I was originally inspired to write Percy Panda by my wife, Laura. Her Nanny May bought a small, toy panda bear for Laura on her first birthday. In fact, Laura brought her favourite teddy, Percy Panda, everywhere she went, including the first day at primary school, the local park, and when Laura’s family moved upstairs. After listening to Laura’s childhood memories, I re-imagined myself as Percy Panda in this magical story, where he was granted life by his Fairy Godmother, in Child’s Play toy store where he lived.
I decided to introduce further characters and events from Laura’s past, including the nosey, next door neighbour, Mrs Abrams. Her house and garden were pristine, and once a week, Mrs Abrams scrubbed her front door steps until they gleamed. She thought of herself as a detective, often seen standing at her window, eager to find out what was going on.
Mrs Abrams prided herself on knowing everybody’s business. Laura actually witnessed Mrs Abrams chucking cold water over Laura’s ginger cat, Bimbo, when he strayed into her garden.
Percy Panda
When Laura was around eleven years old, her Nanny May was diligently spring cleaning. She soon spotted Percy Panda sitting with the other teddies on the pink cushion of the wicker chair. He had noticeable holes showing, and his stuffing was seeping out. Without hesitation, Nanny May, who disliked any kind of mess, picked Percy Panda up, dropping him into a black rubbish sack. Later on that afternoon when Laura returned home from school, she was most upset when Percy Panda was nowhere to be seen!
I felt truly elated to finally have Percy Panda published, but also felt an overwhelming desire to write a worthy sequel. Rocky had always been a central character in Percy Panda, so inevitably, he seemed the right choice for a sequel. The Search for Rocky, continued when Rocky joined Percy Panda, reunited with Laura & her family, after their close encounter with the Witch.
Laura and her family often holidayed in Lyme Regis, Dorset, staying at Granny’s house; a friend of the family.
Percy Panda was critiqued and edited by Doug Watts, Jacqui Bennett Writers Bureau, giving the story more polish and character. As it is most difficult to find recognition with traditional publishers, I decided to research the self-publishing route, finally selecting Word-2-Kindle. They gave Percy Panda an optional basic proofread, which was subsequently published on Amazon KDP platforms, in March, 2024.
After further author revisions, Word-2-Kindle proofread The Search for Rocky, before being published on Amazon KDP, in July, 2025.
To date, Percy Panda and The Search for Rocky, are my greatest published bodies of work. Both titles are children’s first chapter book, for ages 6-9 years, available in paperback & e-book editions. The Search for Rocky was created to further develop the characters of these lifelong friends, encountering so many epic adventures together. Then, there is Laura, who welcomed Percy Panda & Rocky into her kind & caring family. May, Laura’s firm but fair grandmother, & Ginger, the boisterous family cat.
Their stories form part of a book series: The Magical Adventures of Percy Panda & Friends. The third book is a work-in-progress, entitled, Ginger, the Family Cat, with a potential fourth instalment: The Fairy Godmother & the Witch: The Early Years.
I do hope my readers enjoy Percy Panda and The Search for Rocky as much as I loved writing them.
(c) Anthony Gapper
About The Search for Rocky
“Quick! This way!” Implored Granny, switching on her torch. “Keep going, just in case that thing gets down here too!”
Rocky, the rocking horse, was warmly welcomed into Laura’s home. Best friends, Rocky and Percy Panda, reunited once more, looked forward to new and exciting adventures together.
Rocky had looked tired and worn out for some time now. One day, a nervous Rocky was brought to the upholsterers to be repaired, but a few weeks later mysteriously vanished.
Has anybody seen Rocky?
Is Rocky in any kind of danger?
Follow this magically uplifting story, where a determined Percy Panda and Laura search for Rocky, enlisting the help of the Fairy Godmother and Ginger, the family cat.
“Charlotte told me that the owner of the upholsterers had no idea how this happened. Rocky was there when he locked up last night, but this morning, he was nowhere to be seen!”
Percy Panda Links
https://www.amazon.ie/Percy-Panda-Anthony-Gapper/dp/B0CYY5J97D
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Percy-Panda-Anthony-Gapper/dp/B0CYY5J97D
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Percy-Panda-Anthony-Gapper-ebook/dp/B0CWDL9FJL
https://www.amazon.com/Percy-Panda-Anthony-Gapper-ebook/dp/B0CWDL9FJL
https://www.amazon.com/Percy-Panda-Anthony-Gapper/dp/B0CYY5J97D
The Search for Rocky Links
https://www.amazon.ie/Search-Rocky-Magical-Adventures-Friends/dp/B0FKGZVG88
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Search-Rocky-Magical-Adventures-Friends-ebook/dp/B0FKC55QJ2
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Search-Rocky-Magical-Adventures-Friends/dp/B0FKGZVG88
https://www.amazon.com/Search-Rocky-Magical-Adventures-Friends-ebook/dp/B0FKC55QJ2
https://www.amazon.com/Search-Rocky-Magical-Adventures-Friends/dp/B0FKGZVG88
Email Queries
awgapper@yahoo.co.uk
tonygapper2019@gmail.com
Anthony Gapper will be signing copies of both Percy Panda and The Search for Rocky at 2.00pm on Saturday, 27 September, 2025 at Castlebar Library.
Read more from Anthony on Writing.ie here.
