Dear Mummy, I’ve got something to share with you… I’ve been receiving mail in the post from a Panda. Yes, you heard me right. A Panda. But not any old Panda. A Panda that can read and write. Actually this Panda is helping ME to read and write-through clever little letters sent through the post.
My postie must think I’m a rock star the amount of mail I’ve been getting recently with my name on it. In fact it’s just my Panda Post. A letter that comes via the Royal Mail every week as part of a monthly subscription that cost £9.99 and can be cancelled at anytime with no monthly contract. Envelopes are embellished with a drawing on the outside which gives you a small clue to what’s inside. Each week I patiently wait for it to arrive and rush to open it after school. You can’t miss it with the child’s name large and clear on the address.
I usually tear it open on the sofa in front of my mummy and we sit and read through the letter together. Even though I’m at school some of the words I need help with as I read through them for the first time. I tend to read my Panda mail after school when I get home or at weekends depending on how busy I am. When I say read…I mean that term very loosely as you see I still can’t read very well (don’t let this blog fool you – we all know who I dictate this through..my PA).
Each letter I receive has a theme, as panda writes to me depicting a short story. We find the characters Panda talks about funny and engaging. Panda Post helps with my reading confidence and through the excitement of getting my own mail through the post it also encourages me to read. Its great extra reading practice which reflects what I’ve been learning in school. I have a little folder where I can store all my A4 sheets (which also get sent through the post with some stickers) and this allows me to re-read the letters. I even wanted to take it into school and show my friends.
Once I get the panda post in my little hand I rip it open in a flash sometimes failing to notice I actually rip the contents too!! Oops. I tend to sit on the sofa and look at the words and form the sounds. It’s great for helping with my phonics. My mummy is a graphic designer and appreciates the print quality and the clever illustrations and typography. The attention to detail is great and even the postage stamps have been considered with the majority of them featuring little characters.
Panda Post is written by children’s author and mum, Dr Yasmin Finch and artist Wiwin Papilaya. Yasmin is a published children’s author and as a mum knows how to engage with children. All letters complement the UK Phonics National Curriculum which is reassuring for my folks.
With all the school homework stuffed into my book bag its just the right amount of extra reading, however we’d love to see different textures of paper to help improve the post from panda or even a little reward or badge once in a while, like a surprise letter. We think it’s great that children get the opportunity to write back to panda as well and the return address features on their website.
Overall it’s a really nice subscription service which is fun and educational for kids and I can’t wait to receive more correspondence from my favourite panda.
love Bella x
Disclaimer: We were sent post from panda in order to conduct our review all thoughts are our own.
SaveSave
SaveSave
dearmummyblog.com 
This is a pretty cool concept, I wish they had that here (Australia). #FamilyFunLinky
Oh how cool is this as a subscription idea! I bet it is so much fun seeing want comes each week and I love they use the drawing on the front to give you a clue.
Oh this is such cute idea. I use to love getting post as a child and would have loved this kind of thing . I love that it also helps children with reading such a great idea.
What a cute subscription service and I love that it is only £9.99. How lovely that you get panda post in the mail I bet you get super excited!
awww what a cute idea, my son would love this as he likes to feel like an adult so when he receives something in the post he is super excited X #familyfunklinky
I saw your youtube video of this yesterday – it looks awesome! H 🙂
i home educate and this looks an interesting addition to our learning , i would be interested in seeing more on this
Awwh, what a cute subscription idea. I have a niece that would love this!
This is such a cute idea! I already sense that Max is going to struggle with reading and writing, but he absolutely loves getting things in the post so I could see this really igniting his interest. #familyfunlinky
Yes it really helps keep the reading momentum going! I love getting the letters!
This is such a cool concept and a really nice thing to look forward to x
You do know that Panda Posts are really ghost written by a cheetah,right? We just wanted to share that with you…..
Noooooooooo! There’s a giant panda AND a cheetah scribbling away! 😉
Sort of like a Holmes and Watson duo!!!
What a lovely idea. I struggle getting Sebby to read sometimes but know he would love to get his own post
What a great post! I love that this is a subscription idea a lot of fun for the kids.
What a lovely concept! Looks like you are really enjoying learning to read and write with Panda.
What a great idea, this looks like a fun way for kids to learn how to read and write.
You must feel so special getting your own letters which help you with your reading from the cute stories and illstrations. I love the idea of being able to get your children into reading more and this would be a lovely thing to subscribe to when my daughter is older.
My boys would absolutely love this and what a great idea plus a fantastic way to nurture and enhance reading skills in a fun way
It’s such a wonderful idea to receive letters from a panda to encourage children to read and write more. I will look into it!
This is such a fun subscription service, especially that it is educative as well and helps children practice their reading. The Panda is a brilliant idea as the sender.
Oh my goodness I love the illustrations. What a lovely idea for a subscription service.
I love this! What a cute subscription service – would make a lovely little gift x
Well Bella, I got some very boring post this morning, so I am rather jealous of your Panda Post. That looks really exciting; it must be lovely to see a colourful envelope come through the post box. The pictures are so cute too. I may just have to sign up myself and get some better letters in the post!
What a unique and alternative subscription idea. I love how creative and thoughout it is and that the kids can write back and get really involved to keep them interested
What a lovely letter subscription service.
Wow! That is such a cute subscription idea. Panda’s are so cute too!!
This is such a cool idea, all kids would love getting letters through the post.
Thank you for joining #FamilyFunLinky x