Playmate? A Playdate for Panda by Michael Dahl

Panda' mom has taken him to Fox's house to play. But Panda is not sure he's ready for a playdate.

Fox greets him with a big smile, but inside, without Mom, Panda finds himself so shy that he can't say a word.

But Fox knows what to do. Quietly, he pushes his full toy box over to Panda.

And soon it's game on!

OUTSIDE THEY JUMP AND HIDE

THEY TAKE TURNS ON SWING AND SLIDE.

Back inside Fox's house, it's music time. Panda plays percussion while Fox plays the xylophone and then they share a snack at the kitchen table. And when they feel like slowing down, Fox shares his best books until Momma Panda comes back.

Panda leaves with a smile and a wave, looking forward... to the next play date, in Michael Dahl's brand-new Playdate for Panda (Hello Genius) (Picture Window/Capstone Books, 2016), a quick briefing on what to do when you visit a new friend.

Sharing toys, using manners, and taking turns help the fun along, and a new friend is the result. Simple-lined, characters in profile and solid basic backgrounds in the full- and double-page illustrations by Orion Vidal keep the visuals bright and easy to interpret for young board book fans with a play-full introduction to one-on-one social skills.

For even more playdate prep, pair this one with Anna Dewdney's popular Llama Llama Time to Share.