I just couldn’t resist this superadorable book when I spied it on Netgalley! A book about red pandas? About pandas? And also about a red panda who just wants a book about themselves! Cute!

Which is really the point of the book. I learned lots of things about Red Pandas that I did not know which reinforced the fact that we need inclusive books. Books that tell us all about every type of person. And that reflect different people - not just one sort. So the book teaches a valuable lesson on the importance of being able to find books where you can see yourself - and learn about other people, also. And it does it in a fun and educational way. I promise you will learn new things about red pandas! And gain a bit of empathy along the way. I was so proud of Red and how she kept going and I loved that Gee was there to motivate her and be emotional support. So sweet! So Red sets out to write her own book, where she and other red pandas can see themselves. It is hard and frustrating and it doesn't seem good enough. But when others discover her abandoned manuscript, they clamor for it to be finished. Maybe the world is ready for red panda representation after all. My little girl loves Red Pandas so this was always going to capture her interest. It's a steady read that charts Tilly's Red Panda mission when she wins the chance to go on an expedition in Nepal to find Red Pandas – finally some adventure in her life! I loved the way she charts her objectives along the way and the obstacles that might stop her achieving them - it's a great way for kids to see solution focused thinking in action. There's highs and lows on the mission and lots to learn too. My daughter said 'she thought it was great and loved the Red Pandas' and we've been finding out more about them since. Red and Gee are pals and enjoy doing panda things together, but when they read a book about pandas they make a terrible discovery. There are no red pandas in the book!That is until she wins a school competition and finds herself heading to Nepal on the adventure of a lifetime to observe red pandas. Along with two other children, Leo and Anita, Tilly will be helping conservationists and will get to do all sorts of exciting things. But when one red panda can not be found will Tilly’s dream adventure turn into a nightmare… In this book we meet two friends, Red and Gee. Red is a Red Panda (no surprise there) and Gee is a Giant Panda! They are the best of friends and are both eager to dive into a book about pandas. But what is this??? There is ZERO mention of red pandas???? Of course Red takes offense (which I found at first a bit over the top until we saw that the world was very much based on being a Giant Panda and then I could very much understand) and decides to write her own book about Red Pandas! I love her dedication and I also liked that she didn’t just BOOM wrote a book and done, no we see that she is trying her best to make it as good as possible and goes through some bumps along the way (one that includes if anyone would be interested). What I found most appealing about this book was its environmental lessons - there's a real place for stories that explore our responsibility to our planet. The animal care and Tilly's wish to continue this work after the mission is lovely and inspired us too. When eight-year-old Tilly wins the Adventure Club competition at her new school, she’s thrilled to be travelling to Nepal! She and the other Adventure Club winners, Leo and Anita, will learn how to protect red pandas in their natural habitat.

A great story with cute little drawing to accompany it. It tells the story of Tilly who's gone on a visit to Nipel on a school trip to volunteer and help at a Red Panda Rescue centre. She learnt how to find the pandas, replant bamboo, look put for poacher traps and much more. From Jess Butterworth comes a lovely new series that is perfect reading for all little adventurers, budding conservationists and animal lovers. The illustrations capture all of Red's many moods and Gee's friendly support. Everyone needs a pal who will take them out for bamboo bubble tea when they are having a bad day. And if you can also find a friend to illustrate your book for you, bonus! But with poachers also on the hunt for Iniya, a red panda about to have cubs, it soon becomes a race against time to find her first.This is a delightful chapter book with all the ingredients for a fun read for children 7+. Animals, friendship, adventures in far away places and a little uncertainty too. The diary style and the visual playfulness of the text is a real draw, with lots of pictures and an authentic feeling child voice. Only thing that made me laugh and got me questioning was one of their planes they travelled on was powered by leaves....is this possible? If so thats very cool. And the ending was just wonderful, it made me very happy to see that Red managed to change their world and make it more inclusive.