Wow, what a beautiful book - in story, in art, in message. The story is told so tenderly, with beautiful evocative language, and the art just draws you in. A special story about finding your voice and helping nature too - I love the personal note from the author at the end that gives a bit more info to readers and adds an extra layer to the whole package. Special, beautiful and a story that stays with you.

Mariesa Dulak’s sophomore picture book, following the hugely popular ‘There’s a tiger on the train!’ is a different kettle of fish (or rockpool of shark!), but equally worthy of a place on the bedroom bookshelf or sharing at carpet time. The Silver Shadow has been gorgeously illustrated by Alea Marley (her use of colour is just stunning throughout) and tells the story of a young girl, who – whilst pottering with her net on the beach near her Barbados home – finds a juvenile shark trapped in a tidepool. As she fears, her brother and his friends initially want to catch it and sell it to a fisherman, but she is able to gather her courage and stand up to them, keeping guard until high tide brings freedom. It’s a beautiful tale of finding your voice, appreciation of the natural world, and how we are all equally a part of our environment. I loved it.

The wonderful watercolour style of the illustrations are the first thing that caught my eye -- but when I sat down with my daughter to read the story (she's already ten but she still enjoys the visual elements of picture books, so she read it to me instead) I was tugged straight into the story. This soft, lyrical story of a baby shark in a rock pool and the gutsy resolve of a young girl determined to save the creature is dreamy and inspiring, but also motivating in its gentle message. The book is buoyed by the beauty of the author's experience of Bajan culture through her parent's stories and her own eyes. Beautifully captured by the illustrator. And the note at the end about the inspiration for the story is a lovely touch, making that valuable link between the realm of storytelling and real-life roots and experiences.

I love this story about standing up for yourself and for nature. It’s so sweet and simple in the very best way, and just beautiful to read aloud. The illustrations are gloriously vibrant and compelling. My 7yo niece was completely mesmerised. One that will be read over and again!

Mariesa and Alea have created a beautiful book together with a hugely important message about standing up for the plight of the natural world. Alea's illustrations are dreamy from start to finish. The colour palette pulls you in, helping the child reading the story to know this is set in a truly special place. Mariesa takes you on an emotional journey of the importance of standing up for what you know is right and of protecting the natural world in whatever way we are each able to. The reminder to be respectful of anything we might find in a rockpool is further explored at the end. A lovely picture book, reminding us all that nature has a right be free. I highly recommend.