#blogbookaday: Smoot: A Rebellious Shadow

Summary:  “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 and 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?” (Taken from Goodreads)

Review: A shadow is bored with his boy who never laughs or leaps or has any fun, so one day he pops free and explores the world “singing canary-yellow songs …and doing a dance in wildflower red.” But soon other shadows get the same idea and Smoot realizes that without their shadows, what will the timid real life things do? So it becomes his mission to grant the things their wishes and bring back their shadows. And he finally returns to his own boy, where a surprise awaits him as well.

Personal Reaction: This book was so fun filled with a shadow that wanted more, but at the same time realizing he needed to help his boy become the person he wanted to be. I loved the mix of ink and watercolor in the illustrations, making clear shadows and washing the town in browns, sepias, rusts and reds. But I think my favorite colors in the story were actually the endpapers – filled with brightly colored watercolor flowers that I just want to gather up and put in a vase on my table. This is a fun story of perspective and that you have to continue reaching for your goals and dreams.

Title: Smoot: A Rebellious Shadow
Author: Michelle Cuevas
Illustrator: Sydney Smith
Publisher: Dial Books
Publication Date: September 12, 2017

This is a new idea I’m trying on my blog this year that was inspired by @donalynbooks and @heisereads – to provide a brief review of a picture book every day of 2018. You’ll get a brief summary of the story, a review of the content, illustrations and theme, my personal reaction to the book and all the pertinent publication information! Enjoy!