Thanks to lovely friends at Owlkids Books, I have two new picture books on the review docket. Read on for a look at We All Cast Shadows by James Gladstone and Salini Perera and Dave Whamond’s Shake This Book!. Happy reading!
Written by Canadian author James Gladstone and illustrated by Canadian artist Salini Perera, We All Cast Shadows is an introspective, thoughtful story that looks at- and asks readers- to consider shadow/light in multiple ways. The narrative follows a young girl and their grownup receiving a bright pink flyer for a “Lunar Eclipse Party” as they walk into a sunshine-filled street. In the readers’ foreground, out of the sunshine, we see another child, a young boy holding a basketball. As we follow the young girl, we see the young boy remaining in the shadows of each scene- all alone- while the city scape around him stays bright with flyers and people of all ages and their pets interacting and seemingly preparing for a lunar eclipse celebration. As evening begins to fall, we watch as the young girl takes a step to welcome and beckon the young boy to join their celebration of the eclipse: “We all cast shadows, and all of our shadows need someone to sit with while we eat”. As the two young kids thrill in the light and experience of a “full red Moon” together, the story makes way to a satisfying and hopeful conclusion. Gladstone’s approach to storytelling here is both impactful and lyrical at the same time, with Perera’s gorgeous illustrations wonderfully encapsulating vibrancy and illumination, as well as all manner of shade and dusk. A gentle-hearted story touching upon friendship, shyness, and the impact of welcoming new friends from semidarkness and into light, We All Cast Shadows is a lovely contemplative read with stunning illustrations. Back matter includes information about and an illustrated depiction of a lunar eclipse.
I was fortunate enough to be introduced to interactive picture books shortly after I started leading storytimes as a librarian- and what a gift they are! Hervé Tullet’s Press Here was one of the earliest ones I remember reading and trying out with preschool audiences- and that title was published all the way back in 2010! In the interim years, it has been so delightful to welcome new, zany, happy, silly, and fun interactive picture books to the mix- and here we have Dave Whamond’s Shake This Book! entering the giggly foray. You may recognize Canadian author/illustrator/cartoonist Dave Whamond from the Oddrey series of picture books, or graphic novels such as Alien Nate or Hugo’s Haunted Handbook. In Shake This Book! readers are immediately introduced to a menagerie of sleepy animals. In the midst of a yawning owl and moose and a snoring monkey, a (possibly mischievous) rabbit wonders aloud: “I think it’s time to shake things up around here”, to the dismay of a drowsy caterpillar who notes “UH-OH”! And with that, rabbit kicks things into frenzied action, inviting readers to give the book a mighty shake- to the delight of a chicken who thinks that “that sounds kinda fun”! Whamond’s comics-style artwork, terrific ability to capture movement, and knack for loony dialogue make Shake This Book! is a real riot. With goofy jumbled-up animals, a real clamouring of actions, and great wordplay, Shake This Book! is a wonderful interactive experience. Any readers who love active picture books- think of titles from Jan Thomas, Bill Cotter, Christie Matheson, Richard Byrne, or Claudia Rueda (and more!)- may especially love being introduced to Shake This Book!.
I received copies of these titles from Owlkids Books in exchange for honest reviews. All opinions and comments are my own.
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