This month, I read a short and sweet book called The Journey: Big Panda and Little Dragon by James Norbury. Personally, I had a great time with this book and would highly recommend it to readers of all ages. If you love picture books that tell a meaningful story, then you’ll love this one. Below are some more details if you’re interested.

The story is compelling, centred around two well-written characters whose journey reflects experiences most people face at some point in their lives. Little Dragon feels the need for change, and Big Panda helps guide them through it. At its core, the story explores love and perseverance, reminding the reader that difficult moments don’t last forever. Throughout the adventure, you get to see the two characters’ lovely personalities truly shine.

The artwork is expressive and carefully designed to reflect the characters’ emotions. Throughout the book, the artist makes a conscious effort to match the colour schemes to Little Dragon’s emotions. As Little Dragon feels worse, the colours become darker; likewise, during moments of happiness, they become much brighter. I felt this added a lot to the story, as it emphasises how your mindset can impact how you see the world around you.

I would recommend this short and sweet children’s book to anyone. The themes are timeless and never feel as though they are talking down to the reader. I believe most readers, regardless of age, would find something meaningful in its pages.