Poetry Books
Shadow (From the French of Blaise Cendrars)
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Manufacturer: Aladdin
Publisher: Aladdin
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Our Price: $7.99
You Save: $ ( % )
Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Aladdin
Publisher: Aladdin
Average Customer Rating:
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Shadow (From the French of Blaise Cendrars) Description
Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 841.912
EAN: 9780689718755
ISBN: 0689718756
Label: Aladdin
Manufacturer: Aladdin
Number Of Items: 1
Book Pages: 40
Publication Date: 1995-11-01
Publisher: Aladdin
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Studio: Aladdin
Dewey Decimal Number: 841.912
EAN: 9780689718755
ISBN: 0689718756
Label: Aladdin
Manufacturer: Aladdin
Number Of Items: 1
Book Pages: 40
Publication Date: 1995-11-01
Publisher: Aladdin
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Studio: Aladdin
Editorial Review of Shadow (From the French of 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...
Shadow...
It waves with the grasses,
curls up at the foot of trees...
But in the African experience Shadow is much more. The village storytellers and shamans of an Africa that is passing into memory called forth for the poet Blaise Cendrars an eerie image, shifting between the beliefs of the present and the spirits of the past.
Shadow...
It does not cry out,
it has no voice...
It can cast a spell over you...
It follows man everywhere,
even to war...
Marcia Brown's stunning illustrations in collage, inspired by her travels in Africa, evoke the atmosphere and drama of a life now haunted, now enchanted by Shadow.
Customer Reviews of Shadow (From the French of Blaise Cendrars)
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Inredible Art, Thought provoking words
Review: In (...)I used to look at the large posters displayed in the school library showing the various Newberry and Caldecott Award winners. On the Caldecott poster the small picture of Marcia Brown's "shadow" always stood out from the other books. When we were asked to check out a book I was always dismayed to discover that "Shadow" was not available in our libray. Having finally read it some 13+ years later the bold use of color and and word play make it as appealing now as it did on a poster in elementary school.
Marcia Brown has translated the poem from the french language and has used an African theme to illustrate some of the literal and more abstract ideas regarding shadows. Through the words and pictures we see the playfulness and darker aspects of shadows. The pictures are so fantastic and rich, truly a great way to introduce African culture to younger audiences.
I agree with other reviews that the illustrations of this book do have at times a darker, ominous look to them. While the illustrations brilliantly complement the text some younger children could be frightened by them. As with any book, preview the book first to make sure it is appropriate for your child.
Overall I was very impressed with "Shadow", the cover alone still a vivid memory from those days of staring at that Caldecott poster in (...). A beautiful picture book and one that truly deserves a proper look.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Don't try sewing it on with soap
Review: 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.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: shadow
Review: I found this book to be very very weird. It about how a shadow lives and acts. How its around you at all times. How it reacts to the world. Its interesting to read. The book reflects African Culture. So read it
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Gorgeous artwork and imagery
Review: This book explores the life of the shadow through lush poetry and evocative illustration. For those who didn't understand the book, it is an exploration of the underside, the dark side, THE SHADOW of life. We all have a shadow as does the world itself. A ying for every yang. My 10 year explained this to me. She understood the book, and LOVED the pictures. ONE NOTE: Artwork might be a little scary for a child under 5.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: a good book for folk lore
Review: "Shadow" by Marcia Brown
Review Summary: Inredible Art, Thought provoking words
Review: In (...)I used to look at the large posters displayed in the school library showing the various Newberry and Caldecott Award winners. On the Caldecott poster the small picture of Marcia Brown's "shadow" always stood out from the other books. When we were asked to check out a book I was always dismayed to discover that "Shadow" was not available in our libray. Having finally read it some 13+ years later the bold use of color and and word play make it as appealing now as it did on a poster in elementary school.
Marcia Brown has translated the poem from the french language and has used an African theme to illustrate some of the literal and more abstract ideas regarding shadows. Through the words and pictures we see the playfulness and darker aspects of shadows. The pictures are so fantastic and rich, truly a great way to introduce African culture to younger audiences.
I agree with other reviews that the illustrations of this book do have at times a darker, ominous look to them. While the illustrations brilliantly complement the text some younger children could be frightened by them. As with any book, preview the book first to make sure it is appropriate for your child.
Overall I was very impressed with "Shadow", the cover alone still a vivid memory from those days of staring at that Caldecott poster in (...). A beautiful picture book and one that truly deserves a proper look.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Don't try sewing it on with soap
Review: 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.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: shadow
Review: I found this book to be very very weird. It about how a shadow lives and acts. How its around you at all times. How it reacts to the world. Its interesting to read. The book reflects African Culture. So read it
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Gorgeous artwork and imagery
Review: This book explores the life of the shadow through lush poetry and evocative illustration. For those who didn't understand the book, it is an exploration of the underside, the dark side, THE SHADOW of life. We all have a shadow as does the world itself. A ying for every yang. My 10 year explained this to me. She understood the book, and LOVED the pictures. ONE NOTE: Artwork might be a little scary for a child under 5.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: a good book for folk lore
Review: "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.