Panda Books for Kids · 114 titles considered

The Best Panda Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors
Updated July 27, 2026

Pandas have built an impressive children’s-book career on a very small résumé: eat bamboo, climb when necessary, and look as though getting dressed required only half the usual effort. Authors have made the most of that deadpan charm, casting pandas as sleepy cubs, etiquette-minded doughnut keepers, patient storytellers, reluctant party planners, and—when older readers arrive—endangered animals worth understanding and protecting.

Drawing from Bookroo’s collection of 114 panda books, our editors chose rhythmic first reads, memorable picture books, inviting nonfiction, and adventures for independent readers. Start with our fixed shortlist of 10 favorites, then explore the age shelves or follow the related topics toward bears, red pandas, bamboo forests, China, and conservation.

Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?
Series
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Panda Books

Sale price
$1049
Board Book · Ages 0–3 · 2003

Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?

By Eric Carle (Illustrator) · Brown Bear and Friends series

A familiar panda leads a rhythmic parade of endangered animals, each asking the next what it sees.

28 pages
Best for
A first panda book with a chant children can join
4.8/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 33,126 ratings
$10.99Save 5%
Board book
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2005

Zen Shorts

A panda's tales challenge three siblings' views on life and values.

Caldecott Honor (2006)Charlotte Zolotow Honor (2006)
40 pages· 1,208 words· Est. 10 min read-aloud
Best for
Big questions, calm conversation, and rereading
4.3/5 Goodreads · 13,389 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2013

Xander's Panda Party

By Linda Sue Park, Matt Phelan (Illustrator)

A panda's party plans unravel when he realizes he's the only panda. Can he invite everyone instead?

40 pages· 557 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud
Best for
A smart, inclusive story for animal lovers
5.8/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 1,527 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Picture Book · Ages 3–5 · 2014

Please, Mr. Panda

A panda offers doughnuts to various animals, but they are initially refused.

32 pages· 118 words· Est. 1 min read-aloud
Best for
Practicing manners with preschoolers
5.1/7 Bookroo·3.9/5 Goodreads · 3,606 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Board Book · Ages 0–4 · 2013

Chu's Day

A panda's sneeze causes chaos. Will anyone notice in time?

36 pages
Best for
A suspenseful, silly toddler read-aloud
4.8/7 Bookroo·3.8/5 Goodreads · 5,597 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Board book
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2014

Chengdu Could Not, Would Not, Fall Asleep

A restless panda seeks the perfect spot to finally fall asleep.

48 pages
Best for
Bedtime readers who are not remotely sleepy
3.8/5 Goodreads · 720 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2020

When I Draw a Panda

A girl's imperfect panda drawing springs to life, sparking creativity.

34 pages
Best for
Perfectionists and young artists
5.2/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 312 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Chapter Book · Ages 6–8 · 2010

Pandas

Photos and lively facts introduce beginning readers to giant pandas at home in the wild and in zoos.

32 pages· 901 words· Est. 11 min read
Best for
Newly independent readers who want real panda facts
4.2/5 Goodreads · 377 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Paperback
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2012

A Perfect Time for Pandas

Jack and Annie travel to a Chinese panda reserve, where a magical quest collides with a historic earthquake.

144 pages· 13,416 words· Est. 2.5 hour read
Best for
Early chapter-book fans of time-travel adventure
4.2/5 Goodreads · 3,208 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Paperback
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2017

Panda-monium

By Stuart Gibbs · Book #4 in the FunJungle series

A giant panda vanishes, and a young sleuth must solve the mystery to protect his girlfriend.

384 pages· 71,907 words· Est. 10 hour read
Best for
Older readers who like animal mysteries
4.5/5 Goodreads · 5,435 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
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Browse by age

Panda Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

High-contrast bears, sturdy pages, repeating refrains, and very small pandas with very big feelings for ages 0–3.

Chu's First Day of School

Ages 3–6 · 2014

Chu's first school day brings nerves and a big sneeze. What will happen?

Thank You, God, for Mommy

Ages 2–5 · 2011

A little panda thanks God for the love and care of his mommy.

Pom Pom Panda Gets the Grumps

Ages 0–3 · 2015

A grumpy panda's bad day spirals when he pushes friends away. Can he turn it around?

Chu's Day at the Beach

Ages 2–5 · 2015

What chaos ensues when a sneezing panda visits the beach?

Noodle Loves to Cuddle

Ages 2–3 · 2011

Explore bedtime fun with Noodle the panda.

Sale price
$799

Baby Touch and Feel Panda

Ages 0–3 · 2021

Explore textures and shapes with pandas in a touch-and-feel adventure for little hands.

Sale price
$799

Panda Panda Feelings

Ages 1–4 · 2019

Twin pandas explore feelings and self-expression.

Never Touch a Panda!

Ages 0–3 · 2020

Discover the fun of sporty pandas with bumpy textures and silly rhymes.

Playdate for Panda

Ages 2–4 · 2016

Panda's first play date with Fox leads to unexpected fun and friendship.

Night Night, Valentine

Ages 0–4 · 2020

A panda family celebrates Valentine's Day with love-filled bedtime rituals.

Five Hungry Pandas!

Ages 2–4 · 2014

Hungry pandas munch bamboo as kids learn to count to five.

Sale price
$1099

Little Panda

Ages 3–5 · 2019

Little Panda explores the jungle, with mama always nearby.

View all panda board books
Browse by age

Panda Picture Books

Funny, thoughtful, and fact-filled panda read-alouds for preschoolers and elementary readers ages 3–8.

Panda Kisses

Ages 4–6 · 2008

A baby panda searches for the perfect kiss, discovering it might be closer than he thinks.

The Perfect Sofa

Ages 4–8 · 2019

Can Penguin and Panda find the perfect sofa, or is it closer than they think?

Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas

Ages 4–8 · 2014

A young girl visits her neighbors on Chinese New Year and causes chaos in their home, leading to a series of unfortunate events and a lesson in responsibility and kindness.

Addy's Cup of Sugar

Ages 4–8 · 2020

A girl seeks a cure for loss, discovering a universal truth.

Mindful Monkey, Happy Panda

Ages 4–8 · 2011

A restless Monkey learns mindfulness from a wise Panda.

Zen Ties

Ages 4–8 · 2008

A panda and friends help a grouchy neighbor, discovering unexpected rewards.

Dinner at the Panda Palace

Ages 3–7 · 1991

Can Panda find space for one more guest in a packed restaurant?

That's NOT How You Do It!

Ages 3–7 · 2017

Lucy meets Toshi, who does everything differently. Can she learn from him?

Sale price
$1899

Zen Socks

Ages 4–8 · 2015

Three friends discover life's lessons through kindness and unexpected adventures.

Two Shy Pandas

Ages 7–9 · 2012

Two shy neighbors struggle to break the silence between them.

Hi, Koo!

Ages 4–8 · 2014

Explore the four seasons through enchanting haikus with a charming panda guide.

Panda & Polar Bear

Ages 3–5 · 2009

A polar bear's fall leads to an unexpected friendship with a panda. Can it last?

Browse by age

Panda Chapter Books & Nonfiction

Mysteries, time-travel adventures, wildlife facts, and conservation stories for independent readers ages 6–12.

The Puzzle of the Missing Panda: China

Ages 6–9 · 2004

A panda vanishes. A young agent must infiltrate a gang to save it and himself.

The Stolen Crystals

Ages 7–10 · 2012

A young princess discovers a magical crystal that helps her find a set of stolen jewels and rescue a panda cub.

Pandas and Other Endangered Species

Ages 7–9 · 2012

The book explores the lives of endangered species, including giant pandas, and the efforts of conservationists to protect them.

Sale price
$499

Mae the Panda Fairy

Ages 7–10 · 2013

Can two girls stop a villain from kidnapping baby animals for his icy zoo?

#1 in Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$995

Bad Panda

Ages 7–9 · 2021

A panda rebels against her cute image to become the zoo's fiercest creature.

Sale price
$699

The Panda Puzzle

Ages 6–9 · 2001

A baby panda is kidnapped from a petting zoo and the main characters must solve the mystery before it's too late.

Creatures of the Flood

Ages 8–12 · 2021

Three young pandas must unite to confront a mysterious tiger and fulfill an ancient prophecy in a divided kingdom.

Camp Panda

Ages 10–12 · 2018

Can humans teach pandas to survive in the wild and avert extinction?

The Year of the Panda

Ages 8–12 · 1990

A boy's farm faces mysterious threats as a rare panda appears, hinting at hidden secrets.

A Baby Panda Is Born
Sale price
$499

A Baby Panda Is Born

Ages 6–8 · 2008

Discover the journey of a newborn panda and efforts to save its species.

Giant Pandas

Ages 8–11 · 2010

Can endangered giant pandas be saved from extinction?

Animal All-Stars Collection
Sale price
$899

Animal All-Stars Collection

Ages 4–6 · 2024

Discover the fascinating lives of animals through engaging stories and fun facts.

Keep exploring
Books about bearsRed pandasBooks about bambooBamboo forestsBooks about ChinaEndangered animalsBooks about conservationWildlife conservationThe zooBaby animalsBooks about mammalsAnimal storiesBooks about friendshipBooks about kindnessBooks about bedtimeTime travel

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