Learning about Pandas -- Book review, fun facts, & Craft Round-Up

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

This week we have been focusing on the ocean, but today we are going to move out of the water and into the trees with a look at pandas! Today we will be sharing a National Geographic Kids book, fun facts from the book, and a panda craft round-up. The book is Go Wild! Pandas by Margie Markarian. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

From the Publisher:

Welcome to the wild world of pandas! In this intro to the species, youngsters discover where on Earth this bear lives, what it eats, how big it grows, and how it communicates. Cool photos of adorable panda cubs and panda relatives bring the creatures into full focus. After learning the basics, young readers will discover why pandas need our help and what people around the world are doing to help save them. Filled with fun facts, games, and an activity focused on making a difference in the panda's world, Go Wild! will inspire kids to care about this adorable animal.

Fun Facts about Pandas:

1. Panda moms carry their cubs in their mouths.
2. Giant panda moms are 900 times bigger than newborn cubs.
3. Panda cubs born at a zoo or reserve are not named for 100 days to keep with a Chinese tradition. 
4. Pandas are excellent swimmers.
5. Panda poop has so much fiber in it that it can be made into paper.
6. Pandas are solitary animals.
7. Newborn cubs weigh less than one pound and only five to seven inches long. A full grown panda weighs 200 to 300 pounds and measures four to six feet in length.
8. Panda paws have an extra bone that works like a thumb.
9. Pandas spend about 14 hours a day searching and munching. They eat all parts of bamboo and need to eat 25 to 40 pounds a day.
10. Pandas live in the middle of China in the wild and on a reserve and in zoos around the world. 

From Me: 

As with all National Geographic Kids books, this book is full of information and beautiful photographs. I love how the measurements give an everyday thing to compare it. It is written for the younger kids to be able to read and understand as well as for adults to read it to them. The photographs are adorable and the facts are interesting. It goes through different facts about the body and life of pandas as well as sharing its other bear cousins. At the end of the book there is information about what is threatening pandas as well as things that are being done and that kids can do. Then there is a little picture quiz and lesson extensions for parents and teachers to extend the book. They include crafts, literature, writing, math and more! This is definitely a great book to check out for home and classroom.

Panda Crafts:

1) Paper Plate Pandas from Simple Everyday Mom

2) Panda Softie from Gluesticks

3) Panda Headband from Simple Everyday Mom

4) Rice Panda Craft

5) Panda Bear Mother's Day Cards from Our Kid Things

6) Panda Hug Bookmark from Artsy Craftsy Mom

7) Coffee Filter Panda from Our Kid Things

8) Panda Valentine Card Box from Artsy Fartsy Mama

9) Pennies for Pandas Jar

10) Panda Paper Bag Puppet from Simple Everyday Mom

11) Origami Pandas 1 and 2

I hope you will check out this fun book and try some of these crafts!