Pandamonium!

In Bailey and Wong’s boisterous picture book, it’s absolute “pandamonium” when a gathering of giant and red pandas attempt to snap a group pic at an annual reunion. Bouncy rhymes establish a high-energy tone: “Ties and hair bows all precise.// Hurry! While we still look nice!” Once the crew get into position, further chaos ensues as “Pandas start to fiddle, giggle,/ can’t sit still, they’ve got to wiggle!” Multiple pose attempts yield less than ideal shots involving poking, nose-picking, and “Panda bum?!” After the camera is set aside, the “roly-poly” ensemble let loose, culminating in a “panda pile”—and, at last, an impromptu but successful selfie. Candy-colored digital cartoons convey the pandas’ antics with expressive humor across this congenial and realistic snapshot of a kid-filled family gathering. Panda trivia concludes. Ages 2–5. (June)