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Mervin the Sloth #2
Amy the Red Panda Is Writing the Best Story in the World
An exuberant, hilarious guessing game about storytelling, creativity, friendship, and patience—with the most adorable animal menagerie you’ll find anywhere!
Amy the Red Panda starts to tell her best friend Mervin the Sloth a story when—uh-oh—a rainstorm of letters pours down! When it stops, Amy reads a sentence in the sky: Amy the Red Panda is writing the best story in the world.
The BEST story in the WORLD? That’s a tall order. Especially when all of the other animals have their own opinions on what the story should be about. Big animals or small ones? Acrobats? A pirate bird flying the Seven Seas? Oh, dear! Luckily, Mervin is there to give Amy just the right inspiration.
A companion to Mervin the Sloth Is About to Do the Best Thing in the World, this funny-bone–tickling picture book brings back a cast of zany, irresistible animal friends and an inventive, playful format. Pitch-perfect, full of imagination, and just right for fans of Dragons Love Tacos, The Book with No Pictures, and The Monster at the End of This Book.
Amy the Red Panda starts to tell her best friend Mervin the Sloth a story when—uh-oh—a rainstorm of letters pours down! When it stops, Amy reads a sentence in the sky: Amy the Red Panda is writing the best story in the world.
The BEST story in the WORLD? That’s a tall order. Especially when all of the other animals have their own opinions on what the story should be about. Big animals or small ones? Acrobats? A pirate bird flying the Seven Seas? Oh, dear! Luckily, Mervin is there to give Amy just the right inspiration.
A companion to Mervin the Sloth Is About to Do the Best Thing in the World, this funny-bone–tickling picture book brings back a cast of zany, irresistible animal friends and an inventive, playful format. Pitch-perfect, full of imagination, and just right for fans of Dragons Love Tacos, The Book with No Pictures, and The Monster at the End of This Book.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published November 14, 2017
1 person is currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Colleen A.F. Venable
52 books439 followersYou might know me from such films as "Colleen's Fourth Birthday Party" and "Colleen Falls Down Over and Over Again While Ice Skating."
Fun facts!
-I have a huge connect-the-dots tattoo.
-I accidentally started an international holiday.
(See National Pancake Day or Lumberjack Day, every Sept 26)
-I once sang back-up on an album nominated for the Polka Grammy.
-I can't sing.
-When I was 18, I broke a national coed jump-rope record.
My debut YA graphic novel Kiss Number 8 was a National Book Award Longlist title, an Eisner nominee, and a Prism award finalist.
My graphic novel series Guinea Pig, Pet Shop Private Eye (illustrated by Stephanie Yue) was nominated for an Eisner for Best Publication for Kids and awarded “Best Book” recognition from Kirkus Reviews, NYPL, Bank Street, and the Junior Library Guild.
I grew up in the trees of Walden, New York….well, not very high up the trees, since I always got scared, but I did carve my name in a lot of low hanging boughs. I had an older sister, a dog, a cat, a million fish, and an imaginary pet hamster named, yup you guessed it, Hamisher. Why have an imaginary friend when you can have an imaginary friend that can fit in your pocket!
I went to Wagner College and double majored in English and Studio Art, winning the award of “biggest dork” (aka first in my class)
I love graphic novels more than I love having feet and I really do love having feet. They keep my shoes on.
Pssst My name is actually spelled Colleen AF Venable. No punctuation. My birth name was Colleen Ann Venable, but in 1994 I asked to change my middle name to Felicity, because that's the sort of thing you do when you are 14. So I started to go by Colleen AF...mostly because I was bad at typing periods. The internet either ruined my name or made it SO MUCH COOLER. You can decide.
Fun facts!
-I have a huge connect-the-dots tattoo.
-I accidentally started an international holiday.
(See National Pancake Day or Lumberjack Day, every Sept 26)
-I once sang back-up on an album nominated for the Polka Grammy.
-I can't sing.
-When I was 18, I broke a national coed jump-rope record.
My debut YA graphic novel Kiss Number 8 was a National Book Award Longlist title, an Eisner nominee, and a Prism award finalist.
My graphic novel series Guinea Pig, Pet Shop Private Eye (illustrated by Stephanie Yue) was nominated for an Eisner for Best Publication for Kids and awarded “Best Book” recognition from Kirkus Reviews, NYPL, Bank Street, and the Junior Library Guild.
I grew up in the trees of Walden, New York….well, not very high up the trees, since I always got scared, but I did carve my name in a lot of low hanging boughs. I had an older sister, a dog, a cat, a million fish, and an imaginary pet hamster named, yup you guessed it, Hamisher. Why have an imaginary friend when you can have an imaginary friend that can fit in your pocket!
I went to Wagner College and double majored in English and Studio Art, winning the award of “biggest dork” (aka first in my class)
I love graphic novels more than I love having feet and I really do love having feet. They keep my shoes on.
Pssst My name is actually spelled Colleen AF Venable. No punctuation. My birth name was Colleen Ann Venable, but in 1994 I asked to change my middle name to Felicity, because that's the sort of thing you do when you are 14. So I started to go by Colleen AF...mostly because I was bad at typing periods. The internet either ruined my name or made it SO MUCH COOLER. You can decide.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 26, 2017
merry merry prezzie!!
review to come!
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I MUST HAVE THIS!!!!
review to come!
************************************
I MUST HAVE THIS!!!!
June 15, 2019
In this follow-up to their earlier picture-book collaboration,
Mervin the Sloth Is About to Do the Best Thing in the World
, author Colleen A.F. Venable and illustrator Ruth Chan turn to Mervin's friend Amy, a red panda whom, the brief narrative informs us, is writing the best story in the world. Unfortunately for her, all of her friends have ideas about what her story should include, and who the hero should be - ideas that are frequently in conflict. After giving up on her writing project in despair, Amy is inspired to take another look at it by Mervin, and his invitation to play...
Like its predecessor, Amy the Red Panda Is Writing the Best Story in the World is a meta-fictional tale that involves quite a bit of entertaining and innovative character-typography interaction, as various characters bump into or override the central text - which flows across the center of each two-page spread - in their effort to influence Amy's storytelling. In a clever twist, their continued interference leads to the dissolution of that text altogether, just as it leads Amy to think that she cannot possibly put together a story. Tellingly, it is a letter that Mervin uses to gain his friend's attention (by bouncing it off her head), and put her back on track. A clever story idea, once again joined to charming artwork, makes this a title I would recommend to anyone looking for more meta-fictional picture-books, as well as to anyone who enjoyed this author/artist team's previous foray into the form.
Like its predecessor, Amy the Red Panda Is Writing the Best Story in the World is a meta-fictional tale that involves quite a bit of entertaining and innovative character-typography interaction, as various characters bump into or override the central text - which flows across the center of each two-page spread - in their effort to influence Amy's storytelling. In a clever twist, their continued interference leads to the dissolution of that text altogether, just as it leads Amy to think that she cannot possibly put together a story. Tellingly, it is a letter that Mervin uses to gain his friend's attention (by bouncing it off her head), and put her back on track. A clever story idea, once again joined to charming artwork, makes this a title I would recommend to anyone looking for more meta-fictional picture-books, as well as to anyone who enjoyed this author/artist team's previous foray into the form.
May 2, 2018
First sentence: Ready for the story? Once upon a time, there was a huge dragon who...
Premise/plot: Letters are falling from the sky again in Venable's newest book! If you read and enjoyed Mervin the Sloth is About to Do The Best Thing in the World, then definitely seek out Amy the Red Panda is Writing the Best Story in the World. The premise is much the same. Amy, our heroine, is telling a story. As letters--and words--begin to fall from the sky their friends begin to get involved--some would say over-involved--in the storytelling process. Will Amy EVER finish telling Mervin a story?
My thoughts: I liked this one. I think Red Pandas are adorable. If you do too, then you might want to read this one. This is definitely a friendship themed story. I liked the ending!
Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 7 out of 10
Premise/plot: Letters are falling from the sky again in Venable's newest book! If you read and enjoyed Mervin the Sloth is About to Do The Best Thing in the World, then definitely seek out Amy the Red Panda is Writing the Best Story in the World. The premise is much the same. Amy, our heroine, is telling a story. As letters--and words--begin to fall from the sky their friends begin to get involved--some would say over-involved--in the storytelling process. Will Amy EVER finish telling Mervin a story?
My thoughts: I liked this one. I think Red Pandas are adorable. If you do too, then you might want to read this one. This is definitely a friendship themed story. I liked the ending!
Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 7 out of 10
December 24, 2017
Loved this. So cute
December 29, 2017
'Amy the Red Panda is Writing the Best Story in the World' by Colleen AF Venable, illustrated by Ruth Chan, revolves around Amy and her best friend Mervin, a sloth, and the story they are starting to write together. However, when Amy begins telling the story, she finds unwanted opinions coming from every other nearby animal. All of the ideas leave Amy uncertain of how to move forward with her story, and unsure whether she really wants to, since the illustrations show her to look terribly confused and upset about all of the unsolicited advice she is getting.
The story shows how sometimes people throw their opinions into the mix without being asked, and dealing with this is never easy. Sometimes people have a vision, as Amy does in this book, and losing that as a result of so many people coming out of the woodwork with their own thoughts on the matter can certainly be aggravating. Instead of finding the path she wants to take with her writing, she finds herself giving up. Then her best friend Mervin chucks one of the letters on the page at Amy, and she finds herself smack in the middle of a letter fight. She comes to realize that her friendship with Mervin beats anything that had already happened that day, which proves the fact that sometimes people just have to sit back and let life happen to them rather than trying to make stories up on their own.
Some of the best decisions in life come out of seeing where life takes you and not overthinking things. Even when others are doing the overthinking, it is still difficult. Figuring out one's own story and path in life and shaping it the way one wants it rather than how others are saying to do so is some of the best advice this story offers.
*Review originally posted at YABooksCentral.com*
Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Freshman Fourteen' and 'Sweet Fifteen,' Young Adult Novels
The story shows how sometimes people throw their opinions into the mix without being asked, and dealing with this is never easy. Sometimes people have a vision, as Amy does in this book, and losing that as a result of so many people coming out of the woodwork with their own thoughts on the matter can certainly be aggravating. Instead of finding the path she wants to take with her writing, she finds herself giving up. Then her best friend Mervin chucks one of the letters on the page at Amy, and she finds herself smack in the middle of a letter fight. She comes to realize that her friendship with Mervin beats anything that had already happened that day, which proves the fact that sometimes people just have to sit back and let life happen to them rather than trying to make stories up on their own.
Some of the best decisions in life come out of seeing where life takes you and not overthinking things. Even when others are doing the overthinking, it is still difficult. Figuring out one's own story and path in life and shaping it the way one wants it rather than how others are saying to do so is some of the best advice this story offers.
*Review originally posted at YABooksCentral.com*
Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Freshman Fourteen' and 'Sweet Fifteen,' Young Adult Novels
August 1, 2018
No, it's not the best story in the world, but it's an important one. The final version of the story is very simple, and a good childhood story, but the important thing in this tale is that letting someone else decide what YOUR creative effort should be is probably not a good idea. In this case, where all of Amy's friends want to change her story to make it more like what THEY want, is an excellent showcase of this. Since Colleen Venable spent time as both a graphic novel writer and as a book designer, I can see where this attitude comes from. :-)
The point is that a story created by committee is not always a good thing, even if it's well-intentioned, and in this case Amy didn't start out to write the best story in the world. That concept was sort of inflicted by the narrator. All Amy wanted to do was write a story, and the result is a cute one.
The point is that a story created by committee is not always a good thing, even if it's well-intentioned, and in this case Amy didn't start out to write the best story in the world. That concept was sort of inflicted by the narrator. All Amy wanted to do was write a story, and the result is a cute one.
February 28, 2021
Amy is trying to tell a story, but she is getting a lot of advice from all of her friends. It shouldn’t be “once upon a time” it should be twice. “Everyone knows two is better than one.” And why does the main character have to be a huge dragon? With all these suggestions, Amy can’t put any more thoughts down on paper and all her friends are getting impatient for the story to continue.
The anguish of the blank page ... or maybe it’s the tyranny of conflicting characters fighting for space on the page in your head. 😆 Luckily, Mervin the sloth, is there to help his friend relax. And when Amy relaxes, she manages to find that story.
The anguish of the blank page ... or maybe it’s the tyranny of conflicting characters fighting for space on the page in your head. 😆 Luckily, Mervin the sloth, is there to help his friend relax. And when Amy relaxes, she manages to find that story.
February 5, 2018
Amy the Red Panda wants to tell a great story, but she deals with interruption after interruption. Her friends point out important characteristics of a good story - there should be a main character and a good plot! When Amy hits a word stumbling block, it takes a letter fight with her friends to give her the inspiration - and story - to continue.
A great extension activity for the book is to have your kiddos start a letter fight. You can throw paper letters, foam letters (safely of course). Experiment with building magnetized letters on various surfaces.
A great extension activity for the book is to have your kiddos start a letter fight. You can throw paper letters, foam letters (safely of course). Experiment with building magnetized letters on various surfaces.
June 30, 2018
What an absolutely adorable, metafictive story. As words fall from the sky, Amy attempts to write the best story in the world, but keeps getting lots of unnecessary input from her well-meaning friends. They all want a part of the creative process, and that's a very real problem to have out there in the real world! But overall, this story was so cute. There was a lovely, tiny subplot, and the animals were just darling. This was really, really pleasant.
Review cross-listed here!
Review cross-listed here!
January 1, 2021
Hummmmmm. I like the way this is done. Amy is trying to write a story and it’s supposed to be the best story ever! However all it’s friends think the story should be about and contain different elements if it is to be their best story ever. Amy finally finds a perfect way to write the story. I liked the story, but at the same time I didn't. It's hard to explain. Plus it would be really hard to use at storytime.
August 18, 2023
karen's review has red panda gifs, so go over there and check it.
My favorite true fact about red pandas, which has nothing to do with this story, is that they are adept at breaking out of zoos. My favorite thing about Venable is that she writes funny stories about critters.
Oh, and the art is adorable.
Library copy
My favorite true fact about red pandas, which has nothing to do with this story, is that they are adept at breaking out of zoos. My favorite thing about Venable is that she writes funny stories about critters.
Oh, and the art is adorable.
Library copy
August 13, 2018
A red panda is under a lot of pressure to write the best story by her friends. can she do it? Simple words but big concept and lots of characters talking. I loved the letter fight.. preschool and up
November 17, 2017
A fun and adorable metafictional romp.
December 9, 2017
and this is why you don't tell people you're writing a book. lots of lulz.
December 11, 2017
No Pressure or ANYTHING, but this was NOT the best story in the World (haha).
January 5, 2018
A very silly book! I would recommend it to 5-7 year olds. Lots of fun!
February 28, 2018
Not sure of the message at the end, but I think the intentions are there.
And this is one of the ONLY picture books about red pandas I’ve ever seen!
And this is one of the ONLY picture books about red pandas I’ve ever seen!
June 10, 2018
Adorable pictures and a SLOTH, but just not enough content.
August 22, 2018
pair with the Violet & Victor books as well as More Bears. Any other books with speech bubbles?
August 28, 2024
Art 4 stars
August 2, 2020
At first, I didn't give this book enough credit. It's actually really smart and well written. I like this book a lot more than I expected. Also, the main character is a red panda, that isn’t very common character choice. Keep in mind I don't have a copy yet.
Cover
I've never been a fan of oversized titles and creator names. I actually felt challenged to pick up the book and go through it. (Maybe it's because I'm and author but I felt this aggression on the title.) Needless to say, it did its job I have to admit that, actually the title is PERFECT for this book. This is the style, and structure the book has. Any criticize I have is null and void at surface level.
Actually, the first thing I saw was the Sloth. As a fan of sloths, I had to take a closer look.
Interior
Story
I actually think the way this book was handled was really smart. Mixing the concept of writing books with the idea of, “Too many cooks in the kitchen,” is inspiring. There is pressure receiving constant suggestions, opposing suggestions, and losing your original vision. Even the way creative exhaustion and recovering from writer’s block was handled was done brilliantly. (As I’m writing this, I’m still realizing how deep this book went.)
I need to put it out there I just loved the Dentist section of this book and I actually heard Pascha’s voice when I read that section.
The End (no spoilers)
I find it really interesting that at the end it’s almost like the story doesn’t even matter. What Amy ends up writing could be seen as anti-climactic and a little basic but really the lesson really isn’t in what was written but to write what you want to write as long as you like what is written.
Illustrations
I can’t really review the illustrations at this time.
Cover
I've never been a fan of oversized titles and creator names. I actually felt challenged to pick up the book and go through it. (Maybe it's because I'm and author but I felt this aggression on the title.) Needless to say, it did its job I have to admit that, actually the title is PERFECT for this book. This is the style, and structure the book has. Any criticize I have is null and void at surface level.
Actually, the first thing I saw was the Sloth. As a fan of sloths, I had to take a closer look.
Interior
Story
I actually think the way this book was handled was really smart. Mixing the concept of writing books with the idea of, “Too many cooks in the kitchen,” is inspiring. There is pressure receiving constant suggestions, opposing suggestions, and losing your original vision. Even the way creative exhaustion and recovering from writer’s block was handled was done brilliantly. (As I’m writing this, I’m still realizing how deep this book went.)
I need to put it out there I just loved the Dentist section of this book and I actually heard Pascha’s voice when I read that section.
The End (no spoilers)
I find it really interesting that at the end it’s almost like the story doesn’t even matter. What Amy ends up writing could be seen as anti-climactic and a little basic but really the lesson really isn’t in what was written but to write what you want to write as long as you like what is written.
Illustrations
I can’t really review the illustrations at this time.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews