Book Title: Bird/Dog
Author(s): Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan and Mrinalini Levin-Srinivasan
Publisher: Niyogi Books Private Limited
Number of Pages: 160
ISBN: 9347762091
Date Published: Jul. 20, 2026
Book Review
Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan and Mrinalini Levin-Srinivasan’s “Bird/Dog” is a warm children’s chapter book about two creatures who believe the other has the better life. Bird has the open sky but longs for a home, while Dog has a family and safety but dreams of life beyond the fence. The book uses two alternating voices, which gives it a neat rhythm: readers move between Bird’s restlessness and Dog’s curiosity, and the contrast makes their eventual friendship feel earned rather than forced.
Shobha’s writing is clear, tender, and unhurried, with short chapters that keep the story easy to follow. The pacing is gentle rather than dramatic; the adventures unfold steadily, giving young readers time to notice how each character changes.
The language is simple but thoughtful, avoiding complicated words while still asking big questions about freedom, belonging, desire, and contentment. This gives the book a quiet emotional depth that can appeal to adults as well as children.
Its slight weakness is that the message sometimes feels very clearly stated: the idea that “the grass is always greener on the other side” is useful, but the story occasionally explains its meaning rather than letting readers discover it fully.
Even so, the collaboration between grandmother and granddaughter gives the book a genuine, affectionate voice. “Bird/Dog” is not a wild, fast adventure, but a soft, reflective one—best read slowly, ideally with someone ready to talk about what home and independence really mean.
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About the Author(s)
Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan is an award-winning author whose books for children and adults have been published in India and the United States. In recognition of her work in narration, she received India’s National Film Award for Best Narration in 2022. Her notable books include It’s Time to Rhyme, which won PublishingNext’s Children’s Book of the Year award in the 8+ category in 2022, and Prince with a Paintbrush: The Story of Raja Ravi Varma.
Her writing spans fiction, nonfiction, poetry and picture books, with her work also featured in international literary journals and anthologies. A regular participant at literary festivals, Shobha draws inspiration from her experiences across cultures. She divides her time between California and India and embraces her identity as a global citizen.
Mrinalini Levin-Srinivasan is a young writer and student at Lanier Middle School in Houston, Texas, whose passion for reading and writing grew significantly during the pandemic. Spending long hours immersed in books helped nurture her literary interests and creative abilities. She serves as captain of her school’s Speech and Debate Team, is a Lanier Leader and belongs to the National Junior Honor Society.
Mrinalini has earned several accolades in writing and public speaking competitions organised by the University Interscholastic League and founded a Banned Books Club to encourage conversations around literature and reading. Her interests extend beyond writing to Bharatanatyam, Carnatic music, clarinet and competitive swimming with HTX Swims. Having lived in six US states and two countries, she brings a broad range of cultural experiences to her pursuits.
Swapna Peri is a Freelance blogger, book reviewer, narrator, and copy editor.
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