Shadow

by Marcia Brown (Translator, Illustrator), Blaise Cendrars

"Shadow lives in the forest . . ./It goes forth at night to prowl around the fires./It even likes to mingle with the dancers". But in the African experience, Shadow is much more, an eerie image that shifts between the beliefs of the present and the spirts of the past. Brown's stunning collages, inspired by her travels in Africa, evoke the atmosphere and drama of a life now haunted, now enchanted--by Shadow.

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry, Childrens, Africa, Folklore, Fiction, Realistic Fiction

Library Binding

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

An American children's book author and illustrator, and a high school teacher, Marcia Brown was born in Rochester, New York in 1918, and was educated at The New York State College for Teachers (now University at Albany). She taught at Cornwall High School in New York City, and published her first book, The Little Carousel, in 1946. She wrote and illustrated more than thirty books for children over the course of her career, winning three Caldecott Medals and six Caldecott Honors, as well as the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal and the Regina Medal. She died in 2015.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I love the artwork in this book. The bright oranges and dark shadows set against it really make for a moody and spooky story. This is all about the shadow. Shadow is never hungry or bothersome. It is only there. There are no eyes. It dies every night once the fires die out and is reborn each day with the sun. It's a well thought out story, from the French author Blaise Cendrars. I'm sure she is recounting a legend from Africa. Again, is this cultural appropriation? As story tellers, do we have the licenses to tell any story. This is a very powerful story.

I love this and I would give it 5 stars if it weren't for that last question I have. I will admit that this scared my niece. She couldn't finish the book. It didn't bother my nephew. He thought it was a good book. I think the artwork here is very special. Everything is stylized and the shadows are heightened. I loved when it spoke of the birds about no matter how high they fly, their shadows drop to the ground. It's a beautiful way to think of it.

Another great book off the Caldecott list.

[Manybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am indeed very much and more than pleasantly surprised at how much I have (on both a personal and reading pleasure level) both enjoyed and also been somewhat and deliciously, tremblingly a tiny bit creeped and shivered out by both text and images of Marcia Brown's Shadow.

For Marcia Brown's poetical narrative (which glows and flows naturally and furthermore and importantly neither feels nor in any way to and for me sounds like simply a translation from the French language original, and that is something rather majorly difficult to achieve, especially with regard to poetry) and her accompanying illustrations engage in a slow, involved, but always steady and deliberate pas de deux dance of what one's shadow does (and what it can do), a wondrous and eye-opening celebration of both its postive and negative qualities, and above all demonstrating that positive and negative, that good and bad, go hand in hand (are eternally linked) and that one is not really even possible without the other (and that shadows of all kinds are therefore an integral part of life, and thus of course necessary and essential). More than well deserving of its Caldecott Medal award, and the only possible caveat I have is that Shadow might indeed be a bit too frightening for very young or exceedingly sensitive children (as indeed, while I have absolutely adored Shadow as an older adult, especially the detailed and evocative illustrations would likely have been much too creepy for me as a child, and perhaps even as a young teenager). And although I personally would also have much appreciated and desired Blaise Cendrars' original French language poem having been included as perhaps a small author's note, this has really in no way all that much affected my enjoyment and appreciation of Shadow (and thus also does not influence or change my sparkling and shining four star ranking either).

[Ronyell · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Shadow” is a Caldecott Medal award winning book by Marcia Brown and it is about what shadows do around people and what they do when they are not looking. “Shadow” may be a bit scary for smaller children, but it is truly a mesmerizing book that children would enjoy for many years.

Marcia Brown has wonderfully given a vivid description of what shadows do and what they are like and put the description of shadows in a poetic format and Marcia Brown does a great job at making shadows seem so mysterious as they constantly follow people around in ghostly figures. Marcia Brown’s illustrations are truly eerie yet creative as the people in the book are drawn as black shadows while the shadows themselves are drawn as white ghostly figures following the shadowed characters, however, there are some shadows that are dark figures such as the shadow coming out of the ash from the fire. The images perfectly blend color and black and white to bring out a more effective look at the world of shadows such as putting shadowed figures against colorful mountainsides or forests.



Parents should know that there are some scary images in this book which involves images of the shadows taking frightening shapes such as one shadow wearing a very frightening mask and another large shadow that has ash for eyes and is walking on four wobbly legs. Many small children would also be frighten about the idea that shadows can come to life when they least expect it and it might cause many small children to not go to sleep at night because they might be afraid of their shadows coming to life to get them. Parents need to explain to their children that shadows do not come alive and they are apart of people.

“Shadow” is a brilliant book that takes on the views of the mysterious world of shadows and it will have many children mesmerized for many years. I would recommend this book to children ages six and up since the images are truly frightening and smaller children might be frightened at the idea that shadows come to life in this book.


Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful book illustrates the poem La Féticheuse by Blaise Cendrars. The poem evokes the wonder we all feel when we first notice that our shadow almost seems to have life - the wonder only children can feel. The art is based on African art and complements the poem very nicely.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite by chance I had music on in the background when I was reading this book. With iTunes sent to random, I was given this piece:

https://youtu.be/7uL9riNZDDc

This went so well with the story that it gave me chills. Those eyes...the illustrations...the words. Perfection. Absolute perfection.

[Luann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very different! I had to read it a couple of times before I could decide if I liked it or not. The pictures are stunning and work very well with the text. I like it a little more each time I read it. I think this could be used as a read-aloud part of a poetry unit or a study of Africa, but students reading it on their own may have a difficult time with it.

[Jason Brinley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadow is a Caldecott Medal winning children's fictional picture book about African folklore and storytelling that creatively portrays the mysterious "Shadow" within their culture. In this work, the author shows the reader how shadows, though very innocent, can ignite within us a sense of fear in certain situations. Although it is well known that a shadow is a dark shape that results from light passing over an object onto another surface, this story tells of "Shadow," who is perceived to have a life of its own. The book's text poetically describes this "Shadow" creature's creepy ways; in that it "does not sleep" and "is always watching." Marcia Brown, the translator and illustrator, portrays in both text and art that Shadow is always there, even when he cannot be seen. Her artistry is primitive, sharp, and imaginative; as she depicts her characters and shadows in black, bold, and edgy shapes. With the turning of each page, a sense of fear escalates as the reader learns that Shadow has the ability to "prowl" and "mingle" in a fire-lit night of dancing; and thus, this dark silhouette suddenly becomes, in the reader's mind's eye, an entity who takes on the nature of being "prowler" and "dancer."
Many of Brown's illustrations depict African natives' shapes in the foreground with reddish-orange and purple sunsets in the background, making their silhouettes appear solid black and eerie; all that the reader can see are bright white eyes and bright white teeth. The illustrations in the book are composed of a combination of paint, print, and collage. Brown uses gouache to create the sensation of spirits and ghostlike masks, which successfully generates a bone-chilling atmosphere and experience for the reader. The narrative in the story is equally alarming and frightening, as Brown gives descriptive and haunting characteristics to Shadow of never speaking, always listening, "sliding right up behind the storyteller;" and then always retreating back into the forest; lines so striking that they are hair-raising even for an adult reader.
The theme in this book, or an insight gained, is that this entity mimics the struggles of people as they get bumped, tripped up, and battered in their daily life's journey. Although people might fall to the ground like shadows do, they have the ability to rise up each day and renew themselves, just as the shadow appears again and again with the rising sun and light in life. This book is fascinating, exhilarating, and beautifully illustrated and written, leaving the reader in wonder and wanting to experience this Caldecott winner a second time.
Teachers can use this book, in addition to giving students a good scare, to show that people of all cultures share many common popular beliefs. Teachers can introduce students to folklore stories that have been passed down over the generations. Shadow will be loved by children because they will be fascinated by Shadow's magic and trickery. This book is appropriate for students fourth-grade and above.

[Brittany Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadow, by Marcia Brown was one of the most lyrical, metaphorical, and visually picture books I have ever read. The cover is a beautiful wrap around image of a sunset changing from purple-blue to a yellow orange. There are black figure statues, people, and tree shadows placed over the bright sunset. This contrast ads a serious element of drama to the cover illustration. The images both on the cover and inside the book radiate a very African cultural feel. This book had an introductory poem just past the title page, which was unique. The library of congress page stated that this book is translated from La Fetichellse. Inside the book, the illustrations are very aesthetically pleasing, with a gorgeous contrast between the bright backgrounds and dark shadow images and text. Some of the images did seem a bit scary, such as the mask and ghost image of the shadow. The text was highly lyrical, and every once and a while there would be a group of lines that rhymed on a page. Although the majority of the text was black and bold, on the blue pages there was white text to help it stand out. The whole reason this book was written was to explain what a shadow is. Marcia describes it as a “thing”. The shadow is almost human like in description. It can watch and see, and has limbs and a body. However, it has no voice. This line is repeated multiple times throughout the pages. The story warns the reader to be careful, because Shadow is everywhere, but has no voice. I liked the fact that the book seemed like it was a story that would be told by mouth in a different culture. It almost removed me from the idea that I was even reading a book at all.

[Mili Fay · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Stars for effort.

I wonder if the poetry and beauty of this story is lost in translation. It is a fairly long book, or maybe it just feels long, because it is repetitive. While reading, I was looking for a deeper meaning, but somehow all I got out of this book was poetic observations of Shadow. Why should I care?

I also found the book creepy. I would definitely not share this book with little kids.

Then there are inconsistencies. The shadow has no eyes, but it is spying on you? Is it spying with ears? "Ash has no shadow either. That's why Shadow is blind, for its eyes are two small heaps of ash." Huh?

I'm not sure how to feel about the illustrations. At times I find them beautiful, at other times boring, and a few times terrifying. "And so when all the fires are out, Shadow is blind." The figure on that page is straight out of nightmares, and I'm not even afraid of the dark. I like it. :-)

I've read the book twice to see if I can dig a meaning out of it, but all I concluded is that reading it once is enough. As I said, a lot may be lost in translation.

I did not like this book. Some of the illustrations were interesting, but most of it is: "meh." 2 Stars for effort, but I feel that if it was in the hands of a better lyricist the poetry could have achieved what this book tried to do. Disappointing.

[Monique Isaak · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book, “Shadow”, translated and illustrated by Maria Brown is poetically written. The story is based on a mysterious shadow in an African culture. By reading the picture book, readers are able to see the true character of the shadow and the many places it travels to. The theme is about African American heritage and it addresses the African American culture. The illustrations are vibrant, yet mysterious and dark. Between a mix of red, purple and orange for the background, and black and grey for the people and creatures, the illustrations developed an eerie feel for the setting. The text on each page was very small, which allowed the focus to be adjusted directly on the pictures. The characters were perceived as if they were pasted on the background of each page. Also, the actual shadows on the pages were an enticing detail that immediately caught my eye. As a result, the illustrations told a bold story. This story could be implemented in the classroom by reading the book to my students and then have the students work with their own shadows. Children find their shadow to be fascinating. As a class, we could go outside on a sunny day and have the students work together to trace their shadows. This would help the students understand the techniques the illustrator used.

[Brianna Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Fictional picture book

Reading Level: late transitional ages5-9

Topics and Themes: This book translates an African story into English. It is about a 'Shadow' that comes out whenever a story is about to be told.

Curricular Use: This is an excellent book if you are trying to use multicultural books in the classroom. It is based on an African tale and both the poem and the illustrations go along with that theme. Even translated into English, the children will be able to get a good sense of another culture from this book.

Social: Based solely on another culture. The children may have trouble relating to the text if they have no previous knowledge of African stories or storytelling.

Literary Element: Shadow uses imagery in the poem. It goes through the poem using sight and sound to describe shadow. It also uses personification to give shadow human qualities even though it is a spirit and not a human.

Text and Pictures: This book is in poem form. The pictures are not typical illustrations but look more like she layered images on top of each other to make the final picture.

[Johanna Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed SHADOW. I thought the illustrations did justice to the poetic vibe of the book. The images seem to be dancing along with the words very beautifully. I liked that the illustrations said so much of the story, they told about a different culture and about emotions. Through the illustrations we got to learn about Africa and some of their traditions and beliefs, which I thought was amazing.

The contrast of colors against the black of the shadows was a great choice, but after looking at the illustrations closely and through the eyes of a child I see that the illustration might frighten a few kids. I would recommend this book for older children, maybe third grade and up for two reasons. Like I said the pictures might scare some kids and two, I feel older children would better understand the style in which the book is written in (poetry form).

In the end, I personally liked the book and can see why it won the Caldecott medal, but I would think twice about the audience I would read the book to. I enjoyed the book and can see older children or adults appreciating the artwork more than the folktale itself.

[Denn Angelo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel to me was a different approach to a common entity or figure we see day to day. It allows the reader to think critically in what we actually see as shadows. This book, creates many visually appealing and imaginative depictions of what we would manifest through its words. Culturally this book can easily been addressed under the origin of African American short tale. Lessons within the text and plot analysis resembles the thoughts of where the shadows lay, why are shadows there, and what do they speak.

Closely looking at the culturally inspired art works and illustrations. The pictures themselves tell there own unique story but can be followed by in text writing that aids in the connections to words, to value what the images for tell. We call this connective, enhanced interactions between text and illustration. This read shares parallel story telling but can easily be spoken in the ways of being interdependent. The text and visuals can contradict each other if taken separately, but in conjunction they help fulfill the bases of what the author or in this case, the translation of what the story is about.

[Tayler Pomeroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Shadow” is translated and illustrated by Marcia Brown. The book explains the things that a shadow is, as well as things that it is not. Shadow is portrayed as a person in the book. Shadow is silent, but sneaky, and it is everywhere. The illustrations use mostly red, black, and white, as well as other darker colors. They appear to be made by cut out shapes of geometric looking people and other objects. The illustrations set the story to appear tribal and mysterious. “Shadow” is actually an illustrated poem. I could use this in a poetry lesson around Halloween because of the spooky mood it has. Books like this are a fun for teacher read aloud around Halloween. Since it doesn’t address the holiday, could use it as a teacher read aloud book while they work on decorations such as jack-o-lanterns. I’m not sure if Halloween is a religious holiday. If celebrating Halloween isn’t allowed, I could recommend it to a student that prefers darker subjects. This book is a little mysterious and difficult to understand, but it definitely offers food for thought.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on a French poem by Blaise Cendrars, this translation is both haunting, eerie and fascinating.

The poem is stark and sometimes a bit scary, as are the illustrations, which are based on African folklore and art.

Our girls liked it, in fact, they asked me to read it, even after looking at the pictures, but I would recommend this for older children and adults.

This book was selected as one of the books for the April 2016- Quarterly Caldecott discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.

[Meltha · Rating 1 out of 5]

What on earth did I just read? Yes, it's well illustrated book, but this is straight-up nightmare fuel. Anyone who reads this story to their child at bedtime had better be ready for multiple bouts of screaming terrors. Shadow is blind because his eyes are ashes, he follows us everywhere, he lives in the pupil of the eye, he stares at you at night, if you step on him he bites, and there are no shadows, only Shadow. Nighty-night! The heck? I'm paranoid about sleeping now myself!

ETA: Yep, still terrifying. I have a hard time realizing this is the same artist who did Cinderella.

[Robert Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marcia Browns' exciting and lively illustrations evoke the atmosphere and spirit of Africa in vivid color and detail. The text, a poem by Blaise Cendrars and translated from French, is extremely sophisticated and bewildering. Perhaps too complex for children to comprehend, it is nevertheless a splendid work.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm giving it 3 stars for text, but 4 stars for illustrations, whose sharp, bright colors contrast crisply with the deep black shadows.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strange and wonderful.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

The 1983 Caldecott winner, while good in its depiction and subtle definitions/explanations of the phenomena of shadows, as set in an African cultural environment, was oddly eerie...the illustrations, the wording...it was just a little creepy, not gonna lie.
The book I would say, while good for parents with young kids, a good resource to use to explain how shadows work, may shy away from it, due to its darker tone, but for older kids (4th graders) would probably be able to understand the descriptions and metaphors.

[Allie · Rating 1 out of 5]

The very definition of a book you can skip in 2020. I mean, you can skip it any time (and should!) but it's 2020 and we have real, honest-to-goodness excellent amazing wonderful own voices stories you can read instead of this nonsense.

This past Monday I had a day off so I did what any children's librarian data nerd would do: I created a bracket of Caldecott medalists. Next Monday when the newest Caldecott is announced I can finish it! My ranking formula: (average GR rating * number of GR ratings * number of copies owned by my library) - (base racism penalty * number of copies owned) + medal year. The scores ranged from over 35,000,000 (Where the Wild Things Are) to -20,000 (Mei Li). This book is the second to last seed (scored approx. -9,000), because the average rating is quite middling, the number of total ratings is low, and it got a heavy racism penalty.

While I think Marcia Brown exhibited some skill in creating the illustrations, it certainly perpetuates racist notions of African people as monolithic, indistinguishable, and uncivilized. It's a picture book made about non-specific African people by a white lady, based on a poem by a European tourist. Again, the very definition of a book you can skip in 2020.

[Kristanne Duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story written in poem form about the shadow. I found it interesting that author Marcia Brown put in a poem before the story even starts. She titles this poem "What is Shadow?" The book then goes on to tell about the African experience with Shadow and the life the shadow lives. Shadow is blind, shadow has no voice, but all the same shadow is always present. According to African legend the shadow is a spirit. This story tells of the shadow in the morning, in the evening, and when night falls. The shadow follows man everywhere.
The illustrations in this book are unique. It almost looks as though the illustrator piled materials or layers on top of each other until she came to the final outcome. Most scenes take place with the sun setting. The reader can see that all of the images on the page have a shadow, and where the shadow is being cast during different parts of the day.
I would probably not recommend reading this book to very young children because some of the pictures may be kind of scary. But with older children this could be a good way to introduce a different culture.

[Cari Middlecamp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shadow by Marcia Brown is a children's poetry book. This book won the 1983 Caldecott Medal. Children ages five through eight or children in kindergarten to second grade may be the intended audience. This book is takes readers on the journey of "Shadow" through African culture. My first reaction to this book had to do with the illustrations. These illustrations are amazing. There are the perfect amount of illustrations and detail on each page making the reader really focus on the words. On some of the pages, it is like the illustrations are popping off of the page because of the detail. The colors are a mix of very vibrant colors and dull colors. The words also go together like most pieces of poetry which really creates the image in the reader's head. Some young readers may find this book scary in nature. I think this book may only be slightly appealing to young readers. I think this is one book that I would have to say would be used with children only if they request to read this book. However, it may also be used as an introduction to a poetry unit. This book has great illustrations and may be used to example the importance of illustrations.

[Bobby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though this book is classified as a children's book, I only recommend it for older kids and certainly adults. I can see younger children not fully appreciating it and/or being scared by it. Having said that, it's an amazing book. Based on a French poem by Blaise Cendrars, this translation by Marcia Brown makes for some very thought provoking poetry with an underlying darkness (no pun intended) to its theme of the Shadow. For me, it clearly had undertones of Jungian psychology and I think it can even be used as a tool for self-reflection and contemplation. Marcia Brown also illustrated this book and her images of the shadows are excellent (though a bit scary perhaps for some younger children). I felt she captured the essence of the poem--its energy and its darkness--very well by using very vivid and strong colors as well as definite, bold lines and borders.

Overall, I think this is one of my favorite "children's" books of all time and something I know I will read over and over.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This 1983 Caldecott Medal Winner is a textual and visual meditation on shadows and how they filter through our past and our present. Through personification of Shadow, the author ruminates on how Shadow makes us feel and what it makes us fear and when it appears. Youngsters may relate more strongly to the idea of shadow since many of them are fascinated with the first glimpse of their own shadow, described here as something "no one can fight" (unpaged). The collage illustrations filled with solid black shapes layered against very bright colors allow the outlines of the individuals to stand out in vivid contrast, emulating what a shadow itself does. Although this may not be my own personal favorite Caldecott title, it is a lovely picture that epitomizes what the best picture books do--rely on the images to tell a story. It's possible to read this book without the text and come away with a definite feeling about Shadow, thanks to those marvelous illustrations.

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadow, personified in an African setting, is a tricky and sometimes slightly spooky presence, but there’s no real reason to fear it because it can do you no real harm. But it’s a good thrill to fire your imagination.

Blaise Cendrars, a name that conjures images of fire and ash, is the pen name of Frédéric-Louis Sauser. He wrote prose and avant-garde poetry full of free association, adventure and danger. He also compiled a book of African folklore published in 1927. In this poem from Petits Contes Nègres Pour les Enfants des Blanc he brings some of the thrill of his discovery of African art and tales to French speaking children. Marcia Brown’s translation brings this thrill to English speaking children, and her brilliant collage illustrations, inspired by her African travels, well deserve the book’s 1982 Caldecott Medal.

[Mollie Brandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, very thoughtfully, uses strong and vibrant colors in contrast to the 'shadow' that is followed throughout the story. Even the cover has very bright blues and reds in the background of the shadow people dancing in the foreground. The colors give an obvious understanding that the shadow really is deep and dark, but the continuous use kind of reinforces the idea that although the shadows on each page are different shapes, they are the same; but the shadows are different from everything that is found in color. The backgrounds in themselves feel very uplifting for the fact that they are all so vibrant. The book would have a very different tone if the author had chosen more muted colors. Overall, the illustrations add to the meaning of the book. I think it comes across more clearly to children in the way that it is portrayed visually.

[SamZ · Rating 3 out of 5]

1983 Caldecott Winner; Favorite Illustration: The daytime Shadow of all the animals on the plains. I love the way all the animals are playing and the shadows are spreading out and hiding behind and under all the animals.
This is a beautiful poem translated from French and illustrated by Marcia Brown using beautiful collage. While this isn't my favorite type of illustration, they did a great job of matching the lovely, but at times creepy tale of the constantly dancing, moving, crawling shadow and it's mute, watchful eyes.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

This eerie book is not a bedtime story. Its spooky pages depict a shadow, known in African culture as a being that slips between the past and the present. At least one page outright terrified me, and the rest of them left me feeling unsettled. The book is unusual, for sure, and I think I'd have a hard time finding a child to whom I could recommend it.

[Jennifer (JenIsNotaBookSnob) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is such a strange book. My daughter wasn't interested at all initially, but, it grew on her. I think she liked the illustrations more than the story which is sort of how I feel about it. The text felt a bit weak compare to the illustrations, though, I'm sure that's partly due to it being a translation.