Chasing Shadows

by Corinne Fenton

Everyone feels sad at times,but when sadness lingers ,shadows appear. Some of us, even children, chase shadows
Will a mischievous surpise help Beth chase her shadows away?

32 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2014

About the author

Corinne Fenton has established a reputation for writing beautiful picture-book histories of animals whose lives have become legendary.
Her award-winning books include:Queenie: One Elephant's Story, The Dog on the Tuckerbox and Bob the Railway Dog. Her titles Little Dog and the Christmas Wish and One Christmas Eve, were chosen as themes for the Myer Christmas Windows.

Reviews

[Creative Kids Tales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Shadows, is the gorgeous new picture book from Corinne Fenton and first time published illustrator, Hannah Sommerville.

Corinne introduces us to Beth who is coming to terms with loss of her mother. Corrine shows perfectly rather than tells in this story with the reference to the loss of her mother depicted in the watercolours of Hannah Sommerville. The illustration of Beth on the swing with the shadow of her mother is a particularly powerful.

Beth’s father tries in vain to reach his grief stricken daughter with every young girl’s temptation, a puppy. But for Beth it is too soon. Beth is consumed by the memory of her mother and not ready to re-join the world around her. Patches is an unwanted distraction. But his playful innocence slowly warms Beth’s heart and when Patches is bitten by a snake, Beth along with Patches is brought back to life as she nurses him back to health.

This is a powerful book that will touch the heart of the reader, ideal for children who are experiencing the loss of a parent.

Chasing Shadows combines beautiful watercolours from Hannah Sommerville with the powerful yet compassionate voice of Corrine Fenton.
http://www.creativekidstales.com.au/a...

[Robyn Donoghue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corinne Fenton and Hannah Sommerville’s Chasing Shadows is the kind and honest story of a young girl Beth, who is navigating her way through the shadows of grief after the loss of her mum. It begins with a touching moment, showing a father’s attempt to make his daughter’s path a gentler one by bringing home a puppy. Beth thinks it is too soon, so on the surface his effort appears futile. But grief is deep and complex and Corinne Fenton’s lyrical words and Hannah Sommerville’s soft illustrations allow the reader to tread gently through the theme and discover its many layers.

The dad, dealing with his own grief, knows it is a solitary journey that one can only negotiate alone. He can only watch out for his daughter as she is overwhelmed by sadness and silenced by grief. The puppy provides cathartic relief. Whilst Beth is consumed by shadows, Patch’s exuberance overflows with abundance, drawing Beth out slowly and gently into the sunshine, as only a puppy can.

The text and illustrations are subtly layered, and gain in complexity through multiple readings, opening a doorway into deeper discussions. Corinne Fenton approaches the topic with care but remains honest without being precious, while Hannah Sommerville’s illustrations fill out the details in basic but subtle ways. For instance the identity shift involved when losing a parent can be seen throughout the book as we see Beth focusing on her mother’s necklace and her eventual ownership of it.

This wonderful book would be of great benefit to children coming to terms with the loss of a family member or any other times of great sadness.

[Paul Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Shadows is a book that involves illustration to tell the story and highlights this through observation. With limited text throughout, that is selectively chosen and descriptively positioned, simple yet enough. A lovely combination of using ‘shadows’ in a conventional way that connection, warmth and understanding is felt consistently throughout this book and supports how a child deals with depression.

Beth a young child who feels sadness and loss struggles to cope. Beth’s father buys a puppy to help ease her pain, however it is all too soon for her. The empathy in the story identifies the ‘shadows’ being the feeling, the warmth, the comfort they create and the memories they bring. As Beth observes the puppy from a distance connections are beginning to form. The sadness evolves and moves to a new level as she connects with the puppy.

The author Corinne Fenton captures your interest in the story extremely well you can feel certainly touched by what Beth is feeling inside. The subtle colours and the whimsical style illustrations used by Hannah Sommerville suit the title of the book very effectively. Each page flows and seeps with carefully created shadow shapes. A story that supports children who may be going through depression and engages the use of a scenario as in this case ‘shadows’ to make connections to the real world. A very well thought out book for young children.

REVIEWED BY ALLISON BORLAND

[Paul Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Shadows is a book that involves illustration to tell the story and highlights this through observation. With limited text throughout, that is selectively chosen and descriptively positioned, simple yet enough. A lovely combination of using ‘shadows’ in a conventional way that connection, warmth and understanding is felt consistently throughout this book and supports how a child deals with depression.
Beth a young child who feels sadness and loss struggles to cope. Beth’s father buys a puppy to help ease her pain, however it is all too soon for her. The empathy in the story identifies the ‘shadows’ being the feeling, the warmth, the comfort they create and the memories they bring. As Beth observes the puppy from a distance connections are beginning to form. The sadness evolves and moves to a new level as she connects with the puppy.
The author Corinne Fenton captures your interest in the story extremely well you can feel certainly touched by what Beth is feeling inside. The subtle colours and the whimsical style illustrations used by Hannah Sommerville suit the title of the book very effectively. Each page flows and seeps with carefully created shadow shapes. A story that supports children who may be going through depression and engages the use of a scenario as in this case ‘shadows’ to make connections to the real world. A very well thought out book for young children.

ALLISON BORLAND

[Hazel Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely versatile picture book which could be shared across age groups and generations. The young girl has suffered loss and the new dog Patches slowly offers comfort, and fun.

Good picture books have subtext, which suggest ideas beneath. 'Chasing Shadows'does this. Corinne Fenton is an experienced reader of stories and the pace of the poetic text is skilfully managed.

Illustrations by Hannah Sommerville are delicate, realistic and the endpapers are a delight.

Could be shared at the level of anyone who loves dogs OR to provide comfort and an opportunity to discuss for those suffering a recent or close loss.

Would highly recommend for classrooms, libraries and families. A beautiful work.

[Get Ahead Kids · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth is feeling sad. Beth's father brings home a new puppy as a surprise in the hope that her spirits might brighten.

Beth shows no interest or love for the puppy until he is bitten by a snake. This event is just what she needs to help bring her out of the dark shadows.

This book highlights that even children suffer from depression and are unable to communicate with adults at times. The soft illustrations beautifully express the emotions of a delicate subject. Ideal for older picture book readers, this book is also a great educational tool for parents and teachers.

[Robyn Donoghue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corinne Fenton and Hannah Sommerville’s Chasing Shadows is the kind and honest story of a young girl Beth, who is navigating her way through the shadows of grief after the loss of her mum. It begins with a touching moment, showing a father’s attempt to make his daughter’s path a gentler one by bringing home a puppy. Beth thinks it is too soon, so on the surface his effort appears futile. But grief is deep and complex and Corinne Fenton’s lyrical words and Hannah Sommerville’s soft illustrations allow the reader to tread gently through the theme and discover its many layers.

The dad, dealing with his own grief, knows it is a solitary journey that one can only negotiate alone. He can only watch out for his daughter as she is overwhelmed by sadness and silenced by grief. The puppy provides cathartic relief. Whilst Beth is consumed by shadows, Patch’s exuberance overflows with abundance, drawing Beth out slowly and gently into the sunshine, as only a puppy can.

The text and illustrations are subtly layered, and gain in complexity through multiple readings, opening a doorway into deeper discussions. Corinne Fenton approaches the topic with care but remains honest without being precious, while Hannah Sommerville’s illustrations fill out the details in basic but subtle ways. For instance the identity shift involved when losing a parent can be seen throughout the book as we see Beth focusing on her mother’s necklace and her eventual ownership of it.

This wonderful book would be of great benefit to children coming to terms with the loss of a family member or any other times of great sadness.