Pedro's Pan (PDF)

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 2019 (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.