The Shadow and the Ghost

by Cat Min

Shinbi is not a particularly ghosty ghost. At night she likes making tiny bouquets of things, and gazing at the far away stars. Haunting? Not so much. Even if that’s what the other ghosts like. In the daytime, in a meadow, sits a single rock, casting a single shadow, named Greem. He’d really like someone to talk to. But who? He writes one word on his lonely “Hi” and hopes someone will see it.  Sure enough, in the darkness of night, Shinbi finds the note! But who could have written it?  In a profound exploration of how friendship can break through barriers of time and circumstance, Cat Min introduces us to two unforgettable characters we’d all love to know.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Fantasy, Childrens, Ghosts, Fiction

1 pages, Audio CD

Published April 12, 2024

About the author

Cat Min is an illustrator, animator, and writer. Cat grew up as a shy kid in Hong Kong, where she spent most of her childhood drawing and making comic books out of printer paper and staples with her best friend. She studied animation and film at New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, and completed the Illustration & Visual Storytelling Summer Residency Program at the School of Visual Arts in New York. She is also a member of SCBWI. Her (not so) guilty pleasures are: McDonald's french fries, sappy romance comics, mobile escape game apps, visual novels, and all things cheese.

Reviews

[Stay Fetters · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When you see a shooting star, you make a wish. I wished for a friend. And it brought me to you."

The night sky makes an unlikely friendship possible.

This was a kindhearted and heartwarming read.

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lonely ghost wishes for a friend on night while gazing at constellations, and the next evening, Shinbi finds a note written on the rock she always sits on when stargazing.

Intrigued and curious, Shinbi begins leaving Greem notes, and discovers Greem is the shadow of the rock that is her favourite nighttime seat. Soon, they are leaving notes and other things for each other, playing several days-long games, too, and enjoying having a friend. But they also wish they could see the other, and the stars find a way to answer their wish.

This is a sweet, gentle, and beautifully, joyously illustrated story of two beings who become friends, despite the very real barrier between them.

[Sarah BT]

I read an early copy of this book last year and loved it. The finished copy does not disappoint, as the art is gorgeous. I love the gentleness of Kat Min's art and storytelling. This is a beautiful friendship story that is incredibly heartwarming.

[Victoria Reads Occasionally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m definitely not crying

[Ander · Rating 5 out of 5]

<333

[Amy KH]

How to a Ghost and a Shadow meet, but through the stars???

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t wait to read this to my granddaughter

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 4 out of 5]

All it takes is one...

Shinbi is an unusual ghost; she is not interested haunting houses like the other ghosts. She would much rather sit and look at the stars in the night sky. Her sense of loneliness makes her wish on a shooting star for a friend. The next day, she notices something is written on the rock she usually sits on - the word "Hi!" She takes a risk and leaves a message in return. Thus begins the great friendship of Shinbi and Greem, the rock's shadow. They play games like dominoes (ala Words with Friends, but no tech) until Greem starts throwing shiny rocks in the sky, making it a "shooting star". That night, a whole shooting star shower created enough light Greem was visible and Shinbi and Greem met face to face their friendship deepened.

Min points out the importance and power of friendships that sustain us in this gentle story of wishes and dreams. Both Shinbi and Greem are sweet, but not cloying as the ending reminds that they can remain friends even though time may pass between the present and the next time they are able to meet each other.

Min's artwork was rendered by sketching first with an erasable pink pencil, applying watercolor over the sketches, then using colored pencils to add texture and detail. The illustrations were cleaned up digitally. They are stunning in quality. The white stars pop against a black sky, with Shinbi having a luminescent aura about her. Daylight is bright blues and greens, and pops of yellow and red. There is a translucent quality to Greem, as you can see shapes and colors through him. Be sure to see the "secret cover" under the jacket. It's sure to bring a smile on your face!

Pull this out for a unit on friendships, as it does a marvelous job of depicting a long-distance one. Also, many of the wordless pages make this a wonderful place to start a creative writing exercise or exercise vocabulary-building skills.

Recommended for PreSchool-grade 2.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat Min gives young readers a look at an unusual friendship that contains all the elements for a successful human one. Shinbi the ghost wishes for a friend and finds a simple “hi” from Greem the shadow written on the rock where she reclines to star gaze and a back and forth of notes, game playing, imagination and more bonds the two despite never setting eyes on one another. In a satisfying conclusion, a night of shooting stars makes the two visible, further cementing the friendship. The flowing illustrations have real movement and while they are done in predominantly darker colors, the message and feel of the book is not heavy or scary in tone at all. Favorite parts for me were the simple, handmade or straight from nature gifts that Shinbi and Greem left for one another. Great example of how a little thought can create a well-appreciated present and doesn’t have to take any money at all. An imaginative constellation game played with pebbles might lead to discussions of games that can be played without electronics, or expensive parts. THE SHADOW & THE GHOST should have a place in libraries serving preschool to grade 2 and could be used as a mentor text in SEL lessons on friendship. Art classrooms in older grades could easily use this as an example of how to create movement in two dimensional illustrations.

Thanks for sharing an early copy with me, Levine Querido.

[Eric Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shinbi is a ghost who is not very interested in haunting. She would much rather sit upon the perfect rock and stargaze. During the daytime, the ideal rock casts a shadow. His name is Greem. Though he enjoys the meadow the rock sits in, he would really like a friend. Greem leaves a simple note on the rock, hoping someone will see it. Shinbi responds to the note, and though the two live in two different worlds of night and day, they form a friendship.

The Shadow and the Ghost is a beautifully crafted children’s book written and illustrated by Cat Min. The story is touching about finding friendship in a world that is not yours. Min also highlights the value of creativity and finding oneself above social expectations. The text is simple for early readers but entertaining enough for story time. Min’s artwork is incredible. The full-page pictures range from bright and vivid daytime scenes to the stars and constellations of night.

Whether reading alone or with someone, The Shadow and the Ghost is a great story for bedtime or in the middle of the day.

This review was originally published at https://losangelesbookreview.com/revi...

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! However, my 3 year old who picked this book out from the library mind you, did not because and I quote “ghosts are scary.” Much like Casper Shinbi is also friendly! The illustrations were honestly gorgeous and I liked the friendship development between the shadow & the ghost. Maybe it’s a better book for like 5+? But overall I would recommend! And I would just honestly buy this book, but I fear that might be traumatic to my child who clearly doesn’t appreciate ghosts so… someone please buy this book! 5/5 stars ⭐️ would recommend!

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unusual friendship forms between a ghost and a shadow, the one existing only by night and the other only by day (as if ghosts don’t have daytime haunts and shadows aren’t seen in moonlight). Mutual interest in the stars and constellations helps the two to bridge their nonsensical dimensional gap so that they can coexist in time and space. Cue The Titanic theme song as their “eyes” meet and words fly. Min’s unusual and artful illustrations can’t save this story from its lapses in logic and schmaltzy ending.

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unusual friendship is at first shyly and then more deeply formed when a lonely ghost encounters a single word,"Hi." written by Greem, the shadow of a rock. Tentatively at first, the two exchange drawings, notes, and games. Curiosity urged each to create a self-portrait. "But it was not enough." when he wants to share the images of the night sky. The forming of friendships from the lonely and shy is a theme this book handles so beautifully.

[Juushika · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. A story of the friendship between a ghost who only comes out at night and a shadow that can only be seen during the day. I'm a sucker for watercolor with colored pencil detailing, so vibrant and textured and really shining in the climax, when it's needed most; it's enough to make me overlook the way the ghost is drawn. But the story doesn't have much going on beyond the innate tension of a starcrossed Ladyhawke premise. Fine but forgettable.

[Krystyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute, wholesome, and gentle little story about an adorable little ghost that becomes friends with a shadow through wishing on a star. This kindhearted little book is accompanied with beautiful illustrations. If you have a tiny human to read stories with or just want to enjoy a cute little ghostie read with adorable artwork, this one is a gem.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the illustrative style of this book. The plot was a little different. A ghost and a shadow communicate with each other using a rock. Shimbi the ghost is only out at night, and Green the shadow is only out during the day. I don't usually like stories with ghosts, but this one was pretty cool.

[LS Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book has so much depth and the story was so complete. The illustrations are lovely. I was cheering for Greem and Shinbi all day and night. This might be my favorite picture book so far in 2024.

[Dawn Foster · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strange picture book. I like the idea of trying to explain constellations & friendships to preschoolers, but I just didn't get the connection in this story. Lots of unbelievable stretches of storytelling.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A ghost feels a bit out of their element, when they encounter another being looking for company. An unusual and unique friendship develops despite the barriers to their interactions. Strange and lovely.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all yearn for friendship and our little ghost Shinbi finds it by wishing on a falling star. But Greem is a shadow cast by a rock and though they can exchange words, drawings, and sculptures, they can't meet at one time to see each other. Until a night full of stars comes...

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book tells a friendship story with gorgeous, colorful illustrations. There is nothing scary about the ghost, and the story isn't creepy at all.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute unlikley-frienship story with out-of-this world illustrations (and I mean that literarly).

I think Cat Min and I would be fast-friends, just like Shadow and Ghost.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Precious in every way

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Studio Ghibli-esque. Not sure why the ghost only existed at night. Romantic theme.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm obsessed with this lovely story of unlikely friends. The illustrations are inventive and so pretty to look at -- with lots of full bleed spreads, just like I like.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. Very deep story - might require numerous readings.

[Shannon (That's So Poe) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning artwork, and such a sweet story of friendship across time and distance. Really gentle and moving!

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this one. It felt like a beautiful lesson in friendship.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing after the glorious Shy Willow.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found in L4L Volume 138.