In the early morning as the sun is low, Ama and her little brother walk along watching their shadows. They lift their arms up so their shadows reach over fences. As they swing higher and higher, whooping with laughter, their shadows reach out further and further. At the playground Ama chases her brother’s shadow across the sandpit. ‘Can’t catch me!’, he yells. On the seesaw their shadows bounce up and down. As the sun reaches higher they look for their shadows under their feet.
The simplest of premises make for the most wonderful picture books. Shadow Catchers is one of those. Murray’s clever story combined with Blair’s soft and joyful illustrations make this book a keeper. Adults who read this book to children won’t be able to help but look for their own shadow and remember the joy of childhood.
Reviewed by Merle Morcom
Age Guide 3+
Shadow Catchers Kirsty Murray Teachers Notes
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kirsty Murray is a multi-award-winning author of more than 20 books for children and young adults. Based in Melbourne, she is passionate about Australian stories. Her work is published internationally and includes eleven novels as well as non-fiction, junior fiction, historical fiction, speculative fiction and picture books.
Kirsty’s work is widely studied in schools and universities. She has taught creative writing to thousands of writers of all ages in schools, universities and libraries around the world. Kirsty has been a Creative Fellow of the State Library of Victoria and an Asialink Literature Resident in South India. Kirsty is a Director on the board of the Australian Society of Authors and the Copyright Agency and is an advocate for readers and writers of all ages.
Every year, Kirsty teaches creative writing and shares the joy of reading with thousands of young people in libraries, schools and at literary festivals. Kirsty is a passionate advocate of books for readers of all ages.
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