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Mrs. Harkness and the Panda

Author Alicia Potter
Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Ebook
RH Childrens Books | Knopf Books for Young Readers
On sale Mar 13, 2012 | 40 Pages | 9780375984686
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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
Alicia Potter View titles by Alicia Potter
Melissa Sweet is a celebrated author and illustrator. She has written and illustrated many award-winning children's books, including Balloons Over Broadway and Some Writer! The Story of E. B. White, and is a three-time recipient of the New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book, as well as a two-time Caldecott Honoree. She is an avid birder and Maine Master Naturalist, and lives in Portland, Maine.

Please visit her at MelissaSweet.net. View titles by Melissa Sweet

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

Author

Alicia Potter View titles by Alicia Potter
Melissa Sweet is a celebrated author and illustrator. She has written and illustrated many award-winning children's books, including Balloons Over Broadway and Some Writer! The Story of E. B. White, and is a three-time recipient of the New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book, as well as a two-time Caldecott Honoree. She is an avid birder and Maine Master Naturalist, and lives in Portland, Maine.

Please visit her at MelissaSweet.net. View titles by Melissa Sweet

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