Please, Mr. Panda
By Steve Antony
The Story
A polite panda offers doughnuts to animal after animal, but penguin, skunk, and whale all forget their manners — so who, if anyone, actually gets one?
Why It's Special
For the family mid-battle over please and thank you, Mr. Panda makes the lesson land without a single lecture.
- Big idea: Manners matter — and good things come to those who remember to ask nicely.
- Vibes: Deadpan, droll, and quietly funny, with a twist that rewards paying attention.
Perfect For Kids Who
- are working on remembering please and thank you
- enjoy repetition they can predict and join in on
- love spotting the same joke build across pages
- respond well to bold, graphic illustrations with pops of color
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: Why do you think Mr. Panda keeps asking different animals if they want a doughnut?
- Real-life connection: Can you remember to say please and thank you like Mr. Panda wants the animals to?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Mr. Panda feels when the penguin, skunk, and whale forget their manners?
- Imagination: If Mr. Panda offered you a doughnut, what would you say?
- Story & problem-solving: Who do you think finally remembers to say please?
