Publication Date: 5 October 2023

The Blurb

In a faraway forest a baby is lost and found, protected by a she-panda.

Nine years later another baby, the panda’s child, is in great danger, and only a boy and the spirit of the forest can save him.

The Review

A spellbinding tale that celebrates the invaluable connections we share with nature that serves as a gentle reminder of the beauty and harmony found in our world when we embrace and protect its wonders.

Jackie Morris’s lyrical prose beautifully portrays the serene and mysterious forest landscape, and the tumultuous emotions throughout the myth-like tale, both of which are captured perfectly in Cathy Fisher’s enchanting watercolour illustrations, which beg you to linger over them as the words settle.

Through the bond formed between a young boy and the spirit of the forest, the story beautifully emphasizes the importance of respecting and protecting our environment, nurturing a sense of responsibility toward our planet.

There is much to discuss beyond, from the way we treat our world, to the way we treat animals and other people, which makes this a fabulous read for empathy, worthy of a place in every school.

Huge thanks to Otter Barry Books for sending me a finished copy.