I love when I get to discover a new series for young readers! As a kindergarten teacher I am very familiar with new and treasured picture books. But when it comes to easy chapter books my expertise is much less. That's part of why I was so excited to discover The Adventures of Penguin and Panda! Two unlikely friends are always a hit with kids and this book was no exception. The book was split up into four short chapters, with each chapter representing a different mini story. Penguin and Panda were giving me Piggie and Gerald vibes, but in a slightly more grown up way. The two characters complement each other in positive ways. Penguin tends to worry more about things and Panda tends to be more relaxed and flexible. Even though they have different personalities they enjoy their adventures together having a picnic, playing hide and seek, taking an art class, and a party.

The format of the book was comic/graphic novelesque and would likely be a pretty quick read full of laughs for any young reader!

I'm excited to check out more of the books in the series and add them to my early chapter books bin in my classroom library for my students who are ready to tackle something a bit more challenging!

Penguin and Panda is a precious graphic novel about besties - Penguin and Panda. Though they are opposites, their friendship works beautifully. The stories exhibit kindness, patience, support, and understanding to the reader. This book is a wonderful transitional book between picture books and those with more text.

This was a very cute and funny book. Characters were big hits with my little ones; they both asked for more stories starring these two.

A graphic novel featuring a penguin and panda as friends? Yes, please. This contains a few different stories detailing the adventures of these two, along with little facts and tidbits here and there. It's absolutely adorable and the art style is colorful and fun. I thought the addition of guides on how to draw both characters was a nice touch as well.

A big thanks to NetGalley and Marble Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

An adorable graphic novel.

Surprise! by Brenda Maier and Fanni Mézes is a graphic novel about an adorable penguin and panda. Penguin and Panda should not be friends. The very idea is absurd. Penguin likes to build things and Panda likes to nap. Panda munches bamboo and Penguin gobbles cheese puffs and jam-banana sandwiches. Penguin never powers down and Panda has a hard time powering up. There is no way their friendship would ever work. Except somehow, it does.Penguin and Panda demonstrate kindness, understanding, and support for each other, showcasing the positive aspects of companionship. The books are infused with humor, often through Penguin's whimsical outlook on life and Panda's more pragmatic responses.

Just too adorable.

cute GN about fun and friendship. Loved the illustrations. Elementary students will enjoy the adventures of Panda and Penguin. I liked the facts included at the back of the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own

I am penguin! I love this graffic novel, and I will be buying it for my niece for her birthday. Very entertaining

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was adorable! The page of jokes was the best part, there were so many giggles from that page alone. This is a definite hit with my child and will be a great read for kids.

Such a fun new series for early readers and fans of Narwhal and Jelly! My daughters absolutely devoured both books and are begging for more! The illustrations are the sweetest too!

This is a cute kids book about two friends that go on different adventures with each other. It's so cute as we see two animals from different parts of the world being the best of friends and get to see how much each other means to each other. The art really brings it to life as well. This is definitely a good book for young children.

Penguin Panda Surprise is a delightful graphic novel authored by Brenda Maier that has captured the hearts of children aged between six to ten years. This book revolves around the lovable panda and penguin characters that are relatable and cute, making them a hit among young readers. The story's engaging plot and colorful illustrations make it a perfect addition to any home or classroom library. Children will be delighted by the charming adventures of the panda and the penguin, making it an ideal gift for kids who love stories with engaging characters and beautiful artwork. Overall, Penguin Panda Surprise is a must-read for anyone looking for a fun and enjoyable book that will inspire kids to read and explore their imaginations.

Simple and innocent stories of two best friends, Penguin and Panda. Split into four different stories, each stories depicts the positive factors of life, that being different is ok, that things are not what they seem at first glance, and overall a very wholesome book about friendship and life. Ebook from NetGallery was 38 pages, so I would recommend this book to readers who are first learning how to read, perhaps kindergarten/first graders. The dialogues are easy to understand and simple, with hidden meanings inside if you think deeper in the words; good for children’s growth development.

Thank you to NetGallery for letting me read this book in advance!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Surprise! This was a really cute story about 2 unconventional friends. This is a good book for newer readers transitioning from picture books to juvenile chapter books.

I think this is a cute series of books about a sweet friendship between a penguin and a panda. The story was quite difficult to follow at times, as though words are missing, making it very difficult to fully follow the story. Hopefully this will be fixed at printing. My son read this and was a bit confused but overall enjoyed the story.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I received an electronic ARC from Marble Press through NetGalley.
Readers meet Penguin and Panda and get to be a third friend enjoying adventures together. The artwork is cleverly simple looking for younger readers. A lower elementary level chapter book that readers will love. The humor is obvious as is the friendship between the two characters. They each take turns doing something special for the other as the chapters unfold. Can't wait to share this with our students.

This is in the same vein as Narwhal and Jelly...a sweet, simple book about two friends who are very different, but realize that they can still be GREAT friends! A great lesson that we don't have to have the exact same likes and dislikes as other people to be able to get along. Since graphic novels are becoming so popular, I'm always on the hunt for sweet, wholesome options to add to our library - this will definitely be joining the ranks in our beginner reader section!

This is a great graphic novel for early Elementary ages. It's also a good fit for readers making the transition from picture books to chapter books.

The story is fun and easy to follow. Who wouldn't love stories about a penguin and a panda who are friends? Great adventures and great illustrations, too!

*Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for honest review.*

This graphic novel is designed for early elementary readers, and it's really cute. Penguin and Panda are best friends, even though they don't have much in common, and they have fun adventures together. The illustrations are charming and colorful, and the stories made me chuckle. There are also some facts and jokes shared on bonus pages. This book is very similar in style and tone to the Narwhal and Jelly books by Ben Clanton, and it will appeal to readers who liked that series.

My one critique is that the dialogue is sometimes a little bit stilted. There's some great, humorous exchanges throughout the book, and the dialogue is frequently quite funny, but when the characters are expressing their feelings or working through conflict, the dialogue sounds more like Social and Emotional Modeling than an actual conversation.

This book includes multiple short stories, and the episodic nature can make it especially appealing for young readers, since they can feel a sense of accomplishment as they finish each chapter. This book can also appeal to older kids and to adults, because it's so charming, wholesome, and funny.

It is a fun and wholesome graphic novel about Penguin and Panda, two best friends who embark on adventures together. A fantastic graphic novel for young readers. During our reading session with my four-year-old, she enjoyed reading about Penguin and Panda. I look forward to reading more.

I don't know how people could not love Panda and Penguin, best friends. They spend so much time together, even though they don't have much in common, and learn how to make each other happy. These stories are delightful and heartwarming. Young readers will find the books easy to navigate, and this would also be a terrific read along.
Thanks so much to NetGalley for letting me read this