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Amanda Panda #1
Amanda Panda Quits Kindergarten
Kindergarten has never been funnier with Amanda Panda--a hilarious, strong-willed new student who is about to take her school by storm--in this perfect back-to-school read!
Amanda Panda has BIG ideas for her first day of school. But when things don’t go according to plan, and when a pesky girl in a pink bow decides to be her best friend, she walks out on kindergarten and joins her brother in second grade. It takes an unlikely partner to fix Amanda’s terrible day—and to teach her about friendship, tolerance, and how to cope with life’s ups and downs.
Amanda Panda perfectly captures the spirit, motivations, and humor of a headstrong five-year-old girl—and will be sure to soothe back-to-school jitters.
Amanda Panda has BIG ideas for her first day of school. But when things don’t go according to plan, and when a pesky girl in a pink bow decides to be her best friend, she walks out on kindergarten and joins her brother in second grade. It takes an unlikely partner to fix Amanda’s terrible day—and to teach her about friendship, tolerance, and how to cope with life’s ups and downs.
Amanda Panda perfectly captures the spirit, motivations, and humor of a headstrong five-year-old girl—and will be sure to soothe back-to-school jitters.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published June 20, 2017
7 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
May 10, 2018
First sentence: Amanda Panda's favorite color is brown. She wants to be a school bus driver when she grows up. She can run really fast, but only downhill. And she cannot wait to start kindergarten.
Premise/plot: Amanda has a plan for how to have a GREAT first day of school. But things don't go according to her plan. And when they don't she feels like QUITTING. Can this first day be saved--be redeemed?!
My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. I enjoyed the school setting and the friendship theme. Amanda is Amanda and Bitsy is Bitsy. The two girls are SO different from one another. Can they find a way to get along? Would having to be friends with Bitsy really be THE END OF THE WORLD?!
Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 7 out of 10
Premise/plot: Amanda has a plan for how to have a GREAT first day of school. But things don't go according to her plan. And when they don't she feels like QUITTING. Can this first day be saved--be redeemed?!
My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. I enjoyed the school setting and the friendship theme. Amanda is Amanda and Bitsy is Bitsy. The two girls are SO different from one another. Can they find a way to get along? Would having to be friends with Bitsy really be THE END OF THE WORLD?!
Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 3 out of 5
Total: 7 out of 10
June 17, 2017
Amanda Panda eagerly awaits her first day of kindergarten and expects that all will go well. After all, she's rehearsed how things will go and even imagined how well she will be able to perform some of the activities. Things don't quite meet her expectations, starting with her big brother leaving her behind to hang out with his friends and then her encounter with Bitsy, a vivacious girl all bedecked in pink. Amanda suffers Bitsy in silence on the bus ride to school and tries to avoid her once they arrive in the classroom. To her chagrin, there is only a small space for her name to be printed on the board and she tries to pile too many blocks on top of one another. A spill down the hill only adds to her misery, and she decides to join her brother instead of heading to the kindergarten classroom with her classmates. But second grade is far too hard for Amanda. Just when she's feeling at her lowest, here comes Bitsy, lost after trying to find her. Amanda realizes that she has something to offer to Bitsy, and she escorts her back to the right classroom. Although these two girls might not seem to have much in common, even their preference for brown (Amanda) and pink (Bitsy), they form a friendship based on kindness to one another. Perhaps there is more to Bitsy than meets the eye, Amanda realizes. Both girls are adorable, and the illustrations have a fresh, clean appearance to them. This would be a great title to share with youngsters on the first day of class. After all, friendship and friendly gestures should not be ignored.
June 30, 2017
A little long and wordy, but good for an older child.
July 29, 2017
A bit long but LOVED the MC and the artwork; would love to see more of this character! Loved her spunk! There was so much in this book for children to relate to; a great read.
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September 21, 2017Kindergarten is not always what you expect, but it can still be good.
July 14, 2017
My heart goes out to Amanda! Starting something new is hard!
School
School
January 27, 2022
Picked up this picture book because Amanda Panda is what I call my sister but WOW this was so funny. "Amanda Panda's favorite color is brown. She wants to be a school bus driver when she grows up. She can run really fast, but only downhill." SAME, Amanda
April 18, 2018
Reviewed for School Library Journal August 2017 issue.
PreS-K—Amanda Panda is filled with excitement about starting kindergarten and has her entire first day planned. She will write her name in big, important letters on the blackboard and then wow the whole class by being the fastest runner. But as so often happens in life, things do not go exactly as she envisioned. On the bus, she is forced to sit next to Bitsy, a girl whose favorite color is "sparkles" and who seems intent on becoming Amanda's friend. Amanda does not feel like being kind and ignores this exuberant panda in pink. As if that isn't vexing enough, Bitsy proceeds to sit next to her in class, Amanda's block tower collapses in epic fashion, and worst of all; she trips during a race at recess. This is the end of the world, concludes Amanda, who decides to quit kindergarten and sneak off her to older brother's classroom. In no time at all, she realizes that the older grades don't have any of the kindergarten perks; the chairs are too big, the room is too quiet and worst of all, there is no building center. When Bitsy comes searching for her in tears, Amanda realizes she has made a true friend. And guess what? It isn't the end of the world after all. Grove's illustrations are the perfect medium for this story and she captures the young pandas' emotions expertly. Ransom has delivered a funny and relatable tale about how even when things don't go according to plan; they can still turn out okay. VERDICT: Filled with droll humor that begs to be read aloud, this is an excellent back-to-school purchase and a great fit for storytime.—Amy Nolan, St. Joseph Public Library, MI
PreS-K—Amanda Panda is filled with excitement about starting kindergarten and has her entire first day planned. She will write her name in big, important letters on the blackboard and then wow the whole class by being the fastest runner. But as so often happens in life, things do not go exactly as she envisioned. On the bus, she is forced to sit next to Bitsy, a girl whose favorite color is "sparkles" and who seems intent on becoming Amanda's friend. Amanda does not feel like being kind and ignores this exuberant panda in pink. As if that isn't vexing enough, Bitsy proceeds to sit next to her in class, Amanda's block tower collapses in epic fashion, and worst of all; she trips during a race at recess. This is the end of the world, concludes Amanda, who decides to quit kindergarten and sneak off her to older brother's classroom. In no time at all, she realizes that the older grades don't have any of the kindergarten perks; the chairs are too big, the room is too quiet and worst of all, there is no building center. When Bitsy comes searching for her in tears, Amanda realizes she has made a true friend. And guess what? It isn't the end of the world after all. Grove's illustrations are the perfect medium for this story and she captures the young pandas' emotions expertly. Ransom has delivered a funny and relatable tale about how even when things don't go according to plan; they can still turn out okay. VERDICT: Filled with droll humor that begs to be read aloud, this is an excellent back-to-school purchase and a great fit for storytime.—Amy Nolan, St. Joseph Public Library, MI
July 27, 2017
Amanda is ready for the first day of kindergarten, but when a pink blob sits next to her, and writes her name in giant important letters on the board, and gets all the attention, Amanda decides to quit kindergarten. Amanda slips into her brother's second grade class but nothing fits right. Then the pink blob comes looking for her. Amanda decides it's better to go back to kindergarten with the pink blob where everything fits her perfectly. She and the pink blob end up being friends.
July 26, 2018
Another quick cute read!
July 3, 2017
Amanda knows just how she wants her first day of Kindergarten to go. She will print her name large on the blackboard, she will build the tallest tower, and she will run faster than everyone else. But when she gets to Kindergarten, it doesn’t go exactly as planned. Amanda’s favorite color is brown, but another girl dressed all in pink won’t leave Amanda alone. In fact, Bitsy is the one who gets to put her name in the middle of the blackboard. Amanda is scolded for building her tower too tall and she isn’t the fastest either. So she decides to head to her brother’s 2nd grade class and just skip Kindergarten entirely.
Ransom has depicted a certain type of child, one that is vastly confident about school and then realizes that what they have dreamed up is not actually reality. It’s a great variant on the typical Kindergarten picture book about the fear of starting school. It also shows that overconfidence can be just as difficult as being worried. Ransom tells an entire story in her picture book, allowing Amanda to feel big emotions and work through them in her own unique way.
Grove’s illustrations add a large amount of appeal to the book. Amanda remains appealing to the reader even though she is prickly, thanks in part to the way she is shown on the page. From her brown cardigan to her red high tops, she is a vibrant character on the page even as she makes plenty of mistakes.
A nice twist to the typical starting school books, this picture book shows everyone has a lot to learn in Kindergarten. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
Ransom has depicted a certain type of child, one that is vastly confident about school and then realizes that what they have dreamed up is not actually reality. It’s a great variant on the typical Kindergarten picture book about the fear of starting school. It also shows that overconfidence can be just as difficult as being worried. Ransom tells an entire story in her picture book, allowing Amanda to feel big emotions and work through them in her own unique way.
Grove’s illustrations add a large amount of appeal to the book. Amanda remains appealing to the reader even though she is prickly, thanks in part to the way she is shown on the page. From her brown cardigan to her red high tops, she is a vibrant character on the page even as she makes plenty of mistakes.
A nice twist to the typical starting school books, this picture book shows everyone has a lot to learn in Kindergarten. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
November 5, 2017
Ransom, Candice Amanda Panda Quits Kindergarten, illustrated by Christine Grove. PICTURE BOOK. Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2017. $17.99.
Amanda Panda is looking forward to her first day of kindergarten and she has big plans for how awesome it is going to be--she'll write her name up big on the board, win a footrace and more. When the big day arrives, however, things do not go as planned. Another kindergartner, Bitsy, seems to always be in the way, ruining everything Amanda Panda had hoped for. After she abandons kindergarten for her brother's 2nd grade class, Amanda has the opportunity to finally turn it around and make a new plan for kindergarten!
This is the perfect book for any child who is nervous about the first day of school or a reader who is struggling with change in general. The story is absolutely delightful and I fell in love with it from my first read through! The illustrations are wonderful and the text, though a little long, is written with a humorous and easily understood tone. This is a great choice for parents and libraries, alike.
Pre-K, EL (K-3)--ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: TC
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
Amanda Panda is looking forward to her first day of kindergarten and she has big plans for how awesome it is going to be--she'll write her name up big on the board, win a footrace and more. When the big day arrives, however, things do not go as planned. Another kindergartner, Bitsy, seems to always be in the way, ruining everything Amanda Panda had hoped for. After she abandons kindergarten for her brother's 2nd grade class, Amanda has the opportunity to finally turn it around and make a new plan for kindergarten!
This is the perfect book for any child who is nervous about the first day of school or a reader who is struggling with change in general. The story is absolutely delightful and I fell in love with it from my first read through! The illustrations are wonderful and the text, though a little long, is written with a humorous and easily understood tone. This is a great choice for parents and libraries, alike.
Pre-K, EL (K-3)--ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: TC
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
November 14, 2017
A sweet story of a panda bear youngster who is off to kindergarten. Amanda Panda is excited for school. She is excited to race downhill in her zippiest sneakers, write her name in big letters on the board and sit behind the bus driver. But none of that happens because of the little thing in pink that seems to pop up everywhere that Amanda goes: Bitsy, the bear in pink. Bitsy won't stop talking so that Amanda can watch the bus driver, she writes her name biggest on the board so there isn't any room left for Amanda's name.
Finally Amanda decides she's had enough: she quits kindergarten and heads to her brother's second grade classroom. But her feet don't touch the floor and there isn't a play area with blocks. When Bitsy shows up at the door crying because she followed Amanda and can't find her way back to the kindergarten classroom, Amanda finds that it isn't that hard to be nice and kind.
Finally Amanda decides she's had enough: she quits kindergarten and heads to her brother's second grade classroom. But her feet don't touch the floor and there isn't a play area with blocks. When Bitsy shows up at the door crying because she followed Amanda and can't find her way back to the kindergarten classroom, Amanda finds that it isn't that hard to be nice and kind.
August 29, 2017
Amanda Panda is excited to start kindergarten, until she actually gets there. She seems to be chosen last, her tower of blocks falls over (and her teacher tells her it is too high), she loses a race at recess, and an annoying classmate insists on sitting next to her on the bus and in the classroom. Amanda decides she has had enough of kindergarten and steals away to her brother's second grade class, but in his class she can't read the words on the board and things seem much harder. When the annoying classmate comes to find her, Amanda realizes she may not be so annoying after all, and that kindergarten may be better than she had thought.
April 10, 2019
"It does not hurt one bit to be kind. And second grade can wait."
A cute story for the child getting ready for Kindergarten. If the child has an older sibling in school it's an even better match. School and the first day sometimes has certain expectations, and that can be hard. It's a little long, but could be a great first day of school book for a kindergarten teacher, or a great parent/child read.
Focus/Lesson: First day of Kindergarten. Expectations. Friendship. Kindness.
Audience: children getting ready for Kindergarten.
Pair with Miss Bindergarten Get's Ready for Kindergarten.
A cute story for the child getting ready for Kindergarten. If the child has an older sibling in school it's an even better match. School and the first day sometimes has certain expectations, and that can be hard. It's a little long, but could be a great first day of school book for a kindergarten teacher, or a great parent/child read.
Focus/Lesson: First day of Kindergarten. Expectations. Friendship. Kindness.
Audience: children getting ready for Kindergarten.
Pair with Miss Bindergarten Get's Ready for Kindergarten.
June 3, 2017
Candice Ransom -- a prolific children's author -- has a new contribution to one of my favorite genres -- the back to school books. This time she has an eager central character Amanda Panda whose first day does not go quite as expected especially when a new girl Bitsy seems to take up a lot of attention and space. In a relatively short story Ransom creates a number of universal events and themes that other first time school goers especially kindergartners could relate to. It could be a great way to prepare someone in need at home or to help ease some concerned new arrivals at school.
September 27, 2017
I started reading this book a week ago and I just started crying. Waterworks city for no real reason. SO a week later (today) I try to pick it back up, I feel stable and finishing it I almost start to cry again!
THIS IS NOT A SAD BOOK! WHY DOES IT MAKE ME WANT TO CRY!? The only thing I get is that I am Amanda Panda, I must relate to her, and 'get' her and I feel what she is feeling. I can't read this book ever again because I really can't sit at work and cry! (Note. Amanda Panda's favorite color is brown... and brown is not even close to the top of the list of favorite colors. )
THIS IS NOT A SAD BOOK! WHY DOES IT MAKE ME WANT TO CRY!? The only thing I get is that I am Amanda Panda, I must relate to her, and 'get' her and I feel what she is feeling. I can't read this book ever again because I really can't sit at work and cry! (Note. Amanda Panda's favorite color is brown... and brown is not even close to the top of the list of favorite colors. )
August 26, 2018
Amanda Panda Quits Kindergarten: It takes Amanda a little while to be a friend and exhibit kindness, but she does in the end.
Amanda Panda Quits Kindergarten is one of about 25 'kindergarten' books I'm reading before I buy one for my grand who starts kindergarten this year. While I enjoyed Amanda Panda Quits Kindergarten and will read it to my grand, it's not the kindergarten keepsake book I'm hoping to find.
Amanda Panda Quits Kindergarten is one of about 25 'kindergarten' books I'm reading before I buy one for my grand who starts kindergarten this year. While I enjoyed Amanda Panda Quits Kindergarten and will read it to my grand, it's not the kindergarten keepsake book I'm hoping to find.
April 19, 2019
Amanda has very detailed plans for kindergarten! When everything goes wrong she simply quits by following her brother to his second grade class after recess. Amanda soon realizes she doesn't belong there either. When a girl from her class comes to get her she is happy she now has a new friend.
This book, though sad at times has a nice message of friendship.
https://wellreadmama.com/kindergarten...
This book, though sad at times has a nice message of friendship.
https://wellreadmama.com/kindergarten...
September 11, 2017
Perfect for anxious new students, or older students wanting to relive their fears and worries about the first day of school.
Bright colors bring a cheery mood to even Amanda's negative idea about 'something very pink.'
I wonder: if Amanda's last name is Panda, and all the other characters are also pandas, what are their last names? The teachers got other names, but what about the students?
Bright colors bring a cheery mood to even Amanda's negative idea about 'something very pink.'
I wonder: if Amanda's last name is Panda, and all the other characters are also pandas, what are their last names? The teachers got other names, but what about the students?
December 17, 2021
I thought this was pretty cute for a children's book. It was a bit word-y, like other reviewers have said. It's geared to younger children who may be about to go to kindergarten and they may not want to sit still for the story. Amanda learns how to be a friend instead of being the center of attention. A good lesson to learn. I loved the illustrations and I think children will like this book.
June 18, 2023
A lighthearted book about an elementary school dropout? Oookaaaaeeeee.
That Amanda Panda is quite a piece of work, a winning combination of insensitivity and finickiness. (Winning, at least, if you care for this character. I do. Barely.)
By then end, there's certainly hope for her as a person. Oookaaaaeeeee.
That Amanda Panda is quite a piece of work, a winning combination of insensitivity and finickiness. (Winning, at least, if you care for this character. I do. Barely.)
By then end, there's certainly hope for her as a person. Oookaaaaeeeee.
June 1, 2017
Reality can sometimes crush expectations, but perspective matters. Add this to your "Growth Mindset" resources. Grove's illustrations of this panda-populated school are delightful. I hope we see more of Amanda Panda in the future.
June 3, 2017
Amanda Panda knows JUST how kindergarten should go on the first day but somehow things go wrong only to be saved by a new friend.
Christine Grove's round and colorful illustrations are adorably cute.
Christine Grove's round and colorful illustrations are adorably cute.
June 24, 2017
Clever story about Amanda's first day of kindergarten. Great to talk about expectations versus reality. Amanda decides to quit kindergarten as it isn't what she expected. She discovers that it may actually be better.
June 27, 2017
Sweet story about a panda who sets off for kindergarten with some high expectations, only to realize she might have to adjust a little bit to feel comfortable. Would be a great story for a child who is struggling with entering school.
September 7, 2017
I really wanted to like this book. I really enjoyed Amanda's gumption. I felt that the narrative lost continuity when she followed her brother. The teacher asked if she could help Amanda and on the next page, her friend was in the door way. I felt that the story skipped a beat there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2018
Cute little story with little panda girls. Amanda is cranky and not into making friends, but she comes around. I think the idea is accessible to young one no matter grade level: desire to fit in, making friends, new at school, wanting to impress etc.
December 29, 2018
My toddler loves this book. It’s fun to read aloud, and the illustrations are charming. I love how the illustrations help tell the story—there’s lots to talk about while reading. The writing itself is lovely, too. I love the details, like how Amanda’s shoes tap the floor in the kindergarten room.
December 7, 2020
Amanda Panda is excited to start kindergarten, but when another girl wearing a blinding amount of pink follows her around everywhere and Amanda can't seem to do anything right, she quits kindergarten and goes to her brother's class instead.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews