Synopsis
Three Pandas Yip, Yap, and Yep are three pandas. One day they decide to leave the forest and see the world. "There are apples and berries and eggs to eat," says Yep. "There are cities and things to do," says Yap. So the pandas take a train to the city. There, they ride a bicycle in the circus and play music in the street. But when the snows come, the city begins to lose its allure for three cold pandas. And when they become separated by the crowd, they long for the safety of their bamboo forest. By turns, funny and poignant, Jan Wahl's tale of pandas who long to see the world is exquisitely illustrated by Naava.
Children's Literature
Yip, Yap and Yep are three pandas living in a big bamboo forest. They spend their days gathering and preparing bamboo, but yearn for more exciting activities. One day they decide to venture into the city. There the three bears find plenty of new adventures as they play their flutes on the corners, climb telephone poles and even perform in the circus. City life seems enchanting! But when the snow begins to fall and the bears shiver in the cold, Yip, Yap and Yep begin to long for their bamboo forest once more. Hiding in a truck bound for the country, the three pandas make their way home where they contentedly return to gathering bamboo. This classic tale of the search for adventure has the added twist of three loveable pandas and the beauty of Chinese culture. Naava's bright illustrations bring the bears to life while Wahl's simple text weave both folklore and adventure together into a heartwarming story. 2000, Caroline House/Boyds Mill Press, Ages 3 to 7, $15.95. Reviewer: Leah Hanson