THE EMPEROR'S PANDA David Day. Illustrated by Eric Beddows. Toronto, ON: McClelland and Stewart, 1986. 109pp., cloth, $14.95. ISBN 0-7710-2573-4. CIP. Subject Headings: Pandas-Fiction. Magic-Fiction. China-Fiction. Grades 5 and up / Ages 10 and up Reviewed by Joan McGrath. Volume 15 Number 1 1987 January The Emperor's Panda, a heroic quest in the high romantic mode, has not only a likeable and sympathetic young hero in Kung, but, as well, a lovable mythic--heroic figure in the demi-god Giant panda Beishung, an unflappable, self-possessed, entirely charming creation. How could a panda, even a deified one, be otherwise? This is a story that flows as smoothly as a richly embroidered ribbon of silk. This fairy-tale adventure is something of a groundbreaker for Canadian collections, which have been until now quite lacking in the area of high fantasy. Those popular shelves have been filled with titles by foreign authors. The locale is still exotic. The adventure takes place in China in the high and far-off days of the Celestial Empire, but the flavour is new distinctive, and entirely pleasing. A point worth noting: Eric Beddows creator of the splendid black-and-white iilustrations is already familiar and very popular as Ken Nutt of Zoom At Sea ¹ fame. Joan McGrath, Toronto Board of Education, Toronto, ON. ¹ Reviewed vol. XII/2 March 1984, p. 81.