Mrs. Harkness and the Panda

Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
$5.99 US
RH Childrens Books | Knopf Books for Young Readers
On sale Mar 13, 2012 | 9780375984686
Age 5-8 years
Sales rights: US, Canada, Open Mkt
In 1934, Ruth Harkness had never seen a panda bear.  Not many people in the world had.

But soon the young Mrs. Harkness would inherit an expedition from her explorer husband: the hunt for a panda.  She knew that bringing back a panda would be hard. Impossible, even.  But she intended to try.

So she went to China, where she found a guide, built traps, gathered supplies, and had explorers' clothes made—unheard of for a woman in those days.  Then she set out up the Yangtze River and into the wilderness.  What she discovered would awe America: an adorable baby panda she named Su Lin, which means "a little bit of something very cute."

With breathtaking illustrations from Caldecott Honor artist Melissa Sweet, this little-known true story shares the tale of an adventurous woman who was bold and brave—and the unforgettable journey that helped shape American attitudes toward wildlife.
  • NOMINEE
    ALA Notable Children's Book
  • NOMINEE
    NCSS-CBC Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies
  • FINALIST
    Cybils
  • SELECTION | 2015
    Missouri Show Me Reader Award
  • NOMINEE | 2013
    Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award
  • SELECTION | 2013
    NCSS-CBC Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies

Starred Review, Booklist, February 15, 2012:
“An engaging, graceful narrative…. Sweet’s Asian style watercolor landscapes are breathtakingly beautiful.”

Starred Review, School Library Journal, February 1, 2012:
“This little gem will be perfect for one-on-one sharing and for those second-grade biography assignments. It’s simply stunning.”

About

In 1934, Ruth Harkness had never seen a panda bear.  Not many people in the world had.

But soon the young Mrs. Harkness would inherit an expedition from her explorer husband: the hunt for a panda.  She knew that bringing back a panda would be hard. Impossible, even.  But she intended to try.

So she went to China, where she found a guide, built traps, gathered supplies, and had explorers' clothes made—unheard of for a woman in those days.  Then she set out up the Yangtze River and into the wilderness.  What she discovered would awe America: an adorable baby panda she named Su Lin, which means "a little bit of something very cute."

With breathtaking illustrations from Caldecott Honor artist Melissa Sweet, this little-known true story shares the tale of an adventurous woman who was bold and brave—and the unforgettable journey that helped shape American attitudes toward wildlife.

Awards

  • NOMINEE
    ALA Notable Children's Book
  • NOMINEE
    NCSS-CBC Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies
  • FINALIST
    Cybils
  • SELECTION | 2015
    Missouri Show Me Reader Award
  • NOMINEE | 2013
    Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award
  • SELECTION | 2013
    NCSS-CBC Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies

Praise

Starred Review, Booklist, February 15, 2012:
“An engaging, graceful narrative…. Sweet’s Asian style watercolor landscapes are breathtakingly beautiful.”

Starred Review, School Library Journal, February 1, 2012:
“This little gem will be perfect for one-on-one sharing and for those second-grade biography assignments. It’s simply stunning.”