Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss. ( )

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

I wasn't a fan of Mine. Yours. I thought the older panda set a bad example for the younger panda. He was selfish, possessive, and uncaring. The little panda asked for food and was given a tiny portion compared to what the larger panda hoarded for himself. I dislike the message it sends to children, because adults (especially parental figures) are supposed to take care of them. The young panda was essentially told to go outside and play so the larger panda didn't have to deal with him.

It didn't help that the only two words used were "mine" and "yours" throughout the book. We try not to use mine at our house, and encourage our children to share what they have. My husband and I share with them, and we expect them to share with us and each other. I know that the story is trying to make a point, and eventually the word "ours" is introduced, but animals were getting upset with the little panda for things that were out of his control. His kite was flying around and bumping into people, and they acted like he'd committed some terrible crime. No one tried to help him, or offered a kind word. I understand what Mine. Yours. was trying to accomplish, but I wasn't a fan of how it was done.

Originally posted at Do You Dog-ear? on January 24, 2019. ( )

The lovely illustrations in this book bring this story to life. It reminds me of the classic :"10 Apples Up on Top". Little Bear has a kite that disrupts all the other animal's activities. A chase begins but in the end the animals have fun with little bear's kite. This story has very few words but will allow small children to help tell the story. ( )

Mine. Yours. by Marsha Diane Arnold & Qin Leng is a book of few words, letting the artwork tell most of the story. Little Panda has wandered into Big Panda's den. After trying to get Little Panda to leave, Big Panda gives him a kite. Little Panda runs off to play with the kite. In the process, he tangles up several jungle residents in the kite string.

I read this with my cubs and we all enjoyed it! The art is just gorgeous! It's a simple story with a deep lesson on both boundaries- mine vs yours- and sharing- ours. I loved that the artist included a pangolin among the critters Little Panda meets! All of the animals are appropriate to the panda habitat, and others include fishing cat, raccoon dog (tanuki), and red panda. It prompted interest in these creatures, so we researched them afterwards! Recommended for preschool/kindergarten classrooms particularly!

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Kids Can Press for providing a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review. ( )

Having young grandchildren, "Mine" is a word I hear a lot. This beautifully illustrated book uses only three words to get a message across, Mine, Yours and Ours. When Little Panda encroaches on Big Panda's home and food, he very directly points out mine and yours to him. While playing with his new kite, Little Panda has issues controlling it and is told over and over "Mine" as he gets too close and disrupts others. As all the animals get tied up in the string, Big Panda rescues them and they realize that "Ours" will solve the many problems and make them happy together. All the animals are from Asia (I like when a book sticks to a continent with it's characters) and they tell the name of each one at the end of the book. A nice way to further an investigation into the animals. I enjoyed this very simple 3 word book. The publisher generously provided a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own. ( )