Tag Archives: panda kindergarten

And the Award Goes To…

Sigh…another cycle of the MacArthur Foundation Awards have come and gone, and yet another year when Panda Satire has not been recognized. There is a bright spot, however, even if it did not come to me personally. One award went to Gene Luen Yang, a graphic novelist, who is also the current US Ambassador of Children’s Literature. This is at least the second graphic novelist who has received this award, so I am taking this as an excellent sign that my graphic novel will get published and maybe even sell well. What the heck! Might as well be optimistic about the whole thing, right?

So, once again, here is my annual plea to the MacArthur Foundation to recognize Panda Satire as a worthy recipient of this award!

Why IS there no MacArthur Fellowship for Panda Satire, anyway?

Why IS there no MacArthur Fellowship for Panda Satire, anyway?

And in other news, for the last week, they have been announcing the winners of The Nobel Prize in various categories, with the Nobel Prize for Literature having been announced yesterday. Once again, Panda Satire has been ignored.

But what IS Panda Satire, anyway? We’re glad you asked!

Panda Satire, explained

Panda Satire, explained, not to mention, the first sight of the magical wand, two years before the birth of Pinky.

This just in!!!! The Nobel Prize for Literature goes to: The very Bob Dylan! I have always thought that he was one of the most profound poets to ever strum a guitar, and I couldn’t be happier! (Well, unless they awarded a prize in Panda Satire, but like that’s ever gonna happen.) Huzzah and congratulations to Bob Dylan (aka the other “Bob”) on this well deserved honor.

 

I just found out that October 1st was 24 hour comic day. Obviously I have been way too busy to find out in good time that this was happening. I will try to do better next year. In the meantime, here are some more panda classics for this Fabulous Furry Friday!

page 036 - meet the pandas copy

Inspired by my discovery of the San Diego Zoo website!

Inspired by my discovery of the San Diego Zoo website!

Speaking of being mauled by bears...

Speaking of being mauled by bears…I’m really hoping to go visit the panda ranches next year!

Privacy Policy Implementation

Privacy Policy Implementation…never let the pandy kindy get access to your panty drawer!

Have a great weekend! Stay tuned for more from Pinky’s campaign to achieve the Pink House!

Be the Bear!
Bob T Panda

Fabulous Furry Friday… Arrr!

There are TWO important “days” coming up. No, it’s not Pinky’s birthday again, or even mine for that matter. Saturday, September 17th is International Red Panda Day, and Monday, September 19th is Talk Like a Pirate Day!  Arrr! In honor of these days, Fabulous Furry Friday brings you encore presentation ‘toons of Red Pandas and Pirate adventures! Huzzah! I mean… Arrr!

And every day around here is Talk Like a Panda Day!

"They'll never catch me!"

“They’ll never catch me!”

Oh those red pandas! They are such characters!

Oh those red pandas! They are such characters!

And who can forget Mr. Wu’s Pirate adventure?

Yo ho ho and a bottle of BooBeer!

Yo ho ho and a bottle of BooBeer!

21) Rusty the scuppers, pirate crew...

21) Rusty the scuppers, pirate crew…

uh oh!

uh oh!

The penguins save the day!

The penguins save the day!

"You are right and Wu is wrong...I'll never do it again, mommy."

“You are right and Wu is wrong…I’ll never do it again, mommy.”

Yes, It is the official banner of International Talk Like a Pirate Day!!!!

Yes, It is the official banner of International Talk Like a Pirate Day!!!!

Have a great weekend! Don’t forget, there is still time to enter the drawing to win Toby’s book and swag! But you must visit and comment on THIS POST to have a chance to win! (US addresses only)

Be the Bear,
Bob T. Panda

 

Fabulous Fabulous Furry Friday

By the time this goes to press, the new twins of Zoo Atlanta will hopefully be one whole week old. I say hopefully, because as fabulous a mom as Lun Lun is, and as wonderfully dedicated and competent as the whole panda support staff is, baby pandas are incredibly fragile and many things can still go wrong. I’m not trying to be Debby Downer here. These are the facts and Nature is a hard mother sometimes. But today, when the cubs are not even 12 hours old, we in the panda community are rejoicing, and nobody rejoices like a panda!

So let’s party like a panda!!!!!

There's nothing on earth that I'd rather do....

There’s nothing on earth that I’d rather do….

Mehitabel gets even.

Mehitabel gets even.

What makes a panda run? Cuppycakes, of course!!!!

What makes a panda run? Cuppycakes, of course!!!!

The panda kindergarten in las vegas hotel room

What happens in the panda kindergarten, STAYS in the panda kindergarten

Legalize cake today! Prevent illicit cuppycake activities.

Legalize cake today! Prevent illicit cuppycake activities.

One panda's disaster is another panda's delight!

One panda’s disaster is another panda’s delight!

Escape! Come with me, little cake, so we can be alone together.

Escape! Come with me, little cake, so we can be alone together.

Be sure to tune in on Sunday for a special ‘toon from all the junior pandas of the Panda Chronicles!

Be the Bear!
Bob T Panda

Fabulous Furry Friday

Sometimes I have a really clear idea of what I want to do for Fabulous Furry Friday, like when it is some panda’s birthday or something has happened in the news that I don’t want to just stick my head under the bed to forget, but this week, that is not the case.

It is time for the new school year to start, up here in the Northern Hemishphere, so maybe that would be a goos subject for today’s round of encore presentation ‘toons.

Let’s see what I can find, shall we?

Panda middle school!

Panda middle school!

The ORIGINAL panda kindergarten cartoon!

The ORIGINAL panda kindergarten cartoon!

4) what I imagined the pandas were saying.

the original inspiration for the panda chronicles kindergarten…

Nobody expects the Panda Kindergarten!

Nobody expects the Panda Kindergarten! By the way… you can get this on a mug  here!  

"Class....Claaaas....CLASS!!!!!!!!!

“Class….Claaaas….CLASS!!!!!!!!!

Stay tuned for more from Pinky’s Bear and Breakfast story coming up on Sunday! Till then,

Be the Bear!
Bob T Panda

 

Let the Games Begin!

The opening ceremonies are tonight, for the 2016 Summer Olympics taking place in Brazil, a country that, to my knowledge has NO pandas!!!! How can people live like that!?!?! So let the games begin! And no Olympic Games would be complete without…

CUE THE TORCH BEARS!!!! Huzzah!

Is that the twins I see before me? Don't tell Lun Lun

Is that the twins I see before me? Don’t tell Lun Lun

Did the Torch Bears take a wrong turn????

Did the Torch Bears take a wrong turn???? Remember the 2012 Torch Bears?

Pandanastics star, PO of Atlanta Zoo, practices for the Olympics, while the Torch Bears continue their around the world journey. Where will they turn up next?

Pandanastics star, PO of Atlanta Zoo, practices for the Olympics, while the Torch Bears continue their around the world journey. Where will they turn up next? That torch looks suspiciously like a cuppycake to me!

Never underestimate the power of a good "fart joke"

Never underestimate the power of a good “fart joke”

torch bears, money, selling olympic torch

What incident in Paris…Well may you ask! But now what will they do when they get to the Olympics?…..stay tuned!

Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion of this story!

Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion of this story!

Oh, those Torch bears!

Oh, those Torch bears!

And what Olympics themed Fabulous Furry Friday would be complete without one our all time favorites, Cookie Medals!

Huzzah!

Huzzah!I get all fluffy when I hear the Olympic theme song!

Going for the ...um...chocolate chip.

Going for the …um…chocolate chip.

See on Sunday, for the next episode of Phexit: the TRUE story!!!!!!

Be the Bear!
Bob T Panda

Please note…Pinky is…um…resting up for her appearance sunday and did not appear in today’s encore presentation.

 

Phexit 1

Phexit – Brexit – what’s the difference? Well, at least at first glance, Brexit did not involve pandas, although……if Scotland proceeds with its intention to consider another vote for independence, England would have no easy access to pandas, as in the Scottish pandas in Edinburgh!!!!

Dis will not stand!

But…ahem…anyway, after setting up last week’s Friday post, I realized I had missed an opportunity to celebrate the Wu Self right on his actual birthday!!!!! Fortunately, according to the International Birthday Season codes and standards, today could STILL be considered Wu’s birthday season, (depending on how you interpret the rules) so along with today’s feature brand new ‘toon, allow me to rectify my grievous omission and add a few classic Wu-toons into today’s post.

Meanwhile, it is not enough that Pinky has pitched a hissy fit over the alleged slight from the Meihems, vis-a-vis their party invitation or lack thereof, but now, she has yet another sinister web with which she tries to ensnare Bubba. Has this panda no boundaries?

Pinky, do you really think that Bubba will fall for this?

Pinky, do you really think that Bubba will fall for this?

And while Bubba is beginning to be a little wary of Pinky’s plans (especially when they concern him or Banky Pig) he is impressed by her clever bending of the societal rules.

And now, for a rousing 4th Birthday tribute to the Wu Self!

"Howdy do! I'm Mr. Wu! Who are you?"

“Howdy do! I’m Mr. Wu! Who are you?” This was my first ‘toon starring Mr. Wu

"Wu calls his dance, 'Ode to a Weaf' "

“Wu calls his dance, ‘Ode to a Weaf’ “

An explorer's work is never done.

An explorer’s work is never done.

It is so hard for a small panda to prevail....

It is so hard for a small panda to prevail….

Be the Bear!
Bob T. Panda

The Olympics are Coming!

The Olympics are coming! Cue the torch bears! Yes, athletes are heading to Brazil to compete in this year’s summer games, and while I have not done any new Olympic cartoons for our favorite pandatheletes, I do have a nice stash of ‘toons from previous games.

Grab your pop corn and overly sugary beverage and sit yer butt down to enjoy these encore presentations of The Panda Olympics!!!!

Huzzah!

Maybe they have a point...

Maybe they have a point…

See, What did I tell you?

See, What did I tell you?

another boring rerun

another boring rerun, but so much fun!

I love the torch bears, don’t you?

Pandas aren't dopes!

Pandas aren’t dopes!

The early days of panda rights groups....

The early days of panda rights groups….and early days of panda satire!

What do you think of my blob?

What do you think of my blob?

'and for the record, it's just "giant slalom." It's not just for pandas.'

‘and for the record, it’s just “giant slalom.” It’s not just for pandas.’

And one of my all time favorite pand-olympic games ‘toon…

Pandas using performance enhancing substances? Say it isn't so!

Pandas using performance enhancing substances? Say it isn’t so!

Well that it for this week! Maybe (if I remember) we’ll have more Olympic pandas next week.

Till then,
Be the Bear,
Bob T Panda

 

Cruise Control is Not Auto Pilot

When I fist started drawing panda satire, I made a cartoon about Bob as a young panda, having a love affair with his MePhone and confusing Cruise Control with Auto Pilot. This was long before there was talk out in the world of Google or Tesla’s self driving cars. Once again, the Panda Chronicles predicts the future! (See Scottish Panda’s own Panda Clan Tartan)

What could be more scottish than Pandas?

What could be more scottish than Pandas?

For today’s Fabulous Furry Friday, I thought we would revisit that cartoon from long ago, during my first year of pandaing around. (In case you might confuse cruise control with auto pilot)

Enjoy!

Cruise control is not...

Cruise control is not…

...auto pilot.

…auto pilot.

Bob has continued to have automotive problems, especially when the panda kindergarten gets their paws on his car…

Nothing like the panda kindergarten, out for a joyride in their jalopy!

Nothing like the panda kindergarten, out for a joyride in Bob’s jalopy!

 

So much for those new navigation systems...or is it "nagagation systems"?

So much for those new navigation systems…or is it “nagagation systems”?

Be the Bear
Bob T Panda

A Public Service Announcement.

Mr. Badger just returned from a trip to the mountains of our neighbors to the north, and one of the things he saw while there lead me to think that the time was NOW for this very important public service announcement. What he saw was a grizzly bear crossing the highway just a little way in front of his car, and then what he saw was a bunch of people following it with cameras at the ready. I am not making this up.

I am only going to say this once (a year):

Do. Not. Try. To. Take. A. Selfie. With. A. Grizzly!!!!!

Hey! That reminds me of a song!

...if I were a panda, yadda dah dah da- da- da- AAARGH! I can't stop!!!!!

…if I were a panda, yadda dah dah da- da- da- AAARGH! I can’t stop!!!!!

And now, our Salute to Stupid Selfies!!!!

Coming to a mountain road in France, really soon:

Who says real life can't be funny?

Who says real life can’t be funny?

What was that they said about being prohibited from taking a selfie with a tiger?

Much better to take a selfie with pandas!

Much better to take a selfie with pandas!

You know we're just kidding about this, right?

You know we’re just kidding about this, right?

And then Pinky thought this would be a really great fundraiser for her campaign…

I really had no idea what she was up to.

I really had no idea what she was up to.

And then maybe since you can’t take a selfie with a tiger, you could take one at…for instance…the running of the bulls!

AAAAAAhhhHHHHHH!

AAAAAAhhhHHHHHH!

Probably safer to just take a selfie in the Oval Office during your White House Tour…

Mei should not be getting all excited like this in her condition!

“Get those pandas off my desk!”

Have a Fabulous Furry Friday, and while you are having a Fabulous Fourth of July, you leave off with the fireworks and just load up on hot dogs and beans.

Be the Bear,
Bob T Panda

 

 

Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant?

I love Roz Chast’s memoir Can’t We talk About Something More Pleasant?, and while she was recounting the story of her aging parents, I think the phrase is particularly appropriate today. Today, we are not going to talk about any of the appalling news that has happened in several parts of the world, or about political candidates and the stupid, insensitive things that they may or may not have said.

We are going panda panda panda with some of the cutest panda cartoons of all times.

2) Life on the panda ranch

Like this one from the way back files…

 

3) This cartoon appeared in Henry Nicholls' book The Way of the Panda

This cartoon appeared in Henry Nicholls’ book The Way of the Panda

You can't just DO stuff. You need instruction from an expert!

You can’t just DO stuff. You need instruction from an expert!

How IS this different from Pinky's normal bossiness?

How IS this different from Pinky’s normal bossiness?

What the well dressed panda cub is wearing this season!

What the well dressed panda cub is wearing this season!

When I first started drawing panda satire, I went through this intensive period of what I called, “Learning From the Masters” and immersed myself in books of collected cartoons by Bill Watterson, (Calvin and Hobbes) Garry Trudeau (Doonesbury) Steven Pastis (Pearls Before Swine) and Darby Conley (Get Fuzzy) among others. recently, I received the exhibition catalog from a 2014 show of Bill Watterson’s original cartoons at Ohio State University’s Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum. I’m in the middle of reading an interview with Watterson and it is full of Calvin-ish wisdom. Have I mentioned Calvin and Hobbes is my favorite cartoon series ever?

Oh dear, the Mei-hem twinkies have made Pinky mad. Uh oh.

Oh dear, the Mei-hem twinkies have made Pinky mad. Uh oh.

Anyway, although I was making notes on some of the most significant points in the interview, I seem to have misplaced the paper I wrote them on. (this happens a lot around here) but if I may paraphrase some of the statements I loved best:

On the difference between editorial cartooning and comic strips: You get to make stuff up.

What characters say: When you are really in tune with your characters, it’s not so much writing dialog, but listening to the characters own voices.

Yeah, see? it IS Pinky saying all that stuff! I think I need to go on a road trip to all the cartoon museums in this country.

And because this will always be one of my favorite Wu-toons,

24) Dis. Will. Not. Stand!

Dis. Will. Not. Stand!

Mittens will return on Sunday. Stay tuned.

Be the Bear,
Bob T Panda