Discover the whimsical tale of friendship between one man and his gold
pan, and their journey in the wake of the Gold Rush.
"A plucky pan is a prospector's devoted companion as they venture
through the Alaskan interior. But when their search turns up empty, Pan
begins to wonder if he's broken in this lighthearted glimpse into gold
rush history."
--New York Public Library, Best Books for Kids (Nonfiction History)
"Though the story is humorous and the protagonist playful, there is some
meaty geology and history to be mined within, including information on
iron pyrite (aka fool's gold: 'Drat!') and how to pan for gold. Souva's
illustrations employ geometric shapes and a muted palette, investing Pan
with appealing personality via eyebrows, eyes, and mouth. Backmatter
expands upon the story for readers curious to know more. While the book
is sure to appeal to educators, especially those teaching about the
various gold rushes in western American history, the amusing adventures
of Pan and Pedro hold broad appeal for read-alouds with many and varied
audiences beyond the classroom. A sweet little nugget of a story."
--Kirkus Reviews
Pedro and his pan go on an exciting adventure together--to strike gold!
They hike mountains, whack through bushes, and wade through streams as
they sift through dirt and gravel in search of the hidden nuggets. But
as time goes by without any success, Pan begins to worry that he is
broken. Will he and Pedro ever find what they're looking for? Inspired
by the true story of Felix Pedro, a prospector who launched one of the
richest gold rushes in Alaska's history, Pedro's Pan offers a glimpse
into American history as well as educates how gold panning works in a
fun and exciting way.
