What do you think?
Rate this book
Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 1
[What Makes a Shadow? (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1)] [By: Bulla, Clyde Robert] [January, 1994]
When you run, your shadow runs. But you can never catch it!What makes a shadow? Where does it come from? When the sun is shining, everything has its own shadow -- trees, houses, cars, even clouds and planes way up in the sky. You have a shadow, too. As the sun sets, all shadows become part of a much larger one -- the night!With simple words and charming illustrations, Clyde Robert Bulla and June Otani explain how shadows are produced. Young readers will discover what makes the shadows they see and will be introduced to the fun of making shadows of their own.
Library Binding
First published January 1, 1962
1 person is currently reading
173 people want to read
About the author
Clyde Robert Bulla
100 books97 followersBorn to be a Writer
Almost as far back as he can remember, Clyde Robert Bulla wanted to write. Born on a farm in a small town in Missouri, Mr. Bulla's first school was a one-room country schoolhouse. One day his teacher asked each first grade student what he or she would do with a thousand dollars. Young Clyde answered that he would buy a table. His classmates laughed heartily, and his teacher was puzzled. “What I really meant,” says Mr. Bulla, “is a desk or other flat surface on which to write my stories!”
First Stories
Mr. Bulla's first piece of writing was titled, “How Planets Were Born.” The ambitious opening sentence was, “One night old Mother Moon had a million babies.” All through school, Mr. Bulla continued to write stories mostly, but plays and poetry, too. After years of gathering editor's rejection slips, Mr. Bulla sold a magazine story, then several more. Soon after, Mr. Bulla wrote a novel and a publisher accepted it.
The Difficult Years
In the excitement of publishing a novel, Mr. Bulla wrote two more books. Unfortunately, no one wanted to publish them. His luck took a turn for the worse when the publisher of his first book went bankrupt. For several years, he worked at a local weekly newspaper where he struggled with linotype, kept books, collected bills, and wrote a weekly column.
Success!
A couple of Mr. Bulla's weekly columns caught the attention of a well-known author and illustrator of children's books. She wrote to Mr. Bulla, suggesting that he try writing a children's book. He immediately sent her a manuscript for a children's book he'd written a year before. Within one week, an editor of a New York publisher read the manuscript,and it was accepted. The book was The Donkey Cart, published in 1946. Since then, Mr. Bulla has written over twenty books for children, as well as the music for several children's song books.
About The Chalk Box Kid
“When I was young,” explains Mr. Bulla, “I sometimes found it hard to cope in new surroundings, and I was apt to get off on the wrong foot. This is the story of a boy who got off on the wrong foot in a new school and how he tried to cope.” In describing the chalk garden, Mr. Bulla says, “I gave Gregory something I've always wished for: a big, blank wall that I could cover with my own drawings.”
Almost as far back as he can remember, Clyde Robert Bulla wanted to write. Born on a farm in a small town in Missouri, Mr. Bulla's first school was a one-room country schoolhouse. One day his teacher asked each first grade student what he or she would do with a thousand dollars. Young Clyde answered that he would buy a table. His classmates laughed heartily, and his teacher was puzzled. “What I really meant,” says Mr. Bulla, “is a desk or other flat surface on which to write my stories!”
First Stories
Mr. Bulla's first piece of writing was titled, “How Planets Were Born.” The ambitious opening sentence was, “One night old Mother Moon had a million babies.” All through school, Mr. Bulla continued to write stories mostly, but plays and poetry, too. After years of gathering editor's rejection slips, Mr. Bulla sold a magazine story, then several more. Soon after, Mr. Bulla wrote a novel and a publisher accepted it.
The Difficult Years
In the excitement of publishing a novel, Mr. Bulla wrote two more books. Unfortunately, no one wanted to publish them. His luck took a turn for the worse when the publisher of his first book went bankrupt. For several years, he worked at a local weekly newspaper where he struggled with linotype, kept books, collected bills, and wrote a weekly column.
Success!
A couple of Mr. Bulla's weekly columns caught the attention of a well-known author and illustrator of children's books. She wrote to Mr. Bulla, suggesting that he try writing a children's book. He immediately sent her a manuscript for a children's book he'd written a year before. Within one week, an editor of a New York publisher read the manuscript,and it was accepted. The book was The Donkey Cart, published in 1946. Since then, Mr. Bulla has written over twenty books for children, as well as the music for several children's song books.
About The Chalk Box Kid
“When I was young,” explains Mr. Bulla, “I sometimes found it hard to cope in new surroundings, and I was apt to get off on the wrong foot. This is the story of a boy who got off on the wrong foot in a new school and how he tried to cope.” In describing the chalk garden, Mr. Bulla says, “I gave Gregory something I've always wished for: a big, blank wall that I could cover with my own drawings.”
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 25, 2019
Book is clear and educational. I will probably like the original illustrations better than these.
January 25, 2020
Clyde Robert Bulla is as good at writing nonfiction as he is early reader chapter books, adapting his simple, sweet style to teach kids basic science concepts in What Makes a Shadow? The book starts with an easy-to-understand explanation of sunlight and why a shadow forms when the light is blocked, then advances to slightly more advanced ideas. Why does a shadow move when the object causing it does? Why can't you grab a shadow? What shadows do we interact with on a regular basis that we don't recognize as shadows, such as a cloudy day, or night's blanket of darkness when the Sun is on the other side of Earth giving them their daytime? Anything opaque can cast a shadow, but objects that allow some light to seep through will make dimmer shadows than denser objects. There's a lot to learn and consider about the nature of shadows, even for readers who understand the basic idea.
What Makes a Shadow? isn't all academic, however. There's a subtle narrative throughout that has a group of kids playing in their neighborhood, learning about shadows while they're having fun. What better way to learn than by playing with friends? Clyde Robert Bulla also raises the topic of shadows cast by artificial light, and this segues into humorous instruction in the art of projecting hand shadows onto a wall using lamplight. What good is science if you can't amuse yourself a little with it? The accompanying illustrations suggest a variety of simple hand shadows one can attempt. The book's last page demonstrates a particularly complex multi-person shadow figure, a fun challenge to try. Science is a fascinating and entertaining field of study, and What Makes a Shadow? shows both aspects winsomely. It's hard to imagine a kid not being more curious about science after finishing this book.
June Otani provides wonderful, warm illustrations for What Makes a Shadow?, her contribution at least as key as the author's. The scene at the park on pages thirty and thirty-one brings Richard Scarry's delightfully busy artwork to mind, a scene filled with kids, grownups, animals, plant life, and inanimate objects projecting their own unique shadows, inviting readers to scan the panorama and point out all the different shadows they find. It turns the book into an interactive exploration of science, a game that prompts discovery and excitement to learn more. I'm giving What Makes a Shadow? two and a half stars, and I recommend it for any teacher discussing scientific concepts with the youngest school kids. Clyde Robert Bulla always comes through, and he's done it again here. This is a very nice book.
What Makes a Shadow? isn't all academic, however. There's a subtle narrative throughout that has a group of kids playing in their neighborhood, learning about shadows while they're having fun. What better way to learn than by playing with friends? Clyde Robert Bulla also raises the topic of shadows cast by artificial light, and this segues into humorous instruction in the art of projecting hand shadows onto a wall using lamplight. What good is science if you can't amuse yourself a little with it? The accompanying illustrations suggest a variety of simple hand shadows one can attempt. The book's last page demonstrates a particularly complex multi-person shadow figure, a fun challenge to try. Science is a fascinating and entertaining field of study, and What Makes a Shadow? shows both aspects winsomely. It's hard to imagine a kid not being more curious about science after finishing this book.
June Otani provides wonderful, warm illustrations for What Makes a Shadow?, her contribution at least as key as the author's. The scene at the park on pages thirty and thirty-one brings Richard Scarry's delightfully busy artwork to mind, a scene filled with kids, grownups, animals, plant life, and inanimate objects projecting their own unique shadows, inviting readers to scan the panorama and point out all the different shadows they find. It turns the book into an interactive exploration of science, a game that prompts discovery and excitement to learn more. I'm giving What Makes a Shadow? two and a half stars, and I recommend it for any teacher discussing scientific concepts with the youngest school kids. Clyde Robert Bulla always comes through, and he's done it again here. This is a very nice book.
April 20, 2012
Such a great book about shadows! This story would be ideal for a kindergarten classroom. This book does not get into too much detail about shadows and that is what makes it ideal for early learning. The book gives facts as to why shadows occur(light and something blocking the light). This book also provides activities for teachers and parent to use to teach shadows.
May 17, 2022
What Makes a Shadow? Is children's picture book that incorporates science, and gets kids thinking about how the sunlight can help them make different animals and shapes. The text is very simple and illustrated and a good simple read for kids. It's an ideal book for kids from ages four to eight. With no winning awards. As you read this book it does not go into detail on how exactly and what helps them make the shadow but in the illustration you see the sunlight making them. But nevertheless it is a good read for early learners. Throughout the book the kids are learning about shadows, and how you can make different animals, and how the trees makes shadows also. It is a good book for kids because its straight to the point. I rated this book three stars because for me it was an ok book but in my opinion it could've been better. But it is a perfect book for younger readers.
May 4, 2017
1) Awards: none
2) Age range: 4-8 years old
3) Summary: This book discusses all types of shadows that are created from everyday items such as airplanes and trees. It address a commonality that people share with intimate objects as well as animals. Then, it provides some for you to try on your own, using your hands.
4) Review: This book is interesting. It feels a little outdated but might be interesting to children that wish to make connections. It may be fun to read before a nature walk, allowing children to look around for different shadows and shapes found outside.
5) In class use:
-read aloud
-keep in the classroom library for independent reading
2) Age range: 4-8 years old
3) Summary: This book discusses all types of shadows that are created from everyday items such as airplanes and trees. It address a commonality that people share with intimate objects as well as animals. Then, it provides some for you to try on your own, using your hands.
4) Review: This book is interesting. It feels a little outdated but might be interesting to children that wish to make connections. It may be fun to read before a nature walk, allowing children to look around for different shadows and shapes found outside.
5) In class use:
-read aloud
-keep in the classroom library for independent reading
May 5, 2017
1. N/a
2. K- 3rd
3.This book was all about shadows. It was not very colorful. The book was partly black and white, orange and blue.
4. This book was easy to read and enjoyable. It was interesting to see all the shadows that the boy encountered throughout the whole day.
5. Science, Weather, transitions
2. K- 3rd
3.This book was all about shadows. It was not very colorful. The book was partly black and white, orange and blue.
4. This book was easy to read and enjoyable. It was interesting to see all the shadows that the boy encountered throughout the whole day.
5. Science, Weather, transitions
February 7, 2019
A good question and answer book about shadows. It's a little bit of a seek and find, too, because of all the shadows they point out. I encouraged the families to go on a shadow hunt on a sunny day. I skipped over a few pages, because I have young ones in my storytime.
2o19 storytime theme: shadows
Reviewed from a library copy.
2o19 storytime theme: shadows
Reviewed from a library copy.
June 8, 2021
Genre: Nonfiction Grade: PreK-3
This is a good book that explains what makes shadows. The pictures are good and realistic. This book gives a lot of examples of things that make shadows along with earth's shadow creating night and day. There is also flashlight shadow examples. This book is just filled with great examples.
This is a good book that explains what makes shadows. The pictures are good and realistic. This book gives a lot of examples of things that make shadows along with earth's shadow creating night and day. There is also flashlight shadow examples. This book is just filled with great examples.
Read
October 20, 2021This story would be ideal for a kindergarten classroom. This book does not get into too much detail about shadows and that is what makes it ideal for early learning. The book gives facts as to why shadows occur (light and something blocking the light). This book also provides activities for teachers and parents to use to teach shadows.
May 1, 2022
I liked the illustrations in this book it fit well with the words. This is a great book when teaching your students about shadows inside or outside. There is no central message or lesson it's mostly aimed at learning. I would recommend this book if you're teaching about shadows, weather, or light in the classroom.
April 12, 2022
I think this is a great book to read to students who are learning about how to manipulate light. Students in first grade are learning about how light can be manipulate and think this a great book to introduce them to this topic.
April 8, 2018
This series seems like a good introduction to science concepts for my preschoolers.
April 24, 2019
Illustrations are not in the later distinctive Adams style.
October 25, 2019
"The sun shines on one side of the earth. The other side is in shadow. The shadow makes the night.
January 27, 2021
Read for Storytime on January 27, 2021
Theme: Groundhog Day
Theme: Groundhog Day
March 8, 2022
This was an excellent book to use with my students when we studied shadows and groundhogs.
April 27, 2022
"What Makes a Shadow" can be a great introduction book to a science lesson, would highly recommend for K-3.
April 17, 2023
This has simple explanations.
July 17, 2024
Even though I give it a 4 i still like the book. It's probably a mistake that I'm making. But anyways, I'm giving it 100 out of 100, and the book was very cool.
April 29, 2019
This enjoyable Let's Read and Find Out About Science book would be fun to read around Groundhog Day, which is when I typically talk about shadows. I expected to like the illustrations by Adrienne Adams more. They were generic compared to her other books.
June 1, 2016
Don't expect to be entertained. This book is non-fiction and slightly boring, the illustrations did not help either. I understand it's a scientific non-fiction, but how are kids suppose to enjoy this book if I as an adult had trouble getting through this? I guess it doesn't help that it was published during the 60s, so that maybe the reason the story was outdated.
Additionally, the content should have been broken down more. Yes, 1st and 2nd graders will probably be able to read the words, but I don't think they will understand the concept. The concept of a shadow should have been explained more than 1 page out o 32. A lot of examples were given, which was helpful.
Bottom line, if you want to teach your kids about shadows, please find something else.
Additionally, the content should have been broken down more. Yes, 1st and 2nd graders will probably be able to read the words, but I don't think they will understand the concept. The concept of a shadow should have been explained more than 1 page out o 32. A lot of examples were given, which was helpful.
Bottom line, if you want to teach your kids about shadows, please find something else.
April 23, 2012
A fun book about shadows and how they are created. It provides examples of how things around us have shadows and how the sun plays a role. This book would be used to introduce a lesson on light and shadows. For an activity, the teacher can take the students on a school tour and they can observe shadows that are around. K-2nd.
July 13, 2012
A beginning science book about light and shadow, with excellent illustrations by June Otani. Great for lessons in preschool through grade 2, but also great fun for family adventures. Bright sun, or night walks with flashlights can yield a variety of shadows, and kids are also attracted to making their own funny shapes in shadow. Ages 3-7.
January 28, 2010
This is a very educational book under the topic of social studies. It talks about shadows to children and teaches them it is everywhere around us! Kids are so engaged because they get to experience after reading it.
December 7, 2011
The students enjoy reading this book because they like looking at the pictures and seeing where the shadow is and what shape it is. This is an easy to read book for beginning readers and I think most children will enjoy this while they learn to read.
April 8, 2012
This book is great for a science activity about shadows. It talks about what makes a shadow and why. This would be a good book to read and then follow it up with going outside and finding different object that are making shadows and figuring out different ways to make a shadow.
October 7, 2013
excellent for learning shadows.
May 21, 2014
This is a good explanation of where shadows come from and why they do what they do, but it's still a little much for me.
January 31, 2017
I enjoyed this book because I like shadows. I also enjoyed this book because this book was about making a shadow.
January 27, 2013
Perfect entry level (stage 1) intro to shadows for young children.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews