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Smoot, A Rebellious Shadow
A brave shadow finds a more colorful life in this joyous picture book by the acclaimed author of The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles and illustrator of Sidewalk Flowers.
Smoot the shadow has been living a yawn-filled life for years. His boy never laughs and never leaps, so Smoot never does either... until the day he pops free, and decides to hit the road in search of the life he dreams about. And as he enjoys his first colorful day singing, dancing, and playing other shadows watch him, and they become brave, too. The frog's shadow takes the shape of a prince, the dragonfly's shadow that of a dragon. Even the rock's shadow gets in on the excitement. But what will become of the timid beings their shadows have left behind? Will they finally be inspired to find their own daring?
Smoot the shadow has been living a yawn-filled life for years. His boy never laughs and never leaps, so Smoot never does either... until the day he pops free, and decides to hit the road in search of the life he dreams about. And as he enjoys his first colorful day singing, dancing, and playing other shadows watch him, and they become brave, too. The frog's shadow takes the shape of a prince, the dragonfly's shadow that of a dragon. Even the rock's shadow gets in on the excitement. But what will become of the timid beings their shadows have left behind? Will they finally be inspired to find their own daring?
32 pages, Unknown Binding
First published September 12, 2017
6 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Cuevas
12 books116 followersMichelle Cuevas is an award-winning author of children’s literature. She graduated from Williams College and holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from the University of Virginia, where she received the Henry Hoyns Fellowship.
Cuevas is the author of eight books for young people, most recently the 2023 Indie-List Bestseller, The Dreamatics. Her other books include Massachusetts Book Award-winning novel, The Care and Feeding of a Pet Black Hole, national best seller The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles illustrated by Caldecott medalist Erin E. Stead, and international best seller Confessions of an Imaginary Friend. Her books have been named best of the year by Time, People, The Boston Globe, and School Library Journal, and have been translated into over twenty languages as well as various theatrical productions.
Her other titles include: Beyond the Laughing Sky illustrated by Julie Morstad, Smoot: A Rebellious Shadow illustrated by Sydney Smith, The Masterwork of a Painting Elephant illustrated by Ed Young, and The Town of Turtle illustrated by Cátia Chien.
Her 2017 title The Care and Feeding of a Pet Black Hole is in production with Matt Reeves through his 6th and Idaho banner, and her 2015 title Confessions of an Imaginary Friend is being developed into an animated feature film by Fox. Cuevas has freelanced as a creative consultant for Fox Animation, and is the writer of "Follow Your Heart," which qualified for the animated shorts category of the 2018 Academy Awards, as well as the STEM short Happy Birthday, Ada, commissioned by Google, which won 1st place at the 47th ASIFA-East Animation Awards.
Michelle lives and works in the Berkshires in Massachusetts with her husband and two Bernese Mountain Dogs, Fable and Indy.
Cuevas is the author of eight books for young people, most recently the 2023 Indie-List Bestseller, The Dreamatics. Her other books include Massachusetts Book Award-winning novel, The Care and Feeding of a Pet Black Hole, national best seller The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles illustrated by Caldecott medalist Erin E. Stead, and international best seller Confessions of an Imaginary Friend. Her books have been named best of the year by Time, People, The Boston Globe, and School Library Journal, and have been translated into over twenty languages as well as various theatrical productions.
Her other titles include: Beyond the Laughing Sky illustrated by Julie Morstad, Smoot: A Rebellious Shadow illustrated by Sydney Smith, The Masterwork of a Painting Elephant illustrated by Ed Young, and The Town of Turtle illustrated by Cátia Chien.
Her 2017 title The Care and Feeding of a Pet Black Hole is in production with Matt Reeves through his 6th and Idaho banner, and her 2015 title Confessions of an Imaginary Friend is being developed into an animated feature film by Fox. Cuevas has freelanced as a creative consultant for Fox Animation, and is the writer of "Follow Your Heart," which qualified for the animated shorts category of the 2018 Academy Awards, as well as the STEM short Happy Birthday, Ada, commissioned by Google, which won 1st place at the 47th ASIFA-East Animation Awards.
Michelle lives and works in the Berkshires in Massachusetts with her husband and two Bernese Mountain Dogs, Fable and Indy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
February 7, 2021
Featured in grandma reads session.
I grew up in a family that regularly trotted their littlest ones out for latest performances - latest bodily sound, i.e. burping, saying the new latest word, newest song (Lemon Tree, very pritty. . .), dancing, reciting poetry. . . yep. That was me. My material was provided by a darling grandma who favored Robert Louis Stevenson and Eugene Field. At the drop of a hat I could give you Wynken, Blynken and Nod, or My Shadow*. Looking for our next grandma reads picture book choices, I saw the cover of Smoot, A Rebellious Shadow in my library's "available now" list. That was all it took.
Smoot is an engaging tale about a lackadaisical boy - listless - lethargic, who is attached to Smoot. I know I should say that Smoot, the shadow, is attached to the boy, but I can't really. In this story, the boy - who does finally rise to the occasion - never gets a name. But Smoot, who is so ready to live that he is all a-tremble, wanting to dance in color, and run up trees, jump rope, be wild - do anything! He wants to live! But he remembers himself, and that mostly he wants his boy to be happy. He realizes that boy needs to get up and out, and get to doing, well. . .you see where this is going (and went). A inspiring, encouragement to all boys and girls and readers to 'go out and play'!!
5 stars - the kids loved Smoot!
**here's my recital piece for your further pleasure. . .
My Shadow
Robert Louis Stevenson - 1850-1894
I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,
And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.
He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head;
And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed.
The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow—
Not at all like proper children, which is always very slow;
For he sometimes shoots up taller like an India-rubber ball,
And he sometimes gets so little that there’s none of him at all.
He hasn’t got a notion of how children ought to play,
And can only make a fool of me in every sort of way.
He stays so close beside me, he’s a coward you can see;
I’d think shame to stick to nursie as that shadow sticks to me!
One morning, very early, before the sun was up,
I rose and found the shining dew on every buttercup;
But my lazy little shadow, like an arrant sleepy-head,
Had stayed at home behind me and was fast asleep in bed.
I grew up in a family that regularly trotted their littlest ones out for latest performances - latest bodily sound, i.e. burping, saying the new latest word, newest song (Lemon Tree, very pritty. . .), dancing, reciting poetry. . . yep. That was me. My material was provided by a darling grandma who favored Robert Louis Stevenson and Eugene Field. At the drop of a hat I could give you Wynken, Blynken and Nod, or My Shadow*. Looking for our next grandma reads picture book choices, I saw the cover of Smoot, A Rebellious Shadow in my library's "available now" list. That was all it took.
Smoot is an engaging tale about a lackadaisical boy - listless - lethargic, who is attached to Smoot. I know I should say that Smoot, the shadow, is attached to the boy, but I can't really. In this story, the boy - who does finally rise to the occasion - never gets a name. But Smoot, who is so ready to live that he is all a-tremble, wanting to dance in color, and run up trees, jump rope, be wild - do anything! He wants to live! But he remembers himself, and that mostly he wants his boy to be happy. He realizes that boy needs to get up and out, and get to doing, well. . .you see where this is going (and went). A inspiring, encouragement to all boys and girls and readers to 'go out and play'!!
5 stars - the kids loved Smoot!
**here's my recital piece for your further pleasure. . .
My Shadow
Robert Louis Stevenson - 1850-1894
I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,
And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.
He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head;
And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed.
The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow—
Not at all like proper children, which is always very slow;
For he sometimes shoots up taller like an India-rubber ball,
And he sometimes gets so little that there’s none of him at all.
He hasn’t got a notion of how children ought to play,
And can only make a fool of me in every sort of way.
He stays so close beside me, he’s a coward you can see;
I’d think shame to stick to nursie as that shadow sticks to me!
One morning, very early, before the sun was up,
I rose and found the shining dew on every buttercup;
But my lazy little shadow, like an arrant sleepy-head,
Had stayed at home behind me and was fast asleep in bed.
June 17, 2017
A joy to read! I really appreciated the middle wordless spreads, the boy in the red cap visible to careful readers on a few pages, and that the magical logic here feels perfectly worked out. A wonderful book.
January 17, 2024
Spring über deinen Schatten & sei, wer du sein willst!
Ein Stein, der gerne Teil einer Burg wäre. Ein Frosch, der sich wie ein Prinz fühlen möchte. Eine Libelle, die am liebsten ein riesiger feuerspeiender Drache wäre. Und ein Junge, der erst den Schatten verlieren muss, um den Mut zu finden, er selbst zu sein - ganz wie sein furchtloser Schatten Sam!
Ich liebe, liebe, liebe dieses Buch! Hier ist einfach alles perfekt: die Geschichte, die kunstvollen Illustrationen und die Botschaft dahinter.
Ein Stein, der gerne Teil einer Burg wäre. Ein Frosch, der sich wie ein Prinz fühlen möchte. Eine Libelle, die am liebsten ein riesiger feuerspeiender Drache wäre. Und ein Junge, der erst den Schatten verlieren muss, um den Mut zu finden, er selbst zu sein - ganz wie sein furchtloser Schatten Sam!
Ich liebe, liebe, liebe dieses Buch! Hier ist einfach alles perfekt: die Geschichte, die kunstvollen Illustrationen und die Botschaft dahinter.
April 22, 2020
Do shadows always have to follow along after us? Maybe they’re tired of copying every move we make day after day. Smoot certainly is!
Smoot, our rebellious shadow, has become unstuck from his boy. One giant POP! and Smoot is off!
“This is my chance! thought Smoot. He packed a few things—some shade, some moonlight, a change of underpants—and hit the road.”
He can now do all the wild things he’s dreamed about, the things his boy never wanted to do—running, leaping, and singing. Other shadows soon learn of Smoot’s freedom and join in. Shadows begin to fly away and form shapes they’ve always wanted to be. But have things gone too far? What if all the shadows rebelled?
I love the idea of runaway shadows. Talk about huge imagination! But my favorite part of the story was the role reversal of the boy and his shadow. Smoot breaks free to make his dreams come true. And his boy follows along after him! He sees Smoot have all the fun and wants in on the action. Me too!
A truly inspirational story about taking the lead and going after what you want in life. Read it with your shadow! :)
December 25, 2019
This is such a great book about chasing after what you love ❤️
April 11, 2019
Good story about a shadow breaking free to live its life freely and inspiring other shadows, and eventually a boy, to live their lives at the fullest. We enjoyed it.
June 7, 2017
Total charmer about a rebellious shadow who goes on an adventure all his own. Shades of Peter Pan and The Journey
October 13, 2017
The illustrations are so engaging, with their delicate pastel shades contrasting the stark black shadows. But the story is rather wanting; Smoot mysteriously detaches from his boy in a pointlessly nebulous way and the solution for the story's conflict is uninspired. Highly recommended for everyone who likes to make up better stories than the one the book came with.
I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for review.
I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for review.
April 22, 2018
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello, friends! Our book today is Smoot: A Rebellious Shadow, written by Michelle Cuevas and illustrated by Sydney Smith, a fantastic fairy tale about having the courage to explore the world outside one’s comfort zone.
Smoot is a precocious little shadow with a curious nature and a yearning to be free. The boy he is attached to is nice enough, but lives a dull, colorless life – he never jumps or leaps or plays or even colors outside the lines. Wishing for a day when he could have a life of his own, Smoot is surprised to hear a POP! – and to find he is no longer attached to his boy! At last, Smoot can dance, sing, ride the carousel, jump rope, and go wherever his dreams take him. His carefree attitude inspires the other shadows around him, and suddenly they are making their own dreams a reality: a cricket’s and grasshopper’s shadows strike up a band, a frog’s shadow becomes a handsome prince, and a tiny rock makes himself into a towering castle. Knowing that the shadows’ freedoms could become problematic if unchecked, Smoot devises clever solutions to help them realize their dreams, then decides to return to his boy – only to find his old friend has been following him since he left, and has been inspired by his boldness to embrace the color in his life.
This was such a wonderful little fable! Smoot is a charmingly earnest protagonist, both a dreamer and a realist who knows the proper balance of both. He and the other shadows serve as a great metaphor for how we should let our dreams influence us: allowing them to drive us out of complacency, but not letting them get too carried away. The illustrations are magical, and create an imaginative world that feels both familiar and fanciful. The length is perfect, and JJ adored it. A lovely tale for dreamers of any age, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!
Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
October 3, 2017
It fizzled out for me.
May 24, 2017
This book is fabulous!! The writing is descriptive, the illustrations are lively, and the storyline is charming. With a message about not being afraid to be yourself/step outside your comfort zone and give things a chance, this will be a fantastic read aloud for the classroom or library. I absolutely loved it!
October 9, 2017
I really like where this started in the beginning--the illustrations carried me along throughout--but it felt a bit long and dragged a bit at the end. By the time Smoot came up with his plan to bring the shadows back, I was beginning to feel a bit restless and impatient and sad for the shadows that were just wanting to live their dreams (it didn't seem to fully explain them or maybe I was just finished by this part and wanted the book to end?), and it didn't seem fair. Finally Smoot was reunited with his nameless boy, who had learned his lesson (bit pedantic that) and yeah! for the colorful bit at the end.
November 16, 2017
Smoot, a shadow, is tired of the boring, depressing existence he is trapped in and breaks away from the boy who never laughs, leaps, or does anything wild. Free at last, Smoot skips in the park, rides the merry-go-round, climbs a tree and engages fully with the world. His actions inspire others shadows to also fulfill their dreams. As Smoot creates his adventure, the boy follows and watches.
Newly inspired shadows find the courage to perform in public, create fearsome and magical alter egos, and reached the clouds. Smoot becomes concerned that the shadows of wild animals may create havoc. Through creative thinking, Smoot persuades the shadows to return to their origins. When he returns to his own boy, the child has changed. He improved now laughs, leaps, and acts wild. Both their lives are changed.
This feels like a book written for adults more than for children. As a rule, it is adults who’ve lost the ability to laugh and leap. I would interpret the boy as representing adults and the shadow representing the forgotten inner child. Quite often there are things in our life that are beyond our control. But just as often our attitude determines our happiness. The boy in the story has disengaged from life. He’s forgotten that the simple joys are the sweetest.
Although children would enjoy this story, I think the parent reading it to them will actually get the most benefit.
Newly inspired shadows find the courage to perform in public, create fearsome and magical alter egos, and reached the clouds. Smoot becomes concerned that the shadows of wild animals may create havoc. Through creative thinking, Smoot persuades the shadows to return to their origins. When he returns to his own boy, the child has changed. He improved now laughs, leaps, and acts wild. Both their lives are changed.
This feels like a book written for adults more than for children. As a rule, it is adults who’ve lost the ability to laugh and leap. I would interpret the boy as representing adults and the shadow representing the forgotten inner child. Quite often there are things in our life that are beyond our control. But just as often our attitude determines our happiness. The boy in the story has disengaged from life. He’s forgotten that the simple joys are the sweetest.
Although children would enjoy this story, I think the parent reading it to them will actually get the most benefit.
November 15, 2017
I read this aloud to a K-5 afterschool group today and they declared it one of the best books ever. They kept crowding around to look at the illustrations up close.
December 2, 2017
Although I enjoyed the silhouette, the idea of breaking free, and encouraging others, the story line just didn't ring true enough for me.
Maybe 'smoot' just sounds too much like 'soot' to me.
Maybe 'smoot' just sounds too much like 'soot' to me.
December 29, 2017
'Smoot: A Rebellious Shadow' by Michelle Cuevas and illustrated by Sydney Smith is a story about how sometimes it is worthwhile to stray outside of what you ordinarily know and take for granted and see what life is like "outside the lines" instead of staying perfectly inside them in every aspect of life.
Smoot the Shadow feels stuck. The boy to whom he is attached never does anything out of the ordinary - or at least nothing that Smoot feels excited for as days continually go by. When he finds himself free of his boy, his life becomes filled with color, both of the literal and metaphorical variety. He goes off into the world seeking everything he feels he has been missing, encountering colors, people, animals, and a whole new life he is eager to keep. That is, until he realizes that shadows can hardly overtake everything, and if they do, the consequences could be truly unwieldy. So he sets out to help everyone live out their own dreams, and while doing so, he finds he is living his own, helping others to realize their own truth through the beauty of freedom and being able to do as one wishes, within reason.
All the while, Smoot's boy has been following his shadow, watching the magic happen, and he himself decides that being more like Smoot is the best course of action. Smoot adds color to not only his life, but the lives of others - most especially his boy, which reflects back on him since he gets to live the rest of his days attached to the boy. The story teaches that rebellion is not always a bad idea, so long as it is done in a way that teaches a lesson and becomes part of the rules by which one lives.
Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Freshman Fourteen' and 'Sweet Fifteen,' Young Adult Novels
*Review originally posted at YABooksCentral.com*
Smoot the Shadow feels stuck. The boy to whom he is attached never does anything out of the ordinary - or at least nothing that Smoot feels excited for as days continually go by. When he finds himself free of his boy, his life becomes filled with color, both of the literal and metaphorical variety. He goes off into the world seeking everything he feels he has been missing, encountering colors, people, animals, and a whole new life he is eager to keep. That is, until he realizes that shadows can hardly overtake everything, and if they do, the consequences could be truly unwieldy. So he sets out to help everyone live out their own dreams, and while doing so, he finds he is living his own, helping others to realize their own truth through the beauty of freedom and being able to do as one wishes, within reason.
All the while, Smoot's boy has been following his shadow, watching the magic happen, and he himself decides that being more like Smoot is the best course of action. Smoot adds color to not only his life, but the lives of others - most especially his boy, which reflects back on him since he gets to live the rest of his days attached to the boy. The story teaches that rebellion is not always a bad idea, so long as it is done in a way that teaches a lesson and becomes part of the rules by which one lives.
Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Freshman Fourteen' and 'Sweet Fifteen,' Young Adult Novels
*Review originally posted at YABooksCentral.com*
September 16, 2017
Life for Smoot the Shadow is unspeakably dull. Inextricably tied to his lonely, shy, and timid boy, Smoot’s life remains stuck in the same careful patterns until the day where Smoot is unexpectedly freed from his boy and embarks on the adventure he’s always dreamed of.
This has one of the best opening lines I’ve ever read in a picture book – “If life is a book, then Smoot the Shadow had been reading the same yawn-colored page for seven and a half years.” Cuevas’s writing is stunningly beautiful in this book – phrases like “the music they played sounded like a cool shade on a hot afternoon” or “a castle that reached the clouds” and “he sang canary-yellow songs” roll off the tongue like poetry. I also loved the line about what Smoot packs before leaving on his adventure – “some shade, some moonlight, a change of underpants.”
The illustrations practically thrum with life – there’s so much to discover within the pages, including Smoot’s boy, who watches the adventures closely.
Explores similar themes to Mr. Tiger Goes Wild, by Peter Brown, a longtime favorite.
One of my top 10 picture books so far this year.
This has one of the best opening lines I’ve ever read in a picture book – “If life is a book, then Smoot the Shadow had been reading the same yawn-colored page for seven and a half years.” Cuevas’s writing is stunningly beautiful in this book – phrases like “the music they played sounded like a cool shade on a hot afternoon” or “a castle that reached the clouds” and “he sang canary-yellow songs” roll off the tongue like poetry. I also loved the line about what Smoot packs before leaving on his adventure – “some shade, some moonlight, a change of underpants.”
The illustrations practically thrum with life – there’s so much to discover within the pages, including Smoot’s boy, who watches the adventures closely.
Explores similar themes to Mr. Tiger Goes Wild, by Peter Brown, a longtime favorite.
One of my top 10 picture books so far this year.
April 11, 2018
Cuevas, Michelle. Smoot: A Rebellious Shadow, PICTURE BOOK. Dial Books for Young Readers, 2017. $17.99.
Smoot the shadow is bored with his human. He longs to do something exciting. One day, he suddenly becomes unstuck from the boy! He is so happy to be free. He tries all sorts of things, while his human follows along after him. Other shadows see Smoot and want to explore too. Before things get too out of hand, Smoot corrals the other shadows their things to control them and finds his boy, who has watched Smoot this whole time and is now ready for adventure. Together, they play and dance and sing.
I liked the premise for this book and the pictures were intriguing enough, but it’s a little clunky. I understand the intended feeling and the message to get out and try new things is definitely there, but it’s missing a bit of detailing to help the story flow together best.
PRE-K, EL (K-3)- OPTIONAL. Reviewed by Shay, School Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
Smoot the shadow is bored with his human. He longs to do something exciting. One day, he suddenly becomes unstuck from the boy! He is so happy to be free. He tries all sorts of things, while his human follows along after him. Other shadows see Smoot and want to explore too. Before things get too out of hand, Smoot corrals the other shadows their things to control them and finds his boy, who has watched Smoot this whole time and is now ready for adventure. Together, they play and dance and sing.
I liked the premise for this book and the pictures were intriguing enough, but it’s a little clunky. I understand the intended feeling and the message to get out and try new things is definitely there, but it’s missing a bit of detailing to help the story flow together best.
PRE-K, EL (K-3)- OPTIONAL. Reviewed by Shay, School Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
February 6, 2018
I loved Cuevas' The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles and Smith's Sidewalk Flowers. Now they've collaborated to create another wonderful book. Imagine what it's like to be a shadow of a boy who's unhappy and doesn't do much of anything! Smoot takes the problem into his own hands, and his "boy" watches while he plays in adventures all over town. Change is happening, and they reunite, finally both enjoying all the wonderful things life offers. The illustrations fill with pages of action and more action. Sydney Smith doesn't miss adding in the shadows which are everywhere, and some follow Smoot's lead, pop off to do their 'thing', too.
September 26, 2018
This book begins with funny descriptions of what a shadow's life must be like. Then Smoot the shadow breaks free for fun on a few wordless pages. But his freedom inspires other shadows to live their dreams and soon Smoot sees the chaos caused by If Everybody Did what would happen. He must remedy his mistakes with a clever solution, and he must return to his boy. In the end, his wild and free time inspired his boy to live that way and they have fun romping together.
January 24, 2024
Ever met a child who always lived and thought between the lines? Have them read Smoot A Rebellious Shadow. This book does a fantastic job of mirroring a shy, sheltered, or quiet child's wants and desires. The theme of this book is courage, inspiration, and exploration. The main character's shadow gains the courage to explore some outside fun and it's talents inspiring other mini-characters to have the same courage. I'd add this book to my classroom bookshelf to motivate those isolated students to embrace their inner desires and wild personalities.
September 21, 2017
I thought this was an unusual & very cool concept - a playful shadow finally can't stand another minute of the boredom he suffers while with his person, an obviously very hesitant, reserved, & somewhat unhappy boy. So he books it to have fun adventures, but by the end, realizes he should reunite with his boy - only to find that the boy has been watching him enjoy himself, & now wants to join in on the fun with him. I thought the illustrations very eye-catching, too.
September 30, 2017
Are you afraid of your shadow?
Smothered: A Rebellious Shadow by Michelle Cuevas
This rebellious shadow chooses to show others what it would be like to just dream.... But then he decides to make his and others dreams come true. Illustrations by Sydney Smith bring the story to life.
A fun little book with different aspect found within, ie; art, search and find, imagination
Thank you Librarything thing for the book for an honest review. Will be adding this one to the school library
Smothered: A Rebellious Shadow by Michelle Cuevas
This rebellious shadow chooses to show others what it would be like to just dream.... But then he decides to make his and others dreams come true. Illustrations by Sydney Smith bring the story to life.
A fun little book with different aspect found within, ie; art, search and find, imagination
Thank you Librarything thing for the book for an honest review. Will be adding this one to the school library
January 23, 2018
Let your imagination run WILD with this book, because your shadow will definitely want to! Not only will this book take you on a crazy adventure, but it shall reinforce the idea of creativity, responsibility, friendship and fun. Let your wild side fly, but remember to come back down to the ground every once and a while; there's fun to be had all around!
To read during school visits and Preschool Play.
To read during school visits and Preschool Play.
February 11, 2018
For some reason I thought that this book was about a boy soldier, perhaps because of the silhouette on the cover and the hat that looks like a helmet? Whatever it was, it put me off reading it for a long time and made it so I was pleasantly surprised at the story and the illustrations and its Peter Pan vibes. I think kids will really enjoy this story and would be a good read aloud for the older, slightly skeptical kids.
July 24, 2019
Smoot the Shadow wanted more adventure and fun in his life than the human he's been partnered to! He breaks away and finds more adventure than he bargained for, inspiring other shadow beings to break away and do their own thing along the way. He eventually reunites with is boy and that boy leads a much more exciting and inspired life than ever before.
This was creative and fun. I bet it would be a blast to read out loud to young ones!
This was creative and fun. I bet it would be a blast to read out loud to young ones!
August 28, 2017
When Smoot the Shadow has a chance to escape his boring, repetitious life he does everything he has wished his boy would do. Soon other shadows join in the rebellious fun. When Smoot realizes things have gotten out of hand he rounds them up and convinces them to return to their owners. A fun tale of imagination.
December 19, 2017
I truly enjoyed this book! A shadow decides to break free from his host (a boy who plays it safe and never does anything fun). Soon, other shadows follow suit. The result: a story about breaking free, being brave, and trying new things.
The text flows well and page turns facilitate lovely storytelling.
The text flows well and page turns facilitate lovely storytelling.
January 25, 2019
Severely surreal in narrative style akin to her black hole novel, in this case shadows take life on their own wishing to express their owners true inner desires which is benign in behavior but eventually carries a potential danger with their oppressed feelings so...one shadow has to be creative to save the day which is a delight to see. Obvious nice illustration work on the light and shadows.
April 1, 2020
Smoot is a shadow whose boy is boring, so he takes off on his own. He inspires other shadows to do the same. But he realizes that all of shadows acting however they want would be chaos, so he works with his boy to help the shadows and their people find middle grounds. So it's about, like, freedom and responsibility. I guess.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews