When I Draw a Panda

Bates explores the idea of perfection and individuality in this picture book that features a girl in front of her chalkboard wall doing what she loves most: drawing things in her own style. Her circles aren’t always perfect, but she doesn’t let that frustrate her, at least not for long. Indeed, those imperfect circles make “a perfect fluffy cloud,” “a perfect flat tire,” and after swirling enough of them together, even a panda bear, who springs to life and draws alongside her. And just like her, the panda also draws in “his own way.” When told to draw a castle “the right way,” he draws it “the left way” and tips it on its side. Or when someone tells him to “draw something pretty,” he instead “draws something pretty silly.” Both panda and the girl like to take drawings in their own direction—or even deliberately in the opposite direction of instruction. With entertaining illustrations all throughout, the book ends on an abrupt but content note of how their lines are “just going somewhere that make us happy.” The panda acts as a fun and expressive alter ego for the girl, as describing him allows her to explain her own approach to drawing and defying conformity to reveal her own creativity and originality. The girl’s self confidence conveys an important message of allowing space for creativity, innovation, and individuality, and that ultimately perfection is in the eye and method of the beholder.