Can Pandas Be Koalas Too?: A Story About Identity, Belonging, and Self-Acceptance

by Jane Xu, Sang Oh (Illustrator)

35 pages, Paperback

Published April 30, 2025

Reviews

[Shan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely perfect in every way! In today's world this book is more relevant than ever. The main thing that I liked about this book was how readers get the chance to see so many sides of Pandy's character throughout the book, and readers learn alongside Pandy the importance of being unapologetically, fully you. Additionally, this message is relevant to all kinds of young readers out there, making this book's audience huge and endless.

Yet another great thing about this book was the way it was delivered. Using koalas and pandas in order to convey the book's message was such a clever choice to make, and it worked flawlessly.

Lastly, the illustrations had a unique art style which fit the tone of the book perfectly. The illustrator used soft and gentle colors, but they also played around with depth, shape, and perspective a lot, which made for a visually interesting and engaging story.

Bravo!!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Alejandra RL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este es un lindo cuento para niños, pero que los adultos también pueden disfrutar. De manera sencilla, explica los conflictos que experimentan los niños que son hijos de migrantes, al tratar de construir su identidad.
Definitivamente ayudará a que más de un pequeño se identifique o empática con sus semejantes.

This is a lovely story for children, but one that adults can also enjoy. In a simple way, it explains the struggles that children of migrants experience when trying to build their identity.

It will definitely help more than one child identify with or empathize with their peers.

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are introduced to Pandy, who lives in Koalaland and attends school with Koalas in Can Pandas Be Koalas Too?: A Story About Identity, Belonging, and Self-Acceptance by Jane Xu. The Koalas never thought Pandy was different than them until one particular day when they all sat together eating lunch. While all the Koalas were eating their eucalyptus leaves, Pandy pulled out her bamboo shoots.

One of the nearby Koalas started making a fuss over the smell of the bamboo treat, which made them start to question exactly what kind of bear Pandy was. She felt horrible because she was never treated like this before, but now she felt out of place being the only Panda in school. This leads her to question who she really is and why she’s so different than the others around her. Does she finally get to the bottom of her question, “Can Pandas be Koalas too?” Do the Koalas finally accept Pandy for who she is?

This is one children’s picture book that will make children see that just because they may look different on the outside doesn’t mean they don’t have the same feelings and emotions as others around them. Pandy fit in so well with the Koalas until the day she brought in the bamboo shoots for lunch, then everything changed quickly for her. It shows children that it makes you special if you look and act differently from others around you. It’s the perfect depiction of the old phrase, “don’t judge a book by its cover.”

When Pandy starts talking to Platypus, it is so beautiful how Platypus tries everything imaginable to cheer Pandy up. She tells Pandy that she is the only one who can make decisions about what she is and that no one should be labeling her. This teaches children that they should accept others around them and not make labels, setting people into different categories because they might look, speak, or act differently than they do.

The illustrations provided by Sang Oh could be found on every page of this delightful children’s book. The pictures were full-paged and done in muted tones that were pleasant on the reader’s eyes. The renderings of the characters were adorable to look at, and children will easily fall in love with each one of them at first sight. The illustrations perfectly complement the written story that the author has created. Sang Oh originally worked in the fashion and entertainment industries but transitioned to being a freelance designer and illustrator in 2019.

Overall, Can Pandas Be Koalas Too? by Jane Xu is one children’s book that will entertain readers of all ages. It teaches children not to judge a book by its cover and to accept everyone as being uniquely different. The characters are adorable to look at, and readers will easily fall in love with them right from the start. This children’s picture book comes highly recommended!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can Pandas Be Koalas Too? by Jane Xu, with charming illustrations by Sang Oh, is a heartwarming story that explores themes of identity and belonging in a way that’s both accessible and relatable for children. Readers are introduced to Pandy, a sweet panda who lives in Koalaland and does everything the koala way. For a long time, no one questioned it—until one day, when Pandy pulls out her favorite snack, bamboo. Her friends, who only eat eucalyptus, are surprised. One of them says, “You don’t look like a koala. You look like a panda.” Then they ask, “What are you?” This question confuses Pandy and makes her question where she belongs. She begins to feel different—and very alone. Her mother doesn’t offer much comfort, simply telling her she’s a panda. But then, Pandy meets a platypus who helps her see things differently. Platypus encourages her to be herself. When Pandy is asked once again what she is, she gives the only answer that truly matters: “I’m Pandy.” I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

As an educator, I appreciated how the author introduced such a meaningful concept so gently. Identity can be complicated for some children, and I believe many young readers will relate to Pandy’s experience. This story also fosters empathy—children will feel for Pandy’s confusion and isolation. I especially loved how her final answer wasn’t about what she is, but who she is. It reminded me of Dolly Parton’s quote: “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” The illustrations by Sang Oh are beautiful and bring emotional depth to the story. I also liked how some of the emphasized words were rendered in a handwriting-style font, helping those moments stand out visually. I highly recommend Can Pandas Be Koalas Too? by Jane Xu for any classroom or home library. It’s a thoughtful and uplifting story that encourages children to embrace their true selves.

[Neena]

In Xu's heartfelt story, a young panda must decide for herself who she is. Pandy has always felt like a Koala—she plays koala games, sings koala songs, and fits right in at her koala school. But when her bamboo lunch draws puzzled looks and classmates’ questions where she’s “really” from, doubt creeps in. She begins to wonder, "is she actually a Panda?"

Xu captures the confusion and discomfort that can follow a seemingly small moment—like a wrinkled nose at lunch or an innocent question about where she's “really” from. Curiosity turns into self-doubt and identity conflict, but Xu handles it all with clarity and warmth that young readers can easily grasp. Sang Oh’s illustrations are a delight. Like the best picture books, the book makes space for young readers to ask their own questions: about family, appearance, language, culture—and how these things do (or don’t) define us. Ideal for mixed-culture families, inclusive classrooms, and readers of all ages who are learning that the truest place to belong is within yourself. A graceful, empowering story that speaks volumes in quiet ways.