This original fairy tale is set in the time of China’s ancient celestial empire when the world was filled with a multitude of wonderful and mythical creatures. It is the story of the first panda the world has ever seen, Lord Beishung, “the rarest, most magical and wisest of all creatures in creation.” He helps a poor young shepherd boy, Kung the fluteplayer, whose life has been changed by the appearance of three strangers. Kung must embark on a great journey, a journey made perilous by evil wizards, phantoms and magical beasts. The Emperor’s Panda first appeared in the wake of the very first Panda visitors to Canada. Nearly 30 years ago, Qing Qing and Quan Quan were guests of the Toronto Zoo for three months and were the author’s inspiration for this charming story. The release of this new edition is to mark the arrival of Da Mao and Er Shun: Canada’s latest Panda visitors. It is also an opportunity for a new generation of children to be enthralled by this magical tale.