11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Don't try sewing it on with soap, July 15, 2004
This review is from: Shadow (Hardcover)
If you want to watch the progression of an artist, just take a gander at the life and accomplishments of the author/illustrator Marcia Brown. The winner of at least three, count 'em, three Caldecott awards, Ms. Brown began her career with lovely but simple picture books. As her work progressed and her talents extended, she moved outside of her comfort zone and began to take bigger and better risks. As a result, "Shadow" was published in 1982, won the 1983 Caldecott, and remains her best work today. A translation of a French poem by the author Blaise Cendrars, the book is a stunning amalgamation of lyrical text, fabulous illustrations, and jaw dropping metaphors.
Before I describe the book, I want to make something clear. This book is meant to entrance. If you have a child that is comfortable reading (or being read) a story about shadows and our own shadowy natures, this is an ideal tale. If, however, you have a literal minded child that doesn't particularly take to stories that lack plots, avoid "Shadow". In this tale the very nature of our darker sides is explored. Marcia Brown, using her customary woodcut techniques, takes us to different parts of Africa. Here, we see scenes that compliment the text. The book describes Shadow with the enigmatic line, "The eye has no shadow". We follow the tale through the nighttime, as Shadow slides behind storytellers and watches you as you sleep. Equally trickster and companion, Shadow is always dark but it does not kill. Blind, it cannot see but will pull the eagle and the vulture if they try to raise it. The final lines in the poem think deeply about the nature of shadows. "Every breath stirs it to life. It is a game. A dance".
Equally prone to statements like, "Shadow itself has no shadow" and "It follows man everywhere, even to war", the book is tackling a very serious subject in a colorful picture book form. And remarkably, it works. The text is translated by Marcia Brown herself (is there anything she can't do?) and is a deep thoughtful series of images. Matching the tone are some of Brown's darkest images yet. There are some freakin' scary images here. The shot of the blind shadow kneeling and stretching its arms out towards the viewer... that's frightening stuff. There's also an image of a mask with deep jagged teeth that, though awesome in the best sense of the word, is a bit of a shock. The images of Africa featured here are done respectfully and with a great deal of talent. Who can resist the silhouetted shot of a forest against the multi-colored sky of the setting sun? In the foreground a black snake with red diamonds curls down a tree trunk. Using watercolored papers and woodblock human characters I can't even begin to describe the technical expertise that must have gone into this book's production. Needless to say, it works beautifully. You feel the grassy plains where the animals run. You can almost touch the stone mountains and rough paths that lead people to war.
Some picture books are written solely to distract children for a few minutes time. Others hope to be taken a little more seriously and bring deep questions to mind. Then there are books like, "Shadow" that become art itself. The book should have won the Caldecott based on its use of color alone. It's a gorgeous undertaking that will engross and enrapture even the most tentative reader. Consider it highly recommended.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Shadow is your silent angle lurking in the darkness., November 15, 1998
By A Customer
Shadow begins with the world split into to halves. The real one and its clear, almost perfect, reflection of itself on a magnificent African lake. Contrary to a reflection a shadow is not bright and brilliant, but is trapped and hidden in the darkness. Even with this being the case it comes alive when in ceremonies and dance. The fire ignites the shadow from us, as if it burst from our very soul. Children are in awe of it as great storytellers tell of its hidden powers as it appears in the dead of night. Shadow stays awake even as you sleep. Protecting you from the powers that be. As the fire goes out the shadow reacts to other light sources, appearing and vanishing quicker than your eyes can adjust to the light. As you move around Shadow tries to follow. Objects block its path, but it always finds its way. Yours is not the only shadow, everyone and everything has a shadow that is sprung to life with the rising of the sun. On the hunt your shadow can give you away. If you are kind to Shadow, it will return the favor. Don't argue with Shadow or step on it; it will never do that to you. Even though Shadow will never say a thing you must be careful of its hypnotic effects. Just like the mask you wear, Shadow can be masked. Sometimes not to be seen for days, but as the suns rays are the essence of your life, Shadow flourishes under them. Shadow is not a coward; he will be there even in your darkest hour as long as there is light. Shadow is a silhouette of what you are. Everyone's shadow is equal in the world. As the day gets longer, so does Shadow. Stretching out across the earth, trying to get away from the setting sun. As the sun descends to the west shadow begins to fade in and out. It becomes increasingly difficult to bring out shadow. No matter how high you can fly, shadow is gone in the darkness.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
a good book for folk lore, November 1, 2002
By A Customer
"Shadow" by Marcia Brown
In this exciting book it tells about the many faces and states of the "shadow"
It starts out saying that the eye has no shadow, and how the Earth, Sun, Fire, Air, Water, owns no shadow, and how shadow has no shadow. It tells how shadow has no home and it comes out at night, and dances with the music, so it is a dancer and prowler. It is mute but listens, and goes behind the storyteller and slips away when the fire is out. Shadow does not sleep. It goes on about how shadow has no form. Shadow it does not cry out, it has no voice... It can cast a spell over you... It follows man everywhere, even to war...
This book is a real nice book to read if you want to read good folklore tales. This is not that hard to read and it will enhance your child's reading capability.
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