-5 scenarios, such as playing a game, doing a project, or completing chores.  Ask the students to pick which character (Melanie or Chester) they would want to be with in that scenario and to explain why.  For example, If I Were to play a game of cards, I would want to play against ________________ because ___________________. OR If I Were doing chores, I would want _______________ to help me because _________________.   This game/activity is an excellent way to assess how well the students understand the characters. 

Finally, students can write their own version or the story.  For instance, in pairs or with a parent, students can create their own Chester vs. Melanie conflict.  One person begins to write a story (either made up or a familiar fairy tale/myth), while the other person jumps in periodically to give his/her point of view on how the story should go.  It should be done in a fun and humorous manner.   This activity could also be done in a classroom with the teacher telling the story while the students interrupt to give their 2 cents.