Just In Case

“Just In Case” – releasing next week – is a captivating and meaningful picture book that introduces children to the vital idea of saving...

Mitra

Oct 9

MITRA'S BOOK REVIEWS

Stay Updated with the Latest Reviews

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Just In Case

“Just In Case” – releasing next week – is a captivating and meaningful picture book that introduces children to the vital idea of saving...

Mitra

Oct 9

Another Tongue

Picture books about the trials and tribulations of learning a new language are often heavy and emotional reads. If you are looking for a...

Mitra

Oct 8

I Am We

A lyrical nonfiction picture book about the crow community – can it get more gorgeous than “I Am We”? – I doubt it! Though more than 40...

Mitra

Oct 7

The Festival of Lights

Have you checked out the latest book on Diwali by Namita Moolani Mehra? It is a delight to hold the book, turn the pages and the numerous...

Mitra

Oct 6

No More Chairs

“No More Chairs” deserves a place on every teacher’s read-aloud list this year. Inspired by a true story, this moving picture book...

Mitra

Oct 1

Band Nerd

If you’ve ever dismissed graphic novels as mere child’s play, “Band Nerd” is here to prove you wrong. This isn’t a light-hearted story...

Mitra

Sep 30

Next to Me

Here is yet another lovely picture book for the littlest ones! It is a book about noticing the interesting things around us. The...

Mitra

Sep 29

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ABOUT MITRA OF STORIES

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Welcome to "Mitra of Stories" (an "ally" of stories), your go-to place for insightful book reviews. Join me in exploring the children's literary world, one page at a time. Let's embark on this reading adventure together!

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Frank Murphy and Kayla Harren’s “…Like You/Ours” series has always held a special place in my heart. Just when I wondered what more could they possibly add to this beautiful collection, Frank, Carla and Kayla gift us with a new book that will bring every dog lover together in an instant!

Anyone who’s ever shared their life with a dog knows they are the most loyal, loving companions - reminding us to stay curious, find joy in life’s simple moments, and care deeply for those we love. They show us what unconditional love truly means, teaching us far more about kindness, patience, and living fully than we could ever hope to teach them.

A big thank-you to Sleeping Bear Press @sleepingbearpress for the DRC. As always, my thoughts are completely my own - and filled with gratitude!

Book releases on 15 April 2026.

#dog #picturebook #mitrasuggests #readlikeawolfeats #kidlit

“Off the Wall” is a lively tribute to the joy of creativity in motion. It all starts with one young girl, a blank wall, and a bucket of chalk. Soon more friends join them for a game of tic-tac-toe, and before long, chalk dust fills the air, hands get smeared with color, and the wall blossoms into something bigger and more beautiful than anyone imagined.

In this playful story, Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal come together one more time to celebrate the messy, marvelous energy of making art together. Readers of all ages will revel in its growing chaos and color, discovering how friendship and imagination can turn a simple wall into a masterpiece.

Perfect for preschool and Grade 1 and for all those who love getting messy with chalk-art!

Book releases on 26 May 2026.

@mollyidle @juanamartinezn #chalk #chalkart #collaboration #play #art #kidlit #readlikeawolfeats #mitraguggests

A charming and straightforward cat-and-mouse chase unfolds through the galleries of the Met, with each page transforming a work of art into part of the pursuit. Every piece is faithfully reimagined using its original materials and style - from ink paintings and medieval portraits to illuminated manuscripts, Egyptian tablets, and ancient pottery.

This is a jaw-droppingly gorgeous book made even more special because of the back matter where Brian Lies takes us through the creative process. He writes, “It would have been easy to create the illustrations in this book on a computer – to take a photo of an original artwork and edit Kitten in digitally. It was a greater challenge, and a whole lot more fun, to see if I could actually make pieces of art that looked like the originals…”

This book is a must-have in every art class!

@brianlies #catnap #kidlit #art #readlikeawolfeats #mitrasuggests

“Barbed Wire Between Us” is a striking reverso poem that bridges two generations of hardship. In its forward reading, it follows a Japanese American girl confined to an Oklahoma internment camp during World War II. When read backward, the poem uncovers the story of a Latina girl held in the same camp decades later, a victim of the U.S. migrant family separation policy.

It is also a reminder of harsh history repeating itself.

Book releases on 31 March 2026.

@miawenjen @_violeta.encarnacion_ #barbedwire #kidlit #immigrant #readlikeawolfeats #mitrasuggests

I’m elated to receive the DRC of my mentor and friend Shameer Bismilla’s new book “Zakee and the Quiet Magic of Being You” which hits the shelves on 4 November. A tender story about a quiet child, brought to life by Seyma Arslan’s illustrations, this book is a timely reminder for educators to strike a balance not only in the type of group work assigned in class but also between group work and individual tasks.

Beyond the literary and social-emotional merits of the book, this short review is in no way unbiased, for I’ve had the privilege of watching the author closely at work! As I flip through the DRC, I see Shameer’s perseverance and steadfastness in pursuing publication; I see his tenacity, resolve, and determination against all naysayers. Through numerous ups and downs, it serves as testament to the fact that that when you set your mind to a goal, it is surely achievable.

Congratulations, Mr. Shameer - the credit is ALL yours!

Coming up – a short interview with the author – stay tuned!

@symaarslann @shameer_reads #quiet #kidlit #quietkid #readlikeawolfeats #mitrasuggests

Now reading - the BIGGEST book release of the year! Do I need to say anything else? #jasonreynolds #coach #track #trackseries #coach

“Just In Case” – releasing next week – is a captivating and meaningful picture book that introduces children to the vital idea of saving seeds for the future. It explains, in an engaging and accessible way, why seed preservation matters and highlights the incredible work of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault – an underground storage facility near the North Pole that safeguards seeds from around the world.

The book offers a wealth of fascinating, age-appropriate facts, showing readers how and why the Seed Vault was created. It also shares real-life examples of how seed saving has already supported global food security.

The vibrant illustrations beautifully complement the text, making complex ideas easy to understand and visually engaging. “Just In Case” is an excellent addition to any classroom or library collection and a wonderful resource for teaching science, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.

@meganclendenan @cicchese.art #svalbard #kidlit #seedvault #readlikeawolfeats #mitrasuggests

Picture books about the trials and tribulations of learning a new language are often heavy and emotional reads. If you are looking for a humorous book that approaches the challenge of learning a new language in a lighter note, this one is just perfect. Drawing from the author’s own experiences, children adjusting to life in a new language will easily connect with the witty text and its bold, vibrant illustrations.

Thank you @nealporterbooks for the DRC. Opinion expressed is 100% my own and unbiased.

Book releases on 14 July 2026 – keep it on your radar!

@znayberg #language #kidlit #newlanguage #bilingual #readlikeawolfeats #mitrasuggests

A lyrical nonfiction picture book about the crow community – can it get more gorgeous than “I Am We”? – I doubt it!

Though more than 40 species of crows and ravens are found around the world, yet the raven was immortalized as a symbol of grief and sorrow by Edgar Allan Poe and the crow community is misunderstood even today. “I Am We” is the crow’s story of adaptation, told in first person point of view, and begs to be read aloud. The sweeping illustrations – especially the striking interplay of black, grey, and orange – make it truly breathtaking.

An excellent choice for read-alouds in Grades 1-2, and a perfect text for teaching poetry and point of view in upper elementary classrooms.

#crow #community #nonfiction #picturebook #kidlit #iamwe #readlikeawolfeats #mitrasuggests

Have you checked out the latest book on Diwali by Namita Moolani Mehra? It is a delight to hold the book, turn the pages and the numerous flaps! A must-buy this Deepavali! #diwali #deepavali #kidlit #picturebook #readlikeawolfeats #mitrasuggests

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Just In Case

MITRA'S BOOK REVIEWS

Stay Updated with the Latest Reviews

EXPLORE BOOK REVIEWS

Just In Case

Another Tongue

I Am We

The Festival of Lights

No More Chairs

Band Nerd

Next to Me

ABOUT MITRA OF STORIES

FOLLOW MITRA

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