Description

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Xander Panda wants to throw a party, but a panda party would have only one guest—himself. So, he decides to invite all the bears. But Koala protests. She’s not a bear—she's a marsupial! Does that mean she can’t come? Xander rethinks his decision to invite only bears, and “Calling all bears” evolves into “Calling all creatures.” The Newbery Medal author Linda Sue Park introduces animal taxonomy in a wonderfully engaging way, and the celebrated artist Matt Phelan’s charming ink and watercolor paintings are the icing on the cake.     

About the Author

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Linda Sue Park, Newbery Medal winner for A Single Shard and #1 New York Times bestseller for A Long Walk to Water, is the renowned author of many books for young readers, including picture books, poetry, and historical and contemporary fiction. Born in Illinois, Ms. Park has also lived in California, England, and Ireland. She now lives in Western New York. Learn more at lindasuepark.com.

Matt Phelan's many books include the popular picture book Very Hairy Bear by Alice Schertle and the innovative graphic novel The Storm in the Barn, winner of the Scott O'Dell Award. He lives in Philadelphia. Visit him online at mattphelan.com.  

Praise For…

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"Phelan takes Park's jaunty story about a panda with a complicated social life and develops it still further. . . . There's food for thought throughout."
—Publishers Weekly, starred review

"The upbeat, mostly rhyming text provides a surprising amount of information about animal families and species without tripping up the pace. . . . Perfect for young animal lovers and a great read-aloud for storytime."
—School Library Journal, starred review

"Liberal use of internal rhyme. . . makes Park's text sing as it relates how Xander tackles each new challenge."
—The Horn Book Magazine, starred review

"Phelan's ink and watercolor compositions offer the perfect counterpoint to the tightly wrought verses, with playfulness inherent in the fluid inky outlines encasing broadly applied brushstrokes."
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review

"Newbery Medalist Park's playful rhyming text introduces young kids to different species of animals. . . Share this story about the importance of inclusion with birthday kids and those fond of a trip to the zoo."
—Booklist

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