Mrs. Harkness and the Panda

Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
In 1934, Ruth Harkness had never seen a panda bear.  Not many people in the world had.

But soon the young Mrs. Harkness would inherit an expedition from her explorer husband: the hunt for a panda.  She knew that bringing back a panda would be hard. Impossible, even.  But she intended to try.

So she went to China, where she found a guide, built traps, gathered supplies, and had explorers' clothes made—unheard of for a woman in those days.  Then she set out up the Yangtze River and into the wilderness.  What she discovered would awe America: an adorable baby panda she named Su Lin, which means "a little bit of something very cute."

With breathtaking illustrations from Caldecott Honor artist Melissa Sweet, this little-known true story shares the tale of an adventurous woman who was bold and brave—and the unforgettable journey that helped shape American attitudes toward wildlife.
Melissa Sweet is the illustrator of many acclaimed children’s books, including her collaboration with Judy Sierra on Schoolyard Rhymes. She is also the author and illustrator of Carmine: A Little More Red. She lives in Rockport, Maine. View titles by Melissa Sweet
  • NOMINEE
    ALA Notable Children's Book
  • NOMINEE
    NCSS-CBC Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies
  • FINALIST
    Cybils
  • SELECTION | 2015
    Missouri Show Me Reader Award
  • NOMINEE | 2013
    Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award
  • SELECTION | 2013
    NCSS-CBC Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies

Starred Review, Booklist, February 15, 2012:
“An engaging, graceful narrative…. Sweet’s Asian style watercolor landscapes are breathtakingly beautiful.”

Starred Review, School Library Journal, February 1, 2012:
“This little gem will be perfect for one-on-one sharing and for those second-grade biography assignments. It’s simply stunning.”

About

In 1934, Ruth Harkness had never seen a panda bear.  Not many people in the world had.

But soon the young Mrs. Harkness would inherit an expedition from her explorer husband: the hunt for a panda.  She knew that bringing back a panda would be hard. Impossible, even.  But she intended to try.

So she went to China, where she found a guide, built traps, gathered supplies, and had explorers' clothes made—unheard of for a woman in those days.  Then she set out up the Yangtze River and into the wilderness.  What she discovered would awe America: an adorable baby panda she named Su Lin, which means "a little bit of something very cute."

With breathtaking illustrations from Caldecott Honor artist Melissa Sweet, this little-known true story shares the tale of an adventurous woman who was bold and brave—and the unforgettable journey that helped shape American attitudes toward wildlife.

Author

Melissa Sweet is the illustrator of many acclaimed children’s books, including her collaboration with Judy Sierra on Schoolyard Rhymes. She is also the author and illustrator of Carmine: A Little More Red. She lives in Rockport, Maine. View titles by Melissa Sweet

Awards

  • NOMINEE
    ALA Notable Children's Book
  • NOMINEE
    NCSS-CBC Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies
  • FINALIST
    Cybils
  • SELECTION | 2015
    Missouri Show Me Reader Award
  • NOMINEE | 2013
    Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award
  • SELECTION | 2013
    NCSS-CBC Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies

Praise

Starred Review, Booklist, February 15, 2012:
“An engaging, graceful narrative…. Sweet’s Asian style watercolor landscapes are breathtakingly beautiful.”

Starred Review, School Library Journal, February 1, 2012:
“This little gem will be perfect for one-on-one sharing and for those second-grade biography assignments. It’s simply stunning.”

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