Poonam Mistry graduated with a degree in graphic design and illustration from the University of Hertfordshire in England. Her style incorporates her love of nature and her Indian roots and explores the relationships between pattern, shape, and color. She has been short-listed for the Kate Greenaway Medal three times: in 2019 for her debut picture book, You're Safe with Me; in 2020 for You're Snug with Me; and in 2021 for How the Stars Came to Be. Poonam Mistry lives in Leicester, England.

Mistry's ink and digital art is truly stunning, mixing several different contrasting patterns. Inspired by her Indian heritage, she has created mesmerizing, abstract shapes that come together in a dazzling landscape of swirls and deep colors that evoke the natural elements. Never verging on didactic, the text has a lovely flow to it, with a fablelike structure that finds Panther learning an important lesson about seeing the true beauty in himself. An eye-catching, elegantly illustrated, and tenderly told tale of burgeoning self-confidence.
--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Rich colors and spellbinding patterns add a dreamlike quality to this fable about being true to yourself.
--Foreword Reviews

The steady pace, formal tone, and regal subject lend this folkloric tale a satisfyingly performative flair, but the true drama comes in the stylized, intricate illustrations that have a crisp, stamp-like precision, rife with geometric patterning and movement.
--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Mesmerizing visuals underline the beauties of nature and of embracing oneself.
--The Horn Book (starred review)

In one of the fall's most delightful picture books, a sad black panther feels unseen and unloved because he is so plain next to his big cat cousins' stripes and spots. But the moon illuminates the secret of his own beauty, and teaches Panther to love himself. Mistry's illustrations provide multiple patterns of light and color for kids to explore. A stunningly beautiful book.
--Los Angeles Times

Publisher: Bound to Stay Bound Books

Pub date: 2024-10-01

Length: 40 pages