Review by Horn Book Review
A gentle panther loves the forest, but he's afraid to scale the tall trees and feels different from the other majestic cats. He admires Tiger's bold stripes, Lion's bright mane, and Leopard's dazzling spots. The panther collects feathers to mimic Lion's mane, but Wind blows them away, telling Panther he doesn't need them. He uses sticky pollen to give himself stripes like Tiger's, but Rain washes them away. When he attaches leaves to his fur to resemble Leopard's spots, Sun dries them out and they fall off. Disheartened, the panther turns to Moon. Enchanted by the moonlight, the panther forgets his fear and climbs high above the trees. Moon points out that Panther has a special gift "to be the color of the night," and, awestruck by the beauty of the night sky, the protagonist embraces his true self as a midnight panther. Mistry's intricate patterns, reminiscent of indigenous South Asian art forms, teem with life and serve as the perfect backdrop for the panther's dark coat. The fable-like story unfolds to show how the panther's timid nature and self-doubt slowly grow into self-confidence. Mesmerizing visuals underline the beauties of nature and of embracing oneself. Sadaf SiddiqueJanuary/February 2025 p.73 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A panther learns to accept who he is. Gentle Panther isn't like the other bold, visually striking big cats in the forest. By day, he frolics with the butterflies and fish, "filling his heart with joy," and by night, he ponders his existence and laments his loneliness. Unlike Tiger, Lion, and Leopard, he doesn't have stripes, a mane, or spots to set him apart. One day, he searches for a way to feel special. Using feathers, pollen, and leaves, he re-creates the distinct features of his fellow felines. Rain, Sun, and Wind, all anthropomorphized, are disappointed in his actions and work to sabotage his efforts. As night falls and Panther begins to despair, Moon encourages him to embrace his own special qualities, leading Panther to find his voice and his place in the forest. 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.(Picture book. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
