The Pandas and Their Chopsticks: And Other Animal Stories

K-GR 3—Each of these Fables (nine are about animals and one about a river flowing into the ocean) Includes A Moral Or Proverb Worthy Of Discussion. Six Of The Selections Were Previously Published In A Chinese Zoo (Harcourt, 1987), two in Demi's Reflective Fables (Grosset & Dunlap, 1988) and one in The Dragon's Tale (Holt, 1996). Vocabulary has been updated, animals switched, and the lessons revised, but overall the stories are very similar. Demi's signature motifs are used generously, often in the faint patterns filling many of the mainly pastel backgrounds. Borders around the illustrated pages are filled with gesturing, parading, and cavorting animals from the particular tale. An author's note is missing here, but A Chinese Zoo credits ancient Chinese sources going back to the Indian Jataka Tales. Libraries missing Demi's earlier works or in need of replacements for worn copies may find this a worthy addition.—Carol S. Surges, formerly at Longfellow Middle School, Wauwatosa, WI