Susanna Leonard Hill has a feature on her blog called Perfect Picture Book Friday. It is a list of “perfect” picture books recommended by all sorts of people. I chose this book because I think everyone has a melt down now and again. 😉
Peter Panda Melts Down
by Artie Bennett
Illustrated by John Nez
2 – 5 years
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Blue Apple Books (February 11, 2014)
Theme/Topic- Temper Tantrums
Genre- Realistic Fiction
Opening and Synopsis-
Opening-
“Let’s meet the Pandas.
Here’s Peter. He’s three!
And Mama, who calls,
“Climb down from that tree!”
Peter Panda is a good little cub but he gets VERY upset when things don’t go his way, or if he looses something, or if he has to do something he doesn’t want to do, or if… well, you get the idea. Mama Panda is very patient, but even the best Mama’s sometimes have enough!
Why I liked this book – This is a very cute book that I think young kids will really enjoy. Peter Panda is very cute, and understandable. Mr. Bennett’s story really shows a toddler melt down very well! I think a lot of parents will relate to this book. I think the illustrator really captures the emotions on the Panda family. Just LOOK!
I also like the twist at the end of the story. I actually laughed out loud! I also like that Mama Panda throws a tantrum. That was hysterical. My mom told me that once I put her on time out when I was a toddler because she got frustrated and yelled. 😉
I think kids will love this book. Mr. Bennett has done it again, even though he left his normally scheduled train to write this book. He wrote the VERY awesome Butt Book and Poopendous (see my review HERE). I got to meet Mr. Bennett at a book signing I was at. It’s so nice when you meet an author and he turns out to be a really great guy. He also promised me that he will get back to the important stuff with a book about burps and farts that comes out in July. 😉
Activities and Resources –
PBS Kids has a whole section on how to talk to your kids about melt downs and gives good examples. Click HERE to read the article.
Education.com has tips to prevent melt downs in toddlers – click HERE.
KidsHealth.org has great advice on what to do during the tantrum – click HERE.
Visit Mr. Bennett’s site HERE!
Follow Mr. Bennett on Twitter HERE!
To find more Perfect Picture Books please visit Susanna Hill’s blog HERE!
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Categories: Age 1-5, Perfect Picture Book Friday
Oh, what fun! I wish I’d found this one when my kids were still in the tantrum stage. I wonder how they would have related to it.
You may have found yourself on a Time Out if you read this to them. 😉
Like Kirsten, I wish this book had been around when my kids were at that tantrum stage. They would have put me in time out for sure.
*Giggle* 😆
MORE great drawings 😀
🙂
Meltdowns in toddlers ~ ??? I just had one myself! I love these drawings ~ a lovely thing akin to what I am trying to do with rhyme in my book Anabel’s Tantrum. Parents need all the help they can get!
Your comment made me smile Dr. Clune. 🙂
Although my children never had meltdowns (guffaw, snort :)) I’m sure this is a very useful book 🙂 I too have met Mr. Bennett, and I’ve read his other 2 books, but hadn’t heard of this one, so thanks, Erik!
Mr. Bennett is awesome – when I met him, he was actually the one who stopped by and said ‘hi!’ He’s a very nice guy! 😀
ooooh….I am all too too familiar with toddler meltdowns these days….not from MY perfect grandblessings….(uh….maybe I need a book about telling the truth) any recommendations? This sounds like a fun read – and I love the illustrations you shared. Pandas are just fun to draw. We actually got to see the pandas at the Toledo zoo when they toured and one of them was awake and eating – which I guess is a special thing to see. The other was just sleeping in a ball of black and white fur.
I like pandas. And, grandchildren are always perfect! 😉
Ah – you will be a good grandparent when it’s your turn….but not too soon – you have lots of books to write and places to go and people to meet.
Thank you! 😀
What a cute story that kids will certainly identify with. Only you could put your mother in time out, Erik. Might be a fun story to write Erik, with a twist. And his upcoming book really looks fantastic. That will be fun!
Uhhh… Thanks? This is a great book, Mrs. Tilton! 🙂
Artie Bennett’s books are so funny! This one looks really cute. The new one I’m sure will be a hit, especially with young boys. Great review, SuperKid Erik!
Ummm… Just young boys, L.Lobo? 😉
I just think the word meltdown is so descriptive! Ha, love that you turned the tables on your mom!!
Well, I was a toddler… 🙂
” My mom told me that once I put her on time out when I was a toddler because she got frustrated and yelled. ” What a riot! Great review and I do like the illustrations. I know I have had my shares of meltdowns over the years.
~CM
What? YOU? But, you seem so… CALM… and COLLECTED… *mutters something*
Dare I read it and be reminded of the tantrums I have thrown? May just have to take the risk! Thanks, E!
As a kid, or as an adult? Because you’re too cool to yell as an adult! 😉
If ever I felt an adult ‘tantrum’ about to escape, I ranfor the bathroom, bedroom or garden. The emotions are still there, it’s how we deal with them that changes as we mature.
Well, yes. Good point. But sometimes it IS needed to yell (especially if you wanted to talk to my Great-Grandpa). 🙂
Ha! I can also whistle loudly, and that has helped ‘gather’ wandered-off children.
Lucky you! I can’t whistle (I tried to learn when I didn’t have my front teeth because Josie could whistle). 😉
It took weeks, the summer before the 8th grade, to learn with my thumb and pointer – formed as you would make an ‘ok’. Get someone to show you – it’s worth it!
I’ll try! 😀
Good, I’ll be checking in!
*thhhhhhht* *thhhhhhhht* 😉
Oh my, what a great story. Love that you put your Mum in timeout! Mr Bennett’s up coming book looks a riot too. Thanks Erik!
Get ready to get blown away! Literally. 😉
You put your mom in timeout??? GAH! Why didn’t I think of that?
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Oh nooooo… WHAT HAVE I DONE?!!!!!? 😉
Love Panda-monium!
So do I! 🙂
Boy! I’ve seen my share of meltdowns! Sometimes I get myself outta there in a hurry. Sometimes I charge on in to help diffuse the situation. I’ve sat with many a young one through time-out. I need this book! Panda Meltdown sounds greaaaat!
Woo-hoo! Here she comes! Here comes that dog! Rhythm helps OUTTTTTT! 😉
That’s my job! 😀
Yes it is! 😀
A book including meltdowns … sounds like something oddly familiar in our house. 🙂 We’ll see if we can find this. Thanks for all the resources.
I think you’d like it! 🙂
Looks like a great book! That’s funny you put your mom in time-out! (when you were little)
Yes. When I was little. I don’t do that anymore. (for reasons that include it backfiring on me…) 😉
Thanks for the great recommendation! Adding this to my list!
I think you would like it! 🙂
Thank you, Erik, so much for giving Peter Panda a platform to melt down upon–and thank you, everyone, for the kind and very funny comments!
You’ll be hearing from me again when “Belches, Burps, and Farts–Oh My!” disgorges in July.
This looks neat and quirky and I like the illustrations! Great review, Erik
Thanks, Sam! 😀
Thank you for taking the time to comment, Mr. Bennett! 😀 I can’t wait to read BB&F! 😉
This book looks so cute and I love pandas. (Who doesn’t?)
Pandas rule. 🙂
This sounds like a great book for kids and parents! I have some friends who have kids in the tantrum stage and will be letting them know about this one. Thanks for sharing!
I think they would be glad to have this book! 😉
yup! i’m facing tantrums all day. and writing kiddie stories here is my only respite. do have a look. a few good rods from you about our site would mean a lot to us.
http://kiddiestory365.com/
Thank you Ms. Bose! I believe I had emailed you, but I will do it again, if I didn’t. 🙂
We love Artie Bennett in GatheringBooks. We received a review copy of The Butt Book, which we simply adored. This one looks like such a fun read too.
Mr. Bennett is a GREAT guy – funny too! 😀