The Panda’s Child is an adventure story - a picture book with a difference.
The story is set long ago, but the main theme of the book is the requirement of humans to respect all life on this planet, if we are to get by as a species.
The main character is a child, lost shortly after his birth, and when all hope of his recovery is gone, found, being cared for by a she bear. He is an unusual child, although he doesn’t realise it, as he has the power to comprehend the language of animals, a language that is not always spoken.
The book speaks of courage, to act as one believes is right, without hesitation, without concern to be ‘seen’ to do the right thing. To have courage, to have hope, to act against all odds.
It is an unusual picture book, where text and images balance to carry the story through, offering resting places for the eyes, heart and mind. Longer than the average, we hoped to make it like a small theatre of a book, with three acts, an immersive experience that a family will return to again and again.
<aside> 🐼 human relationship with the wild
</aside>
<aside> 🐼 courage
</aside>
<aside> 🐼 love
</aside>
Extent: 96 pages
UK Publisher: Otter-Barry (September 2023)
Illustrations: Full colour, by Cathy Fisher
Primary agent: Jessica Woollard
Film/TV agent: DHA (Georgie Smith)
Co-Agents: Chinese - Andrew Nurnberg Associates; Japanese - Japan Uni
Jackie Morris is an artist, writer and painter. She lives and works in Wales and her work is informed and inspired by wild places and creatures.
Cathy Fisher is an author and illustrator. She has published eight books to date and been CILIP Greenaway Medal longlisted for Perfect and The Pond. Her exquisite illustrations add layers of visual narrative and meaning, making stories richer, deeper and more accessible.
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