About First Page Panda

Our Story

We all know pandas love to read, but did you know they also adore letting people know about new and recent books? That's why Alisa and Anna decided to launch First Page Panda, a place for middle grade and young adult authors to share excerpts from their work.

First Page Panda began as a cozy corner of the internet where the love of reading meets the playful spirit of a beloved black-and-white bear. The site was created to give middle grade and young adult authors a welcoming stage on which to share the opening moments of their newest novels. Those first pages often carry the most important spark of a story, and the founders wanted to make that spark easier for curious readers to find. By collecting excerpts in one friendly place, the site invites visitors to wander between voices and discover something unexpected, the way a reader might wander through a bookstore hoping to be surprised by a bright new cover and an even brighter opening line.

Behind the project are two writers with a shared passion for children's literature and a fondness for spotlighting fresh talent. They curate each featured excerpt with care, choosing passages that feel alive, emotional, and true to the heart of the book they represent. The selection leans toward stories that speak to young readers navigating friendship, family, school, and the slow, exciting process of growing up. Authors featured on the site range from debut voices finding their first audience to more established names eager to share a new direction. Together, these opening pages form a kind of literary sampler, offering a quick taste before readers decide whether to dive into a full novel.

Beyond excerpts, First Page Panda has grown into a small community space where readers, authors, and book lovers gather around shared enthusiasm. Contests and giveaways add a layer of excitement, encouraging visitors to comment, share, and connect with the wider world of children's fiction. Social media conversations extend the welcome, letting fans chat about favorite lines and recommend titles to friends. The site's bright, whimsical design mirrors that sense of fun, turning the simple act of reading a first page into something that feels like opening a gift. In doing so, it reminds everyone that the journey through a book truly begins long before the final chapter, in those very first words on the very first page.

At its core, First Page Panda is a celebration of stories written for young readers and the people who bring them to life. The blog continues to welcome new contributors, fresh excerpts, and enthusiastic visitors who believe that great books deserve to be discovered early and often. Readers can return regularly to find new openings, revisit beloved authors, and keep up with upcoming releases across the middle grade and young adult landscape. The site also serves as a reminder that sharing a book is itself an act of generosity, a way of passing along a favorite world to someone who has not yet stepped inside. That spirit of generous curiosity, paired with a love of language and a touch of panda charm, keeps the pages turning for everyone who stops by.

Featured Authors

First Page Panda is run by two authors who love spotlighting fresh voices in children's literature.

Mascot & Design

Our banner image and the First Page Panda mascot were created by Sheryl DePaolo.

Get in Touch

Are you an author with a new middle grade or young adult release? Send a note and tell us about your book.