This cute picture book is about a panda and a red panda who like to read together. The red panda feels discouraged about almost never seeing herself in panda books, so she decides to write a book about red pandas, and her friend supports her through self-doubt, criticism, and the winding path to success.

This book is a very obvious metaphor for #OwnVoice writers, but even though it's extremely predictable and unsubtle from an adult perspective, there's nothing unpleasantly preachy about it. Most kids won't know anything about #OwnVoices social commentary, so the story will feel fresh to them, and it can inspire them to write their own stories. They will also like the cute characters, especially if they like pandas.

The message of this book is to write the book you wish existed. Red pandas are the main character of the book, and it helped prove the point that they are not usually thought of when one thinks of pandas. I thought this book would especially be useful in an elementary classroom.

An amazing story about what representation in books can do for a reader. I absolutely loved how the characters came together to write a book that the red pandas could relate to, and that the normal pandas could learn from.

This book is adorable and has a great message for children. The illustrations are fun and engaging. I loved the use of different types of pandas to represent diversity in books. Great way to introduce children to the topic!

How This Book Got Red is a clever allegory about the need for diversity in children's literature. When Red and Gee find a book about pandas they are excited to read it. But the book is only about one kind of panda. In fact, all the books are. So Red sets out to write their own book with hilarious and heartwarming results. The book is cleverly composed with factual information about red pandas sandwiching Gee and Red's story. The illustrations beautifully support the text, adding context and humour. The theme of the book is clear and would be easy for kids to understand. This book would be an excellent addition to any classroom learning about diversity and social justice. Although it is intended for a younger audience, it would be well received by older students as well.

I could not love this book any more! This book is about representation and told in an incredibly cute way with different pandas. This is a book I will recommend to everyone.

As a librarian in a very diverse school, I could not love this book anymore. On the surface it a sweet book about two friends, a red panda (squeal-I LOVE red pandas) and a giant panda. Underneath the sweet picture book story is one about inclusion and representation. This will definitely be on my read aloud rotation.

Margaret Chiu Greanias is correct: red pandas do not receive as much attention as other pandas. Equal parts animal book and SEL book, it should appeals to all children as a way to enforce why their opinion and voice matters. This book makes the concept as to why we need diverse books accessible to children and families. Author notes reinforce this idea.

Published: 10/01/23

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Kids, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky for accepting my request to read and review How This Book Got Red.

An enjoyable read with illustrations that are appealing visually to both children and adults. Graphics are whimsical and colored appropriately, not cartoonish, making this good for some quality fun reading time as well as a couple teaching opportunities. The first being there are different breeds of pandas. Secondly, if you can't find what you want, make it happen yourself. Thirdly, life is better with a friend and this book provides the various ways to be a good friend as well the need for one.

Overall, a book I would gift, and enjoyed. This is a nice babysitter book.

I received both a digital arc and a physical arc from Sourcebooks, so I was able to review the pictures close-up. I really enjoyed the story, and message of accepting differences and learning from others. My children read the book with me and were interested in learning more about red pandas after reading. The engaging pictures, enjoyable story, and silly premise will be a hit with preschool-aged readers.

Review to come closer to the release day (probably end of September) on blog/goodreads.

I received this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange of an honest review.

I just couldn't resist this superadorable book when I spied it on Netgalley! A book about red pandas? About pandas? And also about a red panda who just wants a book about themselves! Cute!

In this book we meet two friends, Red and Gee. Red is a Red Panda (no surprise there) and Gee is a Giant Panda! They are the best of friends and are both eager to dive into a book about pandas. But what is this??? There is ZERO mention of red pandas???? Of course Red takes offense (which I found at first a bit over the top until we saw that the world was very much based on being a Giant Panda and then I could very much understand) and decides to write her own book about Red Pandas! I love her dedication and I also liked that she didn't just BOOM wrote a book and done, no we see that she is trying her best to make it as good as possible and goes through some bumps along the way (one that includes if anyone would be interested). 

I was so proud of Red and how she kept going and I loved that Gee was there to motivate her and be emotional support. So sweet! 

And the ending was just wonderful, it made me very happy to see that Red managed to change their world and make it more inclusive. 

A big bonus is the pages about the Red Pandas (with adorable illustrations) that are located at the start and the end of the book. I was so happy that we got to see Red's work! 

All in all, an adorable and fun book about inclusivity, about having to step up to make something happen, about friendship, and there are some gorgeous illustrations to make the story come to life even more. I would recommend it~

Cute story about how we want to see ourselves in the literature in front of us. I love the idea that the red panda wanted to write his own story, gave up, and then was pumped right back up with friends galore. The title didn’t match what I thought the book would be about (red equating to anger), but it was great otherwise. Loved the plot, the illustrations, and the like. Thanks for the opportunity.

I loved that this book focuses on representation. Such an empowering message that just because you can’t find anything that looks like you, doesn’t mean that it’s not needed, and that you can create something to fill this void, while also encouraging others too! As an added bonus, you also get to learn about red pandas.

Thank you, Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Kids, for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Very cute book that gives young readers information about red pandas and encourages writing. A little red panda couldn't find herself in any of the panda books that she read so she decided to write her own book.

This was such a cute book about red pandas! It tells the story of Red, a red panda, who is so excited to read a book about pandas with their friend Gee (a standard panda). However, Red is disappointed about not being in the book. So they decide to write their own book!

I loved the way this illustrated the importance of representation in children's books! Plus red pandas are so cute!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book about pandas - both red and giant, is so wonderful. Not only is it a cute story on its own, but it also acts as a fantastic allegory for the need for diversity and representation. Delightful to read, this book will stay with me for a long time!

I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a great introduction to representation in literature, both for those of us who are underrepresented and those of us that aren't. Red can't see herself in any of the books that she reads. So she writes her own. And her friend Gee, who sees himself in every panda book he can find, sees the world from the perspective of someone else and learns compassion and inclusion.