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Magrs' Parodies
The Panda, the Cat and the Dreadful Teddy: A Parody
The surely soon-to-be million-copy bestselling sort-of inspirational parody...
Enter the world of me, Panda, plus my sometime-friends Cat and Teddy. You will find us living our best lives, trying (and occasionally succeeding) to be kind to each other. The cat is quite nice but can be a little bit selfish. Teddy can come across as very nice, with his squeaky voice and looking so tiny and helpless. But I must warn you, Teddy can be a vicious little backstabber, actually.
This is a book of nice illustrations and some words from which you will likely gain some sort of inspiration. Like:
‘Just because you’re struggling, it doesn’t mean you’re failing… But it might do.’
‘Nothing beats kindness,’ said the cat. ‘Gin does’, said Panda.
‘If you don’t stop saying inspirational things to me, I’m going to punch you up the hooter.’
‘You OK, hun?’ asked Panda, but he was just taking the piss.
‘We’re just so, so lucky to have each other as friends, and it’s going to make a marvellous book.’
Enter the world of me, Panda, plus my sometime-friends Cat and Teddy. You will find us living our best lives, trying (and occasionally succeeding) to be kind to each other. The cat is quite nice but can be a little bit selfish. Teddy can come across as very nice, with his squeaky voice and looking so tiny and helpless. But I must warn you, Teddy can be a vicious little backstabber, actually.
This is a book of nice illustrations and some words from which you will likely gain some sort of inspiration. Like:
‘Just because you’re struggling, it doesn’t mean you’re failing… But it might do.’
‘Nothing beats kindness,’ said the cat. ‘Gin does’, said Panda.
‘If you don’t stop saying inspirational things to me, I’m going to punch you up the hooter.’
‘You OK, hun?’ asked Panda, but he was just taking the piss.
‘We’re just so, so lucky to have each other as friends, and it’s going to make a marvellous book.’
144 pages, Hardcover
First published September 30, 2021
13 people are currently reading
494 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
June 2, 2022
Most of you would have heard of Charlie Mackesy’s beautiful book, “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse”. This is a parody version of the same.
The three titular characters are the ones interacting in this book. Panda is the fun fellow. Cat is supposed to be nice but is a little self-centred, as are most cats. Teddy considers himself the bee’s knees and is not a good friend to the other two. They are all “friends”, just not the nice sorts.
The friends in Charles Mackesy’s book teach each other kindness, support, the value of being there and being in the moment. Here, you get almost the opposite: think only about yourself, be rude to others, and get the maximum from your friends.
If you hold the books side by side, you will realise how much this one has been “inspired” from the original. The cover design is the same (though this book is smaller.) The original had a boy and three animals. This one knocks off the human and has three separate animals. The illustrations attempt to be similar, but Mackesy’s artwork is much better. Even the font style is very similar to Mackesy’s handwriting, but again, I preferred the Mackesy version. On a few pages, the font in the book resembles scribbles.
I know this is supposed to be a parody version, so the low star rating is not because of the extent of similarity between the two books; a parody is supposed to be like that. The poor rating is because a parody is supposed to be funny and I didn’t find this funny at all. I barely cracked a smile, forget about laughing.
Note: This is strictly not for kids as there are too many cuss words.
Some examples of the kind of humour in the book: (TBH, these are the only three lines I actually found a tad funny. The rest were atrocious.)
If this works for you, do try. It wasn’t my cup of tea and the book felt more annoying than amusing. I’d rather reread the Charlie Mackesy book.
2 stars.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
The three titular characters are the ones interacting in this book. Panda is the fun fellow. Cat is supposed to be nice but is a little self-centred, as are most cats. Teddy considers himself the bee’s knees and is not a good friend to the other two. They are all “friends”, just not the nice sorts.
The friends in Charles Mackesy’s book teach each other kindness, support, the value of being there and being in the moment. Here, you get almost the opposite: think only about yourself, be rude to others, and get the maximum from your friends.
If you hold the books side by side, you will realise how much this one has been “inspired” from the original. The cover design is the same (though this book is smaller.) The original had a boy and three animals. This one knocks off the human and has three separate animals. The illustrations attempt to be similar, but Mackesy’s artwork is much better. Even the font style is very similar to Mackesy’s handwriting, but again, I preferred the Mackesy version. On a few pages, the font in the book resembles scribbles.
I know this is supposed to be a parody version, so the low star rating is not because of the extent of similarity between the two books; a parody is supposed to be like that. The poor rating is because a parody is supposed to be funny and I didn’t find this funny at all. I barely cracked a smile, forget about laughing.
Note: This is strictly not for kids as there are too many cuss words.
Some examples of the kind of humour in the book: (TBH, these are the only three lines I actually found a tad funny. The rest were atrocious.)
👉 "If you don't blow your own trumpet, no other fucker will."
👉 "Art is for everyone, unless you are completely shit at it."
👉 "Sometimes it feels like your friends are a long way away, and that can be a relief, frankly."
If this works for you, do try. It wasn’t my cup of tea and the book felt more annoying than amusing. I’d rather reread the Charlie Mackesy book.
2 stars.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
October 19, 2021
If the The Boy, the Mole, the fox and the Horse is the high achiever young son, then this the slacker unemployed older son you can’t help but love.
Read
January 5, 2022A parody of The Boy, The Mole, The Fox & The Horse.
This is a short book. I read it in ten minutes or less.
It made me laugh out loud.
Great illustrations
This is a short book. I read it in ten minutes or less.
It made me laugh out loud.
Great illustrations
January 9, 2022
In which I am Panda every day of the week!
August 8, 2024
Hilarious and the exact opposite of TBTMTFTH 😆
December 31, 2021
This was a gift - Parody at its worst. I found this so dull, it’s all the same after 3 pages. I spent my time with eyebrows raised, wondering how in the world this book was published and who reads it with pleasure, it’s just so basic, no insight, repetitive, not funny (ever), like a junior school art project. It only took about 15 min to get through but I’d save my 15 min and not bother.
September 17, 2021
If you live in a house where you have stuffed animals with very distinct and vocal personalities, ranging the gamut from sarcastic to profane to inebriated, then this is the book you've been waiting all your life for. And hopefully the stuffed animals will be fans as well. Though I know my Dad's monkey Salbert would probably downgrade the book for having no mention of Kim Novak. Thankfully the book doesn't mention Joey Bishop or we'd have real problems. And yes, wherever Sal is he knows what time it is in Vegas. While everyone might not have someone in their life at this moment giving constant commentary, we've all had a stuffed friend like this at some point in our life. Paul has Panda. Some of us know him as Art Critic Panda, but I am sure he has a plethora of aliases. If you read this book without any context, even though I do love that Paul added a picture of the trio at the back of the book, you are in for an entertaining time. Panda is saying what we are often thinking about but at too decorous to say. Though I would occasionally like to let loose with a stream of profanity Panda-style. The art varies in quality, but sometimes just the simplest of lines captures Panda and his posture so perfectly with so little that I wish I could draw like that. In particular I'm thinking of him exercising and looking lovingly at a bottle of gin. Yes, Panda does love his gin. There were also times when I wished that the drawings had been organized thematically or had some overarching story, but then I remembered this is a parody. I realized I couldn't properly critique this book without first reading The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. I remember when this book came out and it was everywhere. There were large drifts of it in Barnes and Noble because if I recall correctly they made it their book of the year. Well, that book does have some amazing drawings, in a wide range of styles, and occasionally there is something profound said, but for me it was too saccharine. My teeth hurt after reading it. It was too goody goody trying to be something more and occasionally ending up sounding like your friends in college when they got high and thought they'd discovered the answers to life. But reading that book made me appreciate Paul's book so much more. He got the artistic shifts, the lack of structure, everything down pat, but with a wonderfully cynical edge, which is totally my wheelhouse. So yes, you can read this book in a vacuum, but I'd say read the book after doing your homework, you will enjoy it so much more!
December 19, 2021
I'm not sure how this is supposed to be a parody of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse because it doesn't follow a narrative or use the same format like The Woman, the Mink, the Cod and the Donkey does. The only similarity here is the font type.
Even as a book on its own, I didn't like it that much. It tries too hard to be funny, self-deprecating and relatable through the main character 'Panda', who is simply an arsehole and mean to Teddy for no reason. Yes, I love gin and reading too but 🤷
However, I did enjoy the illustrations and colours here, which I think are better than the original.
Even as a book on its own, I didn't like it that much. It tries too hard to be funny, self-deprecating and relatable through the main character 'Panda', who is simply an arsehole and mean to Teddy for no reason. Yes, I love gin and reading too but 🤷
However, I did enjoy the illustrations and colours here, which I think are better than the original.
September 14, 2021
1.43 on Cawpile
I feel like the author tried way too hard with this book. He tried to make it something that it's not. The intention to be a parody on The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse failed miserably and instead it became a story filled with hate, fat shaming and a lot of foul language. No, this book doesn't do it for me or anyone I know.
I feel like the author tried way too hard with this book. He tried to make it something that it's not. The intention to be a parody on The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse failed miserably and instead it became a story filled with hate, fat shaming and a lot of foul language. No, this book doesn't do it for me or anyone I know.
December 29, 2022
Thank all the gods for this book. I received it as a gift, after having been gifted the book-that-this-is-a-parody-of multiple (!!! OMG!!! Why?!) times, and giving it away again immediately. I forgot its title, and can’t be bothered to look it up. A horse and some more animals. Even the title makes me angry. I hate that book so much. It is twee, insincere, pretentious nonsense, but people around me seem to gobble it up, and even put it on display (on a new page every day! Gahhhh!) in their home. It’s horrible, and represents exactly what goes wrong when you mix neoliberalism with (a total and painful misunderstanding of) spirituality. I hate it with a burning passion.
This book is the antidote, though. It is harsh, rude and unpretentious. It wants your money, and let’s you know upfront that you get absolutely nothing in return for it. It calls the other book out without any apologies, and dares to fight it on its own home turf. It’s delicious.
This book is the antidote, though. It is harsh, rude and unpretentious. It wants your money, and let’s you know upfront that you get absolutely nothing in return for it. It calls the other book out without any apologies, and dares to fight it on its own home turf. It’s delicious.
November 14, 2021
A timeless parody of Charlie Mackesy’s The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, this book The Panda, The Cat and the Dreadful Teddy by Paul Magrs is a riot of laughter.
Positivity, optimism and encouragement, if hammered into a brain on an hourly basis regularly may end up serving the exact opposite purpose at times. This entire concept has been presented in this book via illustrations and dialogues. Fake positivity has been put to ground here. 'Adults' who adult will be able to relate to the book because it talks about our underlying feelings and the actual reality via three characters, the panda, the cat and the teddy. Panda and cat are good friends and teddy is their friend whom they are jealous of for most parts. The content many a times was relatable to me and that gave me a reason to understand that it was okay to feel bummed, jealous and insecure at times. It's not necessary to be always pumped with energy and be exceptionally passionate about things. However, I did find the jokes repetitive in nature.
Most motivational books don't talk about this aspect and here in Paul Magrs has combined those things and weaved fun one page dialogues/jokes about it. The language of those dialogues does contain curses which may make the book not readable for every reader. Overall, I'll say the book will make you laugh if you don't mind the language used.
This title is supposed to be taken lightly and make you feel that it's okay to feel the negative range of emotions that you do. I loved the colour palette and the illustrations.💕
This book may not be or work for everyone.
Positivity, optimism and encouragement, if hammered into a brain on an hourly basis regularly may end up serving the exact opposite purpose at times. This entire concept has been presented in this book via illustrations and dialogues. Fake positivity has been put to ground here. 'Adults' who adult will be able to relate to the book because it talks about our underlying feelings and the actual reality via three characters, the panda, the cat and the teddy. Panda and cat are good friends and teddy is their friend whom they are jealous of for most parts. The content many a times was relatable to me and that gave me a reason to understand that it was okay to feel bummed, jealous and insecure at times. It's not necessary to be always pumped with energy and be exceptionally passionate about things. However, I did find the jokes repetitive in nature.
Most motivational books don't talk about this aspect and here in Paul Magrs has combined those things and weaved fun one page dialogues/jokes about it. The language of those dialogues does contain curses which may make the book not readable for every reader. Overall, I'll say the book will make you laugh if you don't mind the language used.
This title is supposed to be taken lightly and make you feel that it's okay to feel the negative range of emotions that you do. I loved the colour palette and the illustrations.💕
This book may not be or work for everyone.
September 18, 2021
If you like your books very sweary (I do!), hilariously funny (I do!) and snarky to the nth degree (yep!) then look no further!! This book has it all!
A parody of the extremely successful The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse ( which I adored!), this is the sarcastic version!! If you ever get sick of the sometimes patronising 'do your best', 'be kind' way of the world, then this is the book that gives you it straight! Sometimes you don't want to be nice! Or kind!! Just foul mouthed and left alone!! And this book does that brilliantly with the wonderful characters that inhabit the world of the author! I have a sweary teddy at home too!!
It's brilliantly illustrated, a quote on every page that had me in stitches and crying with laughter and I would love to have some of these 'inspirational' quotes on posters around the house! Or on T-shirts!! Bring on the merch!! Loved it!! Funniest book of 2021!!
A parody of the extremely successful The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse ( which I adored!), this is the sarcastic version!! If you ever get sick of the sometimes patronising 'do your best', 'be kind' way of the world, then this is the book that gives you it straight! Sometimes you don't want to be nice! Or kind!! Just foul mouthed and left alone!! And this book does that brilliantly with the wonderful characters that inhabit the world of the author! I have a sweary teddy at home too!!
It's brilliantly illustrated, a quote on every page that had me in stitches and crying with laughter and I would love to have some of these 'inspirational' quotes on posters around the house! Or on T-shirts!! Bring on the merch!! Loved it!! Funniest book of 2021!!
January 6, 2022
When life gets you down, you need one of two things: 1) The kind,caring words of The Boy, the Horse, the fox and the Mole (I think that’s the order!) or 2) the cheeky, laugh out loud words from The Panda, the Cat and the Dreadful Teddy!!!!
Seriously, this book was so funny! I read just the back of it to my husband (who’s not a reader) and he was so excited he asked to read it after me! See, there’s a book for everyone!!!!! Awesome artwork, awesome story and love the photo at the end of the real cat, teddy and panda!
Seriously, this book was so funny! I read just the back of it to my husband (who’s not a reader) and he was so excited he asked to read it after me! See, there’s a book for everyone!!!!! Awesome artwork, awesome story and love the photo at the end of the real cat, teddy and panda!
October 26, 2021
Real life stuff not 5 minute be nice culture 😂
September 13, 2021
Bringing the word "bell-end" back into the best-seller charts, this book is definitely and with full throttle taking the mickey out of some hippy-dippy-shitty self-help book concerning animals (whose name escapes me) - you know, the "Jonathan Livingstone Seagull" for people who can barely read. Here we have Panda, whose neckwear could only look more like a cock and balls if it had pubes growing out of it, loathing pretty much everything and everyone, especially the eternally 'up' Teddy and the gullible Cat (rhymes with...).
OK, so laughs were not too common here – the aforementioned swear-word (one of my favourite descriptives) and Panda's response to being a foundation to a kind of Musicians of Bremen-styled tower of hope. But the point is this really is a blunt object being used to object against a weak target. "Dream it. Do it. Wish it!", said Teddy. "F**k it," said Panda. It's not subtle, and I guess that's in response to the sheer tweeness of Whatever-it-is and the Horse. For yes, my memory returns through the fog of dark gift-book whimsicality.
Of course, Dooflidonk and the Pony might have a thousand shades of colour, and everything, in amongst its poor hand-made lettering and primary school art (as repeated on these pages). That said, its puff quotes are written by Miranda Bloody Hart and the author of "Eat, Pray, Love, Vomit". So I doubt it's a book for me. But if you love that kind of thing, you hate this kind of thing, and if you hate that kind of thing you're either barely aware of it, or smart enough to see this as very much a one-pass novelty. "Yup... m-hmm... yes... titter... yup..." ad infinitum is about the best reaction it will get, with the "is this it?!" coming any time long before the end.
This is very roughly-made, for a reason, but still could have had a semi-narrative placed upon it, with Teddy being successful and Cat seeming to change out of nowhere towards the end. If there is a Waterstone's chart for naff-throwaways-for-the-Xmas-season this will get close to topping it. But they're call naff throwaways for a reason.
OK, so laughs were not too common here – the aforementioned swear-word (one of my favourite descriptives) and Panda's response to being a foundation to a kind of Musicians of Bremen-styled tower of hope. But the point is this really is a blunt object being used to object against a weak target. "Dream it. Do it. Wish it!", said Teddy. "F**k it," said Panda. It's not subtle, and I guess that's in response to the sheer tweeness of Whatever-it-is and the Horse. For yes, my memory returns through the fog of dark gift-book whimsicality.
Of course, Dooflidonk and the Pony might have a thousand shades of colour, and everything, in amongst its poor hand-made lettering and primary school art (as repeated on these pages). That said, its puff quotes are written by Miranda Bloody Hart and the author of "Eat, Pray, Love, Vomit". So I doubt it's a book for me. But if you love that kind of thing, you hate this kind of thing, and if you hate that kind of thing you're either barely aware of it, or smart enough to see this as very much a one-pass novelty. "Yup... m-hmm... yes... titter... yup..." ad infinitum is about the best reaction it will get, with the "is this it?!" coming any time long before the end.
This is very roughly-made, for a reason, but still could have had a semi-narrative placed upon it, with Teddy being successful and Cat seeming to change out of nowhere towards the end. If there is a Waterstone's chart for naff-throwaways-for-the-Xmas-season this will get close to topping it. But they're call naff throwaways for a reason.
June 8, 2023
Read it. Loved it. Recommend it.
“I think the whole point of making books is to make the world a better place. I am here to lighten your load just a little bit. And so is the cat. The cat’s quite nice. He can be a bit selfish sometimes, I suppose.”
I’ve been having bad days. Like really bad ones. Bumping into this book, I’m considering a proper bliss. I smiled, laughed and loved. This book defines “Feels like a warm hug”. So many quotes I loved and would love to share with everyone but unable to. Might share a separate post of favourites. Such dreamlike artistic illustrations, I’ve been swooning over!
Looking forward to read the other books by the same author.
Update : I just got to know that this book is a parody of Charlie Mackesy’s The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. First, I had to search what parody in books is. And honestly, I thought this book is by the same author, that’s why the cover and book style and even the fonts looks similar. And it is supposed to be like that, but I can’t say if it’s better or not as I haven’t read The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. Now, gotta read it soon!
“I think the whole point of making books is to make the world a better place. I am here to lighten your load just a little bit. And so is the cat. The cat’s quite nice. He can be a bit selfish sometimes, I suppose.”
I’ve been having bad days. Like really bad ones. Bumping into this book, I’m considering a proper bliss. I smiled, laughed and loved. This book defines “Feels like a warm hug”. So many quotes I loved and would love to share with everyone but unable to. Might share a separate post of favourites. Such dreamlike artistic illustrations, I’ve been swooning over!
Looking forward to read the other books by the same author.
Update : I just got to know that this book is a parody of Charlie Mackesy’s The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. First, I had to search what parody in books is. And honestly, I thought this book is by the same author, that’s why the cover and book style and even the fonts looks similar. And it is supposed to be like that, but I can’t say if it’s better or not as I haven’t read The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. Now, gotta read it soon!
October 3, 2021
This book genuinely made me laugh out loud and want to re-read it as soon as I had finished! It is so refreshing to have a book that is funny and sweary but also warm and charming. The drawings are gorgeous and add to the humerous text brilliantly. This is perfect for anyone who is tired of sentimental memes and wants a good laugh. I love it and keep seeing something new each time I read it! Also check out Paul's other books - he is a brilliant author and has written multiple books. Be More Panda!
May 30, 2023
Badass and funny
July 20, 2022
Better than the original. Now fuck off.
October 5, 2021
Thank you to @tandemcollectiveuk @harpercollinsuk and @pmagrs for the gifted copy of 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒂, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝑻𝒆𝒅𝒅𝒚 🐼🧸😻 I absolutely loved it!
It's basically a parody of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse (which I also loved). Whereas that was full of inspiring and thought provoking writing, this book explores our reality. We can't be perfect all the time and sometimes we are like Panda and just don't give a shit.
I really enjoyed watching the live with Paul Magrs (on Instagram) because we got to see where the inspiration came from, what he wants readers to get from the book and even draw the characters live.
And today is release day! I'd definitely recommend grabbing yourself a copy! It will definitely make you laugh and leave a smile on your face and isn't that what we all need.
It's basically a parody of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse (which I also loved). Whereas that was full of inspiring and thought provoking writing, this book explores our reality. We can't be perfect all the time and sometimes we are like Panda and just don't give a shit.
I really enjoyed watching the live with Paul Magrs (on Instagram) because we got to see where the inspiration came from, what he wants readers to get from the book and even draw the characters live.
And today is release day! I'd definitely recommend grabbing yourself a copy! It will definitely make you laugh and leave a smile on your face and isn't that what we all need.
September 18, 2021
Panda and Cat are sick & tired of smug Teddy & his cheerful tripe and you will be too in this chucklesome novelty book that is going to be flying off the shelves this Christmas.
As a fan of the charming book that Magrs that is cheekily parodying, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this, but the fabulous illustration on the cover immediately drew me in. I was won over straight away with the contrast of the childish doodles and the grown up content that blended perfectly. It’s delightfully uncouth and I loved it.
Release your inner Malcolm Tucker with Panda!
I received a copy from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
As a fan of the charming book that Magrs that is cheekily parodying, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this, but the fabulous illustration on the cover immediately drew me in. I was won over straight away with the contrast of the childish doodles and the grown up content that blended perfectly. It’s delightfully uncouth and I loved it.
Release your inner Malcolm Tucker with Panda!
I received a copy from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
May 5, 2022
3.5*. Wat is dit boek, haha. In een opwelling gekocht na het bekijken van een paar bladzijdes. Een mooie tegenhanger van alle motiverende zelfhulpboeken, met een dikke knipoog geschreven. Meerdere keren hardop gelachen, nieuwe scheldwoorden geleerd en ontdekt dat mijn vriend Panda is. Wel medelijden met de lieve Teddy.
October 4, 2021
Cute and funny in places but also quite confusing sometimes. I can't tell if there is supposed to be a thread to follow and it is difficult to read some of the writing.
However, Panda really does have the wisest words... "Surely it's gin time?"
However, Panda really does have the wisest words... "Surely it's gin time?"
December 27, 2021
Not one to leave around for the kids to pick up, but very funny. Disturbing too, as I know someone just like panda!
December 31, 2021
Wonderful I learnt some new swear words.😀
March 16, 2022
Pretty damn funny.
Not for those with a soft spot for dreadful fictional teddy-bears.
Not for those with a soft spot for dreadful fictional teddy-bears.
August 10, 2022
i knew i loved pandas
March 9, 2022
If you need a laughing pick me up and aren’t bothered about swearing, then this is the book for you. A parody on some of the feel good books you can find in the market - this one has moments that make you feel the author has pulled the remarks out of your head! A great laugh and definitely not to be taken seriously!
August 6, 2023
At the beginning I was lil bit confused. but after getting the things of this book, I love it. It makes me laugh quite a few times. Have learned some swears from panda. 🤣 Even though the panda is lil bit mean but I really really love their friendship ( panda, cat and teddy).
November 4, 2021
Quite funny to start with but not worth 6.99 for the Kindle - not even as a joke present.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews