Surprise! Surprise!

Little Panda can only afford a very small plant for his mother's birthday present. He hides it in the attic and gives the tiny plant his Moonlight, because although Little Panda is afraid of the dark, the plant needs the Moonlight more than he does. On the day of the birthday, Little Panda leads his parents up to attic, and opens the door onto a big surprise! This second picture book featuring Little Panda deals in a gentle and positive way with children's fear of the dark. The simple, warm story is accompanied by glowing watercolour illustrations, and a spectacular pull-out page at the end.\nFrom School Library Journal\nPreSchool-K?In this sequel to Dad! I Can't Sleep! (Harcourt, 1994), Little Panda buys a tiny plant for his mother's birthday and hides it in the gloomy attic. He has to give up his nightlight and overcome his fear of the dark to keep the plant growing. The "surprise" in the title is revealed in a fold-out spread of the lovingly tended plant bursting out of the roof. The writing is simple and well-paced, and the watercolor illustrations are vibrant. The pandas are wide-eyed and cuddly and will appeal to young children, as will the premise of plotting a surprise for mom.?Christine A. Moesch, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, NY
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.\nFrom Booklist\nAges 4^-6. Because he's afraid of the dark, Little Panda relies on his Moonlight to shine over him throughout the night. But when he buys a tiny plant for his mother's birthday gift and hides it in the dark attic, he has to give up his Moonlight so the plant will survive. Adjusting to sleeping without his Moonlight, Little Panda is no longer scared of the dark. By his mother's birthday, to everyone's surprise, the tiny plant has grown so big that it has burst through the roof. The atmospheric watercolors evoke Little Panda's early, discordant feelings as well as the overall warmly reassuring mood of the story. Although the surprise ending is initially disconcerting, this comfortable sequel to
Dad! I Can't Sleep will be enjoyed by all.
April Judge