Crow From the Shadow (Special Edition): Overcoming Self Doubt with Positive Thinking (Parent-Child-Connect

by Olaolu Ogunyemi, Joshua Ogunyemi

Crow is a very intelligent and talented bird with a bright future! He could be an architect, a professional athlete, or even a military leader... But there is one problem-- The Shadow will not allow Crow to succeed. Join Crow as he learns the secret to defeating The Shadow and achieving success!
Parents, teachers, and mentors, Crow From the Shadow is an easy-to-read story that teaches children a valuable life lesson--YOU control your destiny! The story includes Fun Facts and four "Continue the Conversation" questions that will promote critical thinking and provide a teachable moment.
Join us on our journey to #defeattheshadow
"I really try to help my own children get out of any victim mentality and justification of self-pity. It gets us nowhere, huh? I can even find myself feeling sorry for myself sometimes and have to pursue a paradigm shift so I can move forward with goals and goodness ! Thanks for writing a darling book with a message for all ages!" -Susie K.
"Wow! What can I say? I am truly impressed by your innovation, creativity, and passion to see others enhanced, enlightened, and actively pursuit of defining their destiny. What an amazing opportunity our children have been given through Crow, to identify, highlight, and dispel the many myths and fallacies of our shadows. Whether we admit it or continue to deny its reality, we all have a shadow or many shadows in our life at which we must work diligently to overcome." -Michael P.

34 pages, Hardcover

First published April 7, 2021

About the author

Olaolu Ogunyemi is a U.S. Marine Officer, award-winning author, and leadership strategist dedicated to developing resilient, purpose-driven leaders at work and home. As the Founder of Parent-Child-Connect, Olaolu bridges the gap between high-stakes military discipline and the intentionality required for modern mentorship.

Olaolu is the author of the Amazon best-selling "Crow From the Shadow" and a recipient of the Marine Corps University Foundation’s Command and Control Writing Award. His work—ranging from tactical IT strategy in the Marine Corps Gazette to faith-based resilience on the YouVersion Bible App—is unified by a single mission: equipping influencers to lead with contagious energy and practical frameworks.

Whether he is speaking to corporate executives or classrooms, Olaolu delivers a message of "Marine Corps discipline meets fatherly heart" that transforms how we lead the next generation.

Connect with him at www.parent-child-connect.com.
Find out more about his leadership book at www.leadlastbook.co.

Reviews

[Dennis Black]

Apr 07, 2021 Olaolu Ogunyemi released
Crow From the Shadow

Got 35 ratings that year, 5 the next,
then 2, then 1.  None in 2025.
So how did it get 6 on Mar 26, 2026?

Five, four, three stars awarded.
- 30 + 4 + 1 in 2021
- 3 + 1 + 1 in 2022
- 2 + 0 + 0 in 2023
- 1 + 0 + 0 in 2024
- 0 + 0 + 0 in 2025
- 1 + 0 + 0 on Feb 10, 2026
- 5 + 0 + 1 on Mar 26, 2026
T: 42 + 5 + 3 = 50 ratings
w/ 37 + 5 + 1 = 43 reviews

Total 43 reviews / 50 ratings = 86%.

This year's 7 raters include:
- ADRIAN CHASE, assoc of scammer Rosa J Owens
- 2 from Norway
- 1 joined in Mar
- 1 joined in Feb
- 1 joined in Dec
- 4 joined in Nov

Mar-26 5-star raters' name, loc, joinDate, pic:
- 199849900-adrian-chase US Mar 2026 g
- 198895252-wohm-kate Norway Feb 2026 g
- 195438319-muhammad-robert Philippines Nov 2025 M*
- 195550332-hammad-john US Nov 2025 g
- 195774741-eziekiel Norway Nov 2025 g
Muhammad's photo is stolen from a man in Nigerian
Navy uniform with embroidered name A M Yerima.
Adrian joined GR same month, Wohm the month before.

Mar-26 3-star rater's name, loc, joinDate, pic:
- 196045330-tara ????? Dec 2025 0

Feb-10 5-star rater's name, loc, joinDate, pic:
- 195624645-alex-adam Sudan Nov 2025 M*
Shows stock photo of an unambiguously caucasian
bespectacled young male driving a car, not Sudanese.

* – stolen portrait photo
g – graphics

Out of 42 5-star ratings:
- 16.7% give no surname
- 28.6% show no image
- 28.6% have no followers
- 40.5% have no more than 1 follower
- 90.5% have done multiple reviews

Out of all 50 ratings:
- 18.0% give no surname
- 30.0% show no image
- 26.0% have no followers
- 38.0% have no more than 1 follower
- 90.0% have done multiple reviews

Happened to notice one "following" another.
There's likely more of that.

No overlap with other recently reviewed books.

The ratings before this year are "presumed innocent".
This is a new team, or possibly just 1 scammer
using several sock-puppets.  Not a big fish,
just a small one.  Let's keep it that way.

[Barbara Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crow is a bird that possesses a high level of intelligence. He wants to push himself to his limits. Perhaps he will be an architect, a superstar athlete, or a military genius. Unfortunately, self-doubt in the form of the shadow is always lurking in the background telling him that he cannot succeed.

Children and adults are so often held back by nagging self-doubts. This beautifully illustrated book urges us to aspire to our best and see the possibilities for success not the fears of failure. There is a wonderful opportunity to continue the discussion with parents and teachers by using the discussion questions. In addition, the information section about crows is highly informative.

Recommended for upper elementary school and middle-school-age students.

I received a copy of this book from the author and voluntarily chose to read and review it with my honest opinions for no compensation.

[Belle Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thought provoking read!

I love this uniquely-illustrated book about rising above our circumstances. The story sends a beautiful message about not letting circumstances and limitations keep us from happiness and that each of us has the ability to make change and make our dreams come true. Great discussion questions at the end of the book that will facilitate conversations with children.

[Vedika Agrawal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Believe in yourself and don’t be afraid of failures
The book sends a very important message that we need to believe in ourselves and then we can be anyone we want. The people around us and our fears (shadows) may try to hold us but we need to work hard and succeed. The illustrations are beautiful and funny - seeing a crow marrying and graduating made me laugh. The book is wonderfully written and easy to follow. I read the book on KU to a 6 years old and we both just loved the book. Loved the facts about the crows and questions to discuss with child towards the end. Highly recommended.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Self-doubt - the nagging voice in the back of your head that stops you from achieving your goals and making your dreams come true.
Crow is smart and clever and could be anything - if it wasn't for Shadow, the self-doubt that stops Crows from unfolding his true potential.
A great read for adults and children alike, with a powerful and relevant message!

[Daniela Burley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good resource for parents

This story about a crow is very interesting and takes the young reader on a journey of reflection of themselves. Everyone sometimes experiences these emotions and this book lifts us up to say we can be who we want to be! Very uplifting.

[Ornella Ngabire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book!

I liked the creativity of the author and the intriguing questions the author asked at the end of the story. I also liked the fun facts and the positive ending of the story. However, I think that it could have been better if the author could have chosen a more vivid color to use on the pages to make it attractive and easier to read. Overall, the book is great and it is a must-read!

[MeKael Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes Yes Yes!

This book is a must for your library. It’s for children and adults. We have all experienced the shadow! Negative people, negative thoughts, and negative experiences happen to break us down but you have to be an overcomer and block out all negativity and shadows! Great message! Love it so much.

[Feather Chelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for sparking meaningful family conversation

This is a very thought-provoking book that the entire family can enjoy. It speaks of overcoming your fears, bringing the shadows into the light. I love the discussion questions and the illustrations.

[Olga Kouchnirenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story of acceptance

This is a great story of accepting yourself. Accepting your shadows and fighting fears. The book is very engaging and thought provoking. Great read for kids and adults.

[Kristy Volchko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nailed it!

So many children (and adults) have that annoying, negative, self-sabotaging inner-voice, and this short book is a great reminder that with some awareness, one can cast aside those silly thoughts and soar! You can be your own best cheerleader/coach/motivator or worst enemy...the choice is truly yours. I love that the author brings awareness to this. Five stars!

[Melissa Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific, creatively written book. I love how the author used crows in the story. It delivers a powerful message about how negative shadows lurk around to bring us down, but that you can be and do what you want in life. I really like the educational information about crows and questions to ask at the end of the book.

[Jeff Hopp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beware of the Shadow

This a beautifully illustrated and well written children's book that has a great message to teach your young readers. We all have doubts in ourselves and the story follows a crow as he grows to realize he doesn't need to listen to his shadow who constantly tries to make him lose confidence. The end of the book also has a fact page about crows that I really liked. Very unique book that I think your children will love.

[Bhavani Gorapalli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good narrative to build confidence in children when they make decisions. I recommend is book every parent to help their child deal with their life. There is a strong message that we should only listen our innerself and believe in ourself and that nobody should control us.

[Akilah Trinay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very deep content

Working with children, I know it can be difficult at times to initiate or engage in certain conversations. I love that this book encourages these conversations and for families to talk. With so many things going on, it is good to know if your children are listening to “the shadow”. The content and illustrations are a little too deep and dark for very young children, but would be great for 7-10 year olds. I look forward to more of the P2C books and their content.

[Brittany Mbaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!!

Wow!! I never knew how awesome crows are!!! I think this book is really cool! Great read for kids and adults!

[Favour Usifo · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting book

This is a very interesting kids picture book about the power to choose. The illustrations were unique and beautiful. I recommend this book to little kids who may face peer pressure to make bad choices.

[Sagar Kasare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book about overcoming negativity in life and achieving success. The illustrations are appealing and will be liked by the kids.

[Auxi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagination the mother of creation

Incredible story on how to overcome adversity and self-doubt. It is a great story that helps parents explain a valuable lesson to their children.

[Vera Radvan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a great book that can teach children they can be whoever they want to be, and no shadow can get in their way.

[Tiffany Obeng · Rating 4 out of 5]

Equipped with an extension activity to keep the convo going after the book ends, the book is a useful way to introduce life concepts of overcoming adversity and controlling your destiny.

[Trudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good book about reinforcing that you could be anything you want to be. Not letting negative thoughts influence Cue. You can do it ever you put your mind to.

[Shoshana Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful book is written like an old fable. It reminds me of Aesop's Fables. I love the way the author shows how we all have hopes, dreams and talents, but often something inside of us (The Shadow) tries to stop us from reaching our potential. This book ends on such a positive and powerful note. I really enjoyed it!

[Karen Benedict · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story with a lovely message! It makes you think that you can be anything you want by overcoming your fears. I recommend this book.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots to Think About

This is a very thought provoking story about peer pressure. There are many topics that parents and children can discuss about making good decisions.

[Ernestine Dail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overcoming Obstacles

Great read on defeating shadows no matter what they are in your life. Crow learns how to defeat his shadow of untruths by knowing that he had control of his life and that the shadow did not. Encouraging and inspirational. Recommend.

[Karen Pessoa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uplifting

This is such a positive and uplifting book for young children. The lesson is about fi
Rising above all negativity. The imagery is engaging and compliments the story beautifully.

[Wohm Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shadow tells Crow he can’t succeed, but Crow proves otherwise.
He climbs mountains, greets friends, reads hundreds of words, and excels in school. Those achievements are inspiring, and they show that Crow is more than The Shadow’s lies.
My son said, ‘Crow is smart!’ and we talked about how we can all be smart and successful if we believe in ourselves.

The book’s simple language made that conversation easy. The illustrations of Crow’s achievements were beautiful, and the final pages where he claims his future were unforgettable. This book is a powerful tool for teaching resilience and self-worth.

[Tiffiney Rogers-McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond a Shadow of Doubt

This book teaches that you are what you think, therefore, you must think positive things in order to be successful and achieve your goals. This book is very cleverly written and makes one realize how easy it can be to think negatively about yourself, even though you know differently. Believe in yourself without a shadow of doubt!

[Justine Louis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever book!

This book can serve as a teaching tool to help children over come self-doubt and fear. The author uses character to personify self-doubt through a shadow in a clever way in order for children to better visualize. I also appreciate how he transfers into positive thinking to help readers get through fear. Great job!