Smoot: A Rebellious Shadow

by Michelle Cuevas (Author) Sydney Smith (Illustrator)

Smoot: A Rebellious Shadow
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

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?

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Publishers Weekly

Smoot is a shadow attached to a boy whose life is terribly dull: "Every day they brushed the same teeth, frowned the same frown, and drew the same pictures--always staying perfectly inside the lines." While Smoot's life is boring, Smith's ink, brush, and watercolor portraits are anything but. To emphasize Smoot's inky blackness, Smith (The White Cat and the Monk) keeps the colors bright and contrast high; tiled roofs and cobbled streets give the city backdrop a European feel. One day Smoot comes unstuck from his boy and seizes his new freedom, jumping rope in the park, riding a carousel, and dashing through a landscape of wild splashes of watercolor. When other bored shadows jump at the chance to live out their own suppressed dreams, Smoot must persuade them all to return. The shadow's change of heart is a bit convenient, but Cuevas's (The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles) writing sparkles. Smoot's condition as a shadow parallels the way most humans are tethered to inescapable obligations. When his boy breaks out and starts to live large, it's easy to share Smoot's joy. Ages 4-8. Agent: Emily van Beek, Folio Literary Management. (Sept.)

Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2--A bored shadow cuts loose and explores the wider world. Tired of being bound to a young boy and having to "[brush] the same teeth, [frown] the same frown, and [draw] the same pictures--always staying perfectly inside the line," Smoot the shadow dreams of singing "canary-yellow songs" and dancing "in wildflower red." When he's suddenly popped free of his boy, he skips rope in the playground with a pair of kids, rides a merry-go-round, and climbs a tall tree--all captured in a six-page wordless sequence. The other shadows see all the fun Smoot's having and decide to join the rebellion. A frog's shadow takes the shape of a haughty prince, a dragonfly's shadow transforms into a fearsome fire-breathing dragon, and the seemingly humble shadow of a rock morphs into a towering castle. The shadows are having more fun than their owners! Just when it seems as if the entire world's population of shadows will leave their natural places, Smoot helps bring them back where they belong and, in the process, helps the shadow's owners--and his own boy--live life more fully. Confident storytelling and humorous details ("He packed a few things--some shade, some moonlight, a change of underpants--and hit the road.") make for a delightful read-aloud. Smith's loose line and fluid ink and watercolors perfectly capture the ever-so-slightly mischievous and joyful tone of Cuevas's text. Thick black crayon defines Smoot and his fellow shadowkind. VERDICT Young readers will be hooked by the beguiling premise and respond to the gently delivered message about living life with intention and imagination.--Kiera Parrott, School Library Journal

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

Praise for Smoot: A Rebellious Shadow

* Cuevas' plotline radiates freshness and celebrates the rewards of risk-taking. . . . Not since Peter Pan's has a shadow commanded such well-deserved attention. —Kirkus, starred review

* Just like Smoot and the boy, the text and illustrations of this book fit together seamlessly. . . . Smith's inky shadows and bright watercolor washes are imbued with lively movement, which perfectly capture Smoot's boundless energy. Inspiring without being at all sappy, Smoot's rebellion produces rich results. —Booklist, starred review

A delightful read-aloud. —School Library Journal

A modern fairy tale (of sorts) that . . . visually shines. —Horn Book
Michelle Cuevas
Michelle Cuevas is the author of The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Erin E. Stead, among others. Visit michellecuevas.com.

Catia Chien is an avid painter and has produced work for the children's book market, film and animation industries, comic book anthologies, and galleries. Visit catiachien.com.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780525429692
Lexile Measure
580
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Rocky Pond Books
Publication date
September 12, 2017
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039050 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emotions & Feelings
JUV051000 - Juvenile Fiction | Imagination & Play
JUV039090 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | New Experience
Library of Congress categories
Picture books
Shadows
Self-actualization (Psychology)

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