Here’s my final version of the overall story outline for the picture book.

Barry the Panda lived in a zoo,

and spent most days eating bamboo.

He lived with a friend named Rory,

and now let us begin our story.

– –

There were other animals that lived near him,

like a bright orange Tiger named Tim.

Then there was a Bird called Blanche,

who perched herself high upon a branch.

Sally the Salmon was always around,

but never joined them above ground.

– – –

Barry loved his friends an awful lot,

but there was something they had that he did not.

He was jealous of all the attention,

but thought it best not to mention.

People came to see his many friends,

meanwhile he just sat their until the day ends.

– – –

He wondered all day as to what it could be,

what makes them so special for others to see?

Then a lightbulb appeared over his head,

but it wasn’t something that could be said.

– –

The next day he walked up to the Tiger named Tim,

and a weird look was placed upon him.

“Why are you orange and black?”

“I want to be noticed like you and the pack”.

– –

Barry slumped back down and ate his bamboo,

he looked around and just didn’t know what he could do.

Then he looked up with a sudden thought,

and this time he wasn’t to be caught.

– –

Blanche was enjoying the sun.

until Barry walked over to spoil the fun.

Blanche noticed something odd about Barry’s fur,

so she decided to ask him about this weird spur.

“Why are you multicoloured, like me high up here?”

“I want to be noticed like you and feel clear”.

– – –

Once again Barry found himself alone,

he just sat there eating bamboo from within his home.

But for a third time he looked up to the sky,

as he’s got one more idea for which he can try.

– –

Swimming around and enjoying her day,

Sally looks up and has something to say.

“Barry why do you have scales on top of your hair?”

“I want to be noticed like the two of you there”.

– –

For a final time Barry returned to his home,

where this time he didn’t seem to be alone.

Rory was sitting close and chowing down on some bamboo,

he looked up and went to speak after every chew.

“Why do you insist on painting yourself?”

“I guess I’d like to be like everyone else”

– – –

“There’s no reason for hiding behind a mask.”

“Then what will get me attention and make people gasp?”

“You’re friendly. So be nice and people will notice.”

“That seems too easy, but I might as well try this.”

– –

Since this day, Barry hasn’t had to hide behind his friends.

He now knows that just being yourself is the best you can do.