The Panda-Badger

About this book

Pablo lives in a beautiful world of forests, lakes and mountains, along with pandas and badgers. The pandas speak Pandu, and the badgers speak Badgeroon; the pandas eat bamboo, and the badgers eat nuts and berries. Yet, Pablo is a Panda-Badger; different from both communities, he can belong with both pandas and badgers, and yet feel separate from them both.  

One day, the animals see a mysterious golden glow coming from a nearby island. When Pablo investigates, he finds a beautiful golden box that he brings back to show everyone. When they open it, a beautiful song emerges, prompting the pandas and badgers to dance together, prompting a new era of togetherness between the two groups.   

Cajee and Schmida’s lovely picture book about bringing different communities together is a thoughtful and sensitive story that might well appeal to dual heritage children in particular or those with more than one family culture. The book could also be read with an inclusive message regarding gender and identity more generally. Schmida’s illustration feels magical and reminiscent of Disney in style, lending the book a cinematic feel.