Penny Panda and the Gift of Possibility, written by Nicole Oke and illustrated by Richard Hoit, is a children's picture book that revolves around a little girl who struggles with a big emotion on Christmas morning. The book begins with an introduction to Izzy and her family, which include her father, mother, and baby sister, Maddie. After opening all her Christmas presents, Izzy is disappointed with the primary gift she received from her parents, a stuffed panda, and also with her perception of present inequity as she detects that Maddie's number of gifts exceeds hers. Back in her bedroom, her stuffed panda named Penny comes to life and tries to work through why Maddie might have more presents in the hope that talking through it might lessen Izzy's anxiety over the situation. Hoit's illustrations breathe life and color into the setting of Izzy, Penny, and their home with a gorgeous, vibrant palette and artwork that elevates the book exponentially.

Penny Panda and the Gift of Possibility aims to address the internal turmoil younger children feel when questions arise as a result of believing something isn't fair. In Nicole Oke's tale, Izzy questions whether or not her parents love Maddie more which, of course, is not true. Her feelings are validated and the panda she did not really like or want turns out to be good for the situation she finds herself in. As a parent with a child that struggles with general anxiety, I am always keen on books that represent a validation of emotion and alternative ways to reduce it. While I might have chosen different questions that address the actual core of the emotion as opposed to it manifesting itself in the context of presents and correlating objects with love, I can see the value in the overall story. The true star of this book is the illustrations by Richard Hoit who displays an exceptional talent for artwork that both engages readers and keeps them interested in the overall story where the density of text might otherwise lead to fatigue. His skill had my daughter's fingers lingering on the pages, which is a genuine indicator of success in a children's picture book.

Children are often highly sensitive to their feelings but can find it difficult to understand them. Penny Panda and the Gift of Possibility is a charming children's picture book by Nicole Oke that aims to help kids to better acclimate to their emotions. Containing some brilliant illustrations by Richard Hoit, the book follows Izzy, a little girl who receives a teddy bear named Penny Panda for Christmas. Suddenly, Izzy gets an unfamiliar feeling all over her body when she sees her little sister Maddie receiving more gifts than her. Izzy wonders if her parents love her sister more than her, and she pours her heart out in front of Penny. To her surprise, Penny responds to her with some valuable advice and plays the Possibility Game to allay Izzy's fears.

Penny Panda and the Gift of Possibility is a picture book kids will find a joy to read. Author Nicole Oke finds an ingenious way to help children be in tune with their feelings and emotions through this delightful tale of a young girl and her teddy bear. Richard Hoit's illustrations add color to the pages, making the characters more vibrant and the story immersive. Izzy is a sweet and adorable child you can't help but love, and her interactions with her teddy bear are as entertaining as they are illuminating. This is a short and concise book, and the length ensures that children's attention will not waver. I very much enjoyed it, and recommend it to kids and parents alike.