This second in Tom Antonishak’s critically-acclaimed Life Begins series focuses on the Giant Panda, one of the most endangered animal species in the world. My Life as a Panda paints a shocking, true-to-life portrait of just how few pandas are left in our world, and points up some of the wonderfully humane efforts underway right now to save our beloved “rare bear.”

As with his first work in this series, Life of an Eagle, Antonishak utilizes the writing skills of popular children’s author Dale Wildman to tell the story through the eyes and “voice” of the animal itself, with a lively, witty style certain to appeal to animal lovers ages 8 to 80 and beyond.

Known for creating incredibly-detailed paintings and sculptures based on extensive, hands-on research, Antonishak brings that same dedication and detail to this inspiring graphic novella, along with his incredible knowledge of animal life and habits, wild and domestic. His award-winning illustration style bring a remarkably apt and compelling feel to the natural habitat, intriguing life span and common experiences of this unique bear species.

Readers will be pleased to learn that the work is also available in a “read-to” format, with the ‘panda’ himself telling his story. 

In commenting on the distinct pleasure he takes in working on the Life Begins series, Wildman remarked that, “Tom’s engaging illustrations and fact-based stories emphasize the very real danger our endangered species find themselves in, and help us all find a place and a part to help save these rare animals for future generations to enjoy.”