Hortense and the Shadow

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Pub Date 28 Nov 2017 | Archive Date 30 Nov 2017

Description

"Through the dark and wolfish woods,
through the white and silent snow,
lived a small girl called Hortense.
Though kind and brave, she was sad as an owl because of one thing . . .
Hortense hated her shadow."

A beautifully illustrated dark fairy tale that will remind you of the fables you read as a child. A treasure not to be missed.

"Through the dark and wolfish woods,
through the white and silent snow,
lived a small girl called Hortense.
Though kind and brave, she was sad as an owl because of one thing . . .
Hortense hated her...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9780141374024
PRICE CA$22.99 (CAD)
PAGES 32

Average rating from 177 members


Featured Reviews

This was a delight. The story is simple enough to appear to be a long-lost, middle European folktale, except it seems to be brand new. A girl in the woods and the snow and the (occasional) dark decides she's had enough of her shadow, so gets rid of it. The visuals are just as fine - perfect for laying out this or any Christmas, as it just looks sparkly and lush. Sometimes the jumble of words are not always easy to find on the page, but this will be a book that's turned to more than just a few times.

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Gorgeous, majestic and cozy snowy winter art with story about a good girl finally accepting her shadow and its gifts. Thanks to NetGalley for providing this ebook for review.

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This is a beautiful book and the illustrations are simply wonderful. Hortense hates her shadow and is cross that it follows her everywhere she goes so she decides to get rid of it. However one night she discovers what a gift her shadow is to her and how much she needs it. This is a book about embracing every part of ourselves and one I will read over and over. Thank you NetGalley and Puffin Books for giving me a free copy of this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review

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It takes a special book to invoke such a whimsical and loving feeling within a few words and brilliant illustrations. This book is marvelous in every way.

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The book is very brilliant in it's weirdness about a girl who decides her shadow hates her so tries to escape from it. I think it was brilliant and ready enjoyed it. I also thought the artwork on the pages was very well drawn and added a lot to the book

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Beautifully illustrated and an exciting story. Loved the images and the story is one to share. I like the idea of making the dark less scary as I was terrified as a child.

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Atmospherically elegant with illustrations that completely compel an obsessive adoration. I want to surround myself with this beauty!

-Jesica Sweedler DeHart

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I kept seeing the Ohara sisters' work for Hortense and the Shadow all over my instagram, and I do not think that the depth and variety of styles in this picture book was really conveyed within what they showed on their instagram, which is a good thing. As I was blown away by the vastly different layouts for each page, and the lyrical writing. Hortense and the Shadow's illustration is almost like lace, or something you'd find on a piece of china, as it is as lyrical as the writing and delicate looking.

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Hortense and the shadow is a children's book aimed for the age group 5-7 years.
It is an interesting read about a girl called Hortense. She dislikes her shadow and is annoyed it follows her everywhere she goes. It takes a scary event for her to appreciate what she has lost. A shadow may be scary at times but it can also have advantages.

This is a creative story with a difference. I really enjoyed this book. It has a hidden meaning behind the story which could be adapted to fit children's fears.

5 stars out of 5.

*ARC received in exchange for a fair review*

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Hortense and the shadow is an absolutely lovely story, it's about a little girl who hates her shadow so it goes away. Beautifully illustrated with lots of pictures for the children to see.
Wonderful story that I've had to read 3 times in one sitting with my little girl
Highly recommended

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Hortense and the shadow was a less than 5 minute read for me. If I had had a younger child to read it to, I'm sure the experience would have been longer. In saying that, I did enjoy this fairytale type of story. I'm not sure if I have my culture correct, but it gave me Russian fairytale vibes, similar (but simpler and more child friendly) to The Bear and the Nightingale.
There's not too much to it and I wouldn't agree with the publisher that it is like the Grimm fairytales because this wasn't a dark read at all. It is more like the other comparision they made: The Fox and the Star.
The illustrations are so stunning. I'd love to own prints of some of these.
Ultimately, although I enjoyed it, it wasn't great enough for me to think about purchasing it, especially because it will cost around £10.99 for 30ish pages. It is stunning though, and I feel perhaps someone who loves little books like this, or perhaps have children, would want to own a physical copy.
I ended up having to read this as a protected pdf on my PC because all the imagry and words got jumbled up when I tried to read it on my tablet.

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Beautifully illustrated, this book tells the story of a little girl who wants to get rid of her shadow. It shows the shadow as a part of the girls' self she is afraid of but in the end embraces as a helpful trait to fight danger. This is a lovely, original story of high quality.

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Hortense and the shadow is so much more than I expected, it starts out dark and I begin to wonder whether this will be a book I would like. I was never a fan of the dark fairytale as a child, but as I turn each page I begin to fall more and more in love with Hortense and her shadow. It is one of those stories that when you have read it once that you will want to read it over and over and it will become a favourite.

“Though Kind and brave, she was sad as an owl because of one thing. Hortense hated her shadow.” Hortense really doesn’t like her shadow – it is with her always, it is crooked, it is with her in holes, and behind columns – no matter what she did it is everywhere she is. Eventually Hortense manages to get separated from her shadow and it is then when she finds out she needs it the most and just why her shadow was with her always.

The illustrations are simply beautiful, they remind me of an old china plate, with intricate patterns in white and blue with the odd small pop of yellow, red, pink and grey. Each time I read through the book I discover something new, and at a closer look I notice that hiding throughout the book are some hidden people that we meet later in the story…keep a lookout for them.

This story is memorable and beautifully heartwarming, and like all fairytales it delivers a message. In this book, the message I get from it is that sometimes the parts of yourself that you like the least because they are strange, silly, weird or flawed, are the best parts that make you the beautiful person that you are and are usually that way for a reason that we sometimes don’t see.

I highly recommend this book and can see it being a treasured, modern day fairytale for the avid young reader.

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The illustrations in this are beautiful and add depth to the words. This is an ideal story to use with lower Key Stage 2 when investigating how illustrations and words can work together to draw a reader in. This would also work well for introducing new vocabulary such as 'ottoman' - most of my children wouldn't recognise that word and would enjoy identifying its meaning with the support of the illustrations.
This is also a great book for a parent to read with a child at home. Shadows can be scary for children so it's an ideal bedtime story for kids to know their shadows will protect them.

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A wonderfully illustrated story with an enchanting tale based around a young girl and her shadow.

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I thought this book had a nice, old-fashioned feel to it but reading it on the Kindle didn't give me the best vision of what it will look like as a hard copy. I suspect it will be along Eloise lines which is fine although I think it might have limited appeal for today's picture book audience.

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Hortense and the Shadow is a short picture book about a little girl who hates her shadow. At only 32 pages, it's incredibly short, however it does the job of describing Hortense and her tale very well, and rather eloquently. This read almost like a fairy or folk tale, although it conveys a very relevant message about acceptance and to never fear being alone.

It's the illustrations that really bring the tale to life, and they go wonderfully with the story. Their beautiful, and compliment the winter aslect of the tale well.

A great addition to any children's library.

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Hortense hates her shadow. That thing just won't leave her alone. It follows her everywhere. But one night when bandits attacked she realises she was wrong about her dark companion.

As always with my childrens book reviews it isn't really my opinion. It's my daughter's, now 6 and almost as passionate about books as her mum. She loved this. Initially I read this to her (with her commentary about the illustrations added) and then she immediately read it herself. We both loved the illustrations, they added to the other worldliness of the story which is pure unadulterated fantasy. When I asked her what she liked about it after she told me it was getting five stars she said she liked how it was about needing someone and getting them back, and how even if you argue you can make up. So it got her thinking which is surely half the point? I personally would give it five stars as well just purely on the enjoyment she got out of it.

I received this from Puffin and Penguin Random House via Netgalley for an honest review.

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Delightful tale filled with gorgeous illustrations.
Young Hortense is fed up of her shadow, so one day traps it, cutting it off from her body. Little does she realise how useful her shadow is until she's in peril.
This is the perfect story for independent readers aged 7+, or bedtime for younger children.

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This book is. Aimed at 5 to 7 year olds and tells the story of Hortense who hated her shadow.
This is a fairy story all about shadows and light and Hortenses discovery that her shadow was very important when she was faced with danger in the woods.

The illustrations are very dark but work very well with the story.

This story could be useful exploring children's fears of the dark and the hidden meaning could be adapted to an individual child's fears. It was well received from my 5 year old readers who had a few questions after reading the book and was requested again which is always a good sign.

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I thought that this book would be excellent for use in the classroom - in particular discussions around issues such as fears and to promote an engaging approach for teaching grammar for writing.

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An unusual picture book about a little girl called Hortense who inexplicably hates her shadow. The illustrations set in a wintery looking forest had a Russian feel to them and were interesting. However, perhaps due to the nature of the galley copy, the text seemed a little jumbled initially making it hard to be sure I was reading it in the correct order on my Kindle Fire. Despite this,I think the story would appeal mostly to ages 5-7 and could be used to bring interest to a topic on shadows if considering for the curriculum. Some more sensitive children may find it slightly scary as Hortense seems to be frightened of her shadow and very keen to escape from it. The interlude with the bandits is the turning point over which Hortense learns the value of her shadow and begins to enjoy it. I can see how this might lead to a few enjoyable hours of shadow play with the children.

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This is such a beautifully illustrated picture book. It was creative and perfect for imaginative young readers.

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What a deliciously dark story! I absolutely love the illustrations, which all add to the slightly creepy effect. This has a classic fairytale feel about it. I loved it! Not sure that it's quite appropriate to read to my toddler yet without scaring him to death, but as a teacher, I can really see the books used in primary schools. The book is perfectly aimed for 5-7 year old's but I can see older children unpicking the text in a school setting. There is enough depth to the story and imagination to provoke questions and explore further. Children are fascinated by their shadows and this story has a dark vibe which will definitely appeal to older children.

Fab book. I'd love to see the paperback version as you don't get the full effect with the Ebook so I will look out for its release. Overall, a dark and twisted read that older children will love!

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Hortense hated her shadow. Everywhere she went, it went. Everything she did, it did. And every time night fell it grew, tall and dark and crooked.
So Hortense decided: the shadow must go !

It was cute ! The illustrations are wonderful ! The story is simple but original !
It was a cozy snowy winter story ! I recommend this book to talk about fear, dark with children !

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I was sent an early copy of this beautiful book in return for my honest and independent review.
I absolutely love children's picture books and this was a joy to review.
Have you heard the saying ' Oh she's afraid of her own shadow' well this lovely story is about a small girl who is.
It follows her journey in words and stunning scenes to see how she overcomes this fear.
I would recommend you buy this in hard copy so that you can truly immerse yourself into this story.
Great to have a copy in any primary school or home bookshelves. I'm certainly going to get mine.

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A beautiful book. Stunning illustrations and a wonderfully fun and meaningful story.

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Hortense and the shadow is a very sweet and charming picture storybook about a girl and her shadow.
Hortense, at the beginning, becomes very annoyed with her shadow as it is everywhere she goes, making her look out of proportion. She does what any child would do and tries to hide her shadow, with one day managing to separate herself from it. Now seemingly free she soon finds that it would be nicer to have it back than to have to face some bandits alone. They are reunited with a beautiful message.

The story presents itself a lovely little message about how comforting and companionable a shadow can be when one is alone, and how it can much fun you can have with it. Also that it is nothing to be annoyed at or afraid of. It is delivered alongside some absolutely gorgeous illustrations, that I personally would love prints of for my walls. All in all a beautiful little book that I'm sure kids and adults will just genuinely adore.

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What a perfectly adorable and yet deceptively dark read!

This is a small picture book about a girl called Hortense and her discontent with the shadow that follows her wherever she goes. Despite the limited text the reader truly gets a feel for this darling little protagonist and the accompanying art work only enhances the beauty of this small but impressive read.

The art had a whimsical quality reminiscent of the illustrations from some of my most beloved fairy tales anthologies. The tale itself also evoked the same qualities and, for this reason, the two combined to give this a timeless and universal appeal.

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This is such a beautiful book: both in the gorgeous pastel illustrations and in the wonderful prose. Hortense, like many children (and not too few adults) is scared of the ghastly shapes that her shadow makes. Her shadow follows her everywhere, so she does all she can to rid herself of it. But then, one dark night when all seems lost, it is her shadow that saves the day (or night!), and Hortense realises that “if (the shadow) is sometimes dark, cross, silly, jagged or blue, well sometimes Hortense is too”.
This book will thrill all – young or old. Underneath the fairy tale story, it is about a young girl coming to terms with her appearance, and all facets of her being – the good, the bad and the ugly – each has a part to play in making the child into a rounded human being.
The story makes me think of Adelbert von Chamisso’s novella “Peter Schlemihl”. Peter sells his shadow to the Devil, and thence is completely ostracised from society as a person with no shadow is held to be untrustworthy, however much money he has. Hortense realises just in time that her shadow is part of who she is.

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This is the first children's book that I have read as an adult and despite its short length (only 18 pages), I really enjoyed it. The artwork is delightfully stunning and I really really wish that I could put some of it on my wall.

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Do I want children? No sure. Would I have children just to give them pretty names, dress them up, and read picture books with cute illustrations to them? I guess so! Good thing I have a godchild I can read this to instead. Hortense and the Shadow is a great example of children's graphic design and will serve me as an attempt to turn that one-year old into an art afficionado. Not much of a deeper message to find between the rhyming lines, but there doesn't have to be one in everything.

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Beautifully illustrated with a cute premise. Will definitely be picking this up when it's released!

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Hortense’s shadow follows her everywhere, copies everything she does and never leaves her. She hates it. Only when she is rid of it, and finds herself in desperate trouble, does she discover it's true value.

Stunning, delicate illustrations not only complement, but add depth and narrative to this wonderfully original fairytale. The muted colour palette and white space add to the ethereal feel, with lots of intricate detail to explore and enjoy. The message of true friends always being there for you no matter what shines through.

Great for fans of The Fox And The Star and Under The Same Sky.

ebook proof courtesy of Penguin Random House UK Children's Books via Netgalley.

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Well this is so beautiful and haunting, my little one got a bit scared half way through and I was a tiny bit worried, but things turned out wonderfully at the end - phew! The illustrations are just lovely, and the story is clever and thoughtful, we talked a lot about shadows and being frightened and who looks after us etc. It was a really good read for a wide range of ages, and we will be reading it again and again I'm sure.

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I am always on the look out for picture books, especially as I have gone back to Key Stage 1 (5-7 years old). I'm currently with the older range of children and I knew from the synopsis that this book would be perfect for my class! I was happy to read it first and know now that I'll be purchasing a copy for my class!

The story centres around Hortense who is a lovely girl, but she's very frustrated with her shadow. She can't seem to work out why it keeps following her around! She hates her shadow and is convinced that the feeling is mutual. Hortense soon finds out that she needs her shadow after an experience with bandits on a cold night.

I really liked Hortense as a character and think many children will be able to identify with her!

I thought this was an adorable story, very fairy tale-esque in its nature. The illustrations are stunning and I think it carries a wonderful theme of self-identity. I can imagine that I'd use it for a discussion about self-esteem because it does explore that throughout the story in an incredibly subtle way.

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I was initially attracted to this children’s story by the beautiful cover.

I just happened to have it on my NetGalley shelf when my six year old niece came to visit for a few days last week, so she was able to read it to me and her grandma. She had slight issues with the pronunciation of the name Hortense, as it’s not a name she’s heard before, but she got there in the end. She enjoyed the story, particularly liked the ending, and seemed to be fascinated by the bandits. She has asked me to give it four out of five stars.

As for me, I thought it was a fascinating story about a girl and the troubled relationship she has with her own shadow. The illustrations are beautiful. I love the choice of pastel colours mixed with black, navy and grey, giving it a whimsical fairy tale feel with a hint of darkness that many fairy tales have. Although more detailed and more subtle in colour, I would say the illustrations and even the story to some degree reminded me a little of The Fox and the Star, so I think this would appeal to fans of that story. I give this four out of five stars too.

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This lovely picture books tells the story of Hortense who wants to get rid of her shadow and takes drastic steps to do so. She's very happy without it until she is threatened by robbers and her shadow saves the day by taking the shape of a bear and frightening them off. The two are then reunited. Beautiful illustrations perfectly complement the text and there is so much to see in them that repeat readings wouldn't be a chore as you would notice different details each time. I particularly liked the pictures of the forest at night, the colour palette is just lovely and very striking. Perfect as a gentle bedtime story or as a read aloud at any time of day.

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This is a beautifully illustrated picture book telling the story of a little girl and her shadow. It's deceptively dark - although not Roald Dahl dark - and I liked it a lot. I may well add it to my shortlist for Christmas present books.

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This story tells of a little girl who is scared of her shadow, but who learns that it is the braver half of her. This would be a good text to read with lower juniors who are learning about light and shadow.

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Hortense and the Shadow, by Natalia O'Hara and Lauren O'Hara is a delightful picture book for children.

A little girl named Hortense hates her shadow, especially since it follows her everywhere, and Hortense decides her shadow must go away. However, she later realizes that her shadow is there for a reason.

Within thirty-two pages, this children's book features an intriguing story and lovely illustrations.

Hortense and the Shadow is geared toward young children, particularly kindergartners to third graders. Highly recommend adding this book to your collection!


Note: I received this book from NetGalley, which is a program designed for bloggers to write book reviews in exchange for books, yet the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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This book was such a short, delightful read. The pictures are great!!! I'm very old for a book like this, but even then I enjoyed it. I'm going to buy this for my little nephew!!

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I read this book with my seven year old daughter, who loved the whimsical nature of the story. It's a re-telling of common childhood fears (the dark; one's shadow; dangers from the world outside the safety of home), and would be especially suited to children whose own shadows bother them. As an adult reader, some of the text is predicable and twee (e.g. Hortense's explanation of how her shadow protects and inspires her), but it works very well for younger readers who aren't accustomed to it. The illustrations are by far my favourite element of this book - they are stunning! The pale, simple colour scheme highlights the snowy setting of the story, and contrasts perfectly with the shadow.the colour combinations are unusual, making the book stand out. I would definitely recommend this book, as would my daughter!

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I'm still not totally certain of how to review picture books and this is my first picture book I've read as an adult outside of some good old Dr Seuss (it's the rhymes, guys, who can resist a rhyme?

I think the art in this book was amazing. Like truly stunning, I just wanted to marvel at the pictures as I read it. The dedication to the drawings shone through and I know picture books use the pictures to aid the story and it totally made the story so much better and any child (any adult) would have wanted to look at them.

I found the story to be short and simple and strangely sweet. Hortense hated her shadow and seeing the lengths she went to to lose it was extreme. It was sweet, though, and totally the kind of book you can see reading to children. I'd really read it more for the pictures than the story, though.

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Hortense and the Shadow was a cute and insightful children’s illustration book that I absolutely adored. All of the illustrations were beautiful and gave the perfect setting to the book both in the lighthearted and scary points in the book. Hortense and the Shadow tells the story of a young girl named Hortense who does not like her shadow. It always follows her around and bothers her, getting in her way and scaring her. Hortense believes that cutting off her shadow will fix many of her problems but when some strange figures show up at her house one night she realizes the strengths that her shadow has and all that it did for her.
I work at a summer camp. It is my favorite place to be especially when I am surrounded by all of the children there. When I look at picture and children’s book I try to always find ones that would work out well to read to my campers and would have a nice and understandable meaning to it. I cannot wait for this summer and being able to bring to camp the snowy setting of Hortense and the Shadow.

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Puffin invited me to view this title on NetGalley, and I'm glad that I decided to check it out. The premise is simple: Hortense is scared of her shadow, so she decides it has to go!
If I was still working as a library assistant, Hortense and the Shadow would have been a must-read during storytime. It's so simple yet effective, and the illustrations are unbelievably gorgeous. It's hard to believe that this has been created by two debut picture book writers.
This was a very quick read for me (under five minutes!) but for someone who's been struggling through Simone de Beauvoir's 'The Second Sex' all day, this was a welcome reprieve. Thank you, Puffin, for inviting me to view this title, and to the authors for bringing some much needed magic to my day.

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Absolutely stunning, such a wonderful story and captivating illustrations made me want to be a child again. I shared this with some if the younger members if my family and each one loved it as much as myself

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Absolutely beautiful, gorgeous illustrations and a really lovely story. This book belongs on the bookshelf of every young person.
I've seen the hard back edition and it would make a wonderful gift, I may even buy myself a copy as I read the digital edition courtesy of NetGalley.

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4 stars for this stunning fairy tale.

I chose this ebook because I thought it charming that it is written and illustrated by two sisters. And I am really pleased with my choice, as this children's picture book is beautifully compelling to look at and read. The illustrations are drawn from a limited palette of pastel and dark shades that reflects the innocence and darkness of the story, and I think this works really well. I lingered over these gorgeous illustrations for some time. A young child might be scared of the lurking figures that are unexplained until near the end of the book.

The story is told quite simply with some deliciously wild imagery: 'wolfish woods' and 'Wind flew through the woods like a pack of wild dogs' are two of my favourites. The theme of the book has much in common with that of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, but written for children and with a happy ending! A real treat.

I received this ebook free from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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This is a lovely book. I love the evocative pictures that accompany the text. Hortense is a little girl who decides that she doesn't really like the fact that her shadow hangs around. But what happens when her shadow goes away... You will have to read the book to find out.

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‘She reached for her shadow…and her shadow reached back.’

Hortense and the Shadow is a delightful new children’s book; the illustrations are lovely, evoking classic fairy tales and luscious Eastern European landscapes, and the narrative that the O’Hara sisters have created has surprising depth to it, exploring ideas of self-esteem, identity, and inner strength.

The story is about Hortense, a young girl who is afraid of her shadow. She longs for nothing more than to be rid of it, but she soon discovers that her shadow is as vital a part of her as everything else. It may sound simple but, as with most children’s books, Hortense and the Shadow has a very important message within it. Although she fears her shadow, Hortense is a brave and kind girl – she cares for those who are injured, and when bandits attack she rushes out in the dark forest to try and defend her own. She realises that even though her shadow may turn into strange, dark shapes, it’s still a part of her, and people can be just as strange and dark at times, too.

The illustrations are absolutely stunning, everything about them conjures up fairy tales told on a cold winter’s night, huddled up in front of a fire with mulled orange or hot chocolate. They compliment the story beautifully and I could happily spend my time just flicking through and enjoying the gentle watercolours; pastel blues and pinks intermingle with greys and navy blue to create a feast for the eyes and I wanted to dive right into the story and live within it (keeping my fingers crossed for a Hortense and the Shadow print collection).

Children and adults alike will love this story, and I can see it becoming a new classic with its message of bravery and kindness and beautiful illustrations. Whether you have children in your life or not, I would highly recommend bringing this enchanting book into your life.

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Rating: 4.5/5

This is a delightful picture book telling the story of Hortense who initially hates her own shadow. The illustrations are gorgeous snowy images in subtle pastel shades that really enhance to story. They are the sorts of images that are so detailed that you can spot new things in each time you read the story.

This is a fairy story about light and shadows and shows how Hortense learns to accept her shadow and appreciate its properties, especially when it comes to her rescue! It could easily be used by adults to help children come to terms with their own fears. I think it is a book that could be read time and time again, becoming a treasured book.

I requested and received a copy of this novel, via NetGalley, with no obligation. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.

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Hortense and the Shadow is a beautiful picture book.

Hortense is angry that her shadow follows her everywhere, and resolves to get rid of it. One night, bandits surprise her in the woods and she discovers that she needs her shadow to make her bigger and braver. This is a lovely exploration of self and embracing the parts of yourself you might not like.

The pictures in it are gorgeous, but it was difficult to appreciate them fully on my Kindle, so this is one I will have to get in physical copy to fully enjoy it.

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a little girl is spooked by her shadow on all occasions, and seeks to lose it. However, when trouble appears, she invites it back to keep her company and safe.
This is a sweetly illustrated children's book, with a message to children about being safe and feeling safe. The idea is delightful, and would appeal to children between the ages of 4 - 9 years.
The illustrations add to the book's plot.
Thank you to Net Galley, and the publisher for allowing me to read this book.

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Hortense is a sweet little girl who hates her shadow. In a very Peter Pan-like move, she cuts it off one day. The shadow runs off and gets lost in the dark. Kids will be surprised when Hortense and her shadow are reunited!

The illustrations in this book are beautiful. Alternating between full-page and small pictures, illustrator Lauren O’Hara captures Hortense’s dislike and fear as the shadow looms over her. Ms. O’Hara makes the woods around Hortense’s home appear both friendly and frightening, as the story progresses. Her illustrations pair perfectly with her sister, author Natalia O’Hara’s, story of Hortense.

I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

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Hortense hates her shadow and wants to get rid of it.

I loved the atmosphere of the book. It's an eerie fairytale, with Hortense living alone in a dark wood, and her shadow as something that can act independently.

There's a poetic feel and it rhymes in places. Some of the pages have words spread out in artistic ways. This is great for children who love finding words, but could hinder those who struggle. The main thing is to be ready to help struggling readers find their way.

The artwork is intricate in muted tones. The creators were inspired by stories from their Polish grandmother, which particularly shows in the setting. The winters are snowy. The characters wear fur hats and fur-lined clothing. They have black hair and high cheekbones. This is one time where having Eastern European characters as the villains (a group of bandits) actually works, because Hortense is clearly the same ethnicity. It's not saying that criminals look like this and heroes look like that.

The book has an overall positive message about self (or shadow) acceptance. I appreciated that when Hortense is shouting at her shadow, she doesn't resort to ableist slurs or similar. It's a cute book, and will appeal to children who like fairytales with a touch of darkness.

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This was a beautifully illustrated book with a unique storyline. It was charming and unexpected. I loved it.

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This book is so beautiful! The writing is dreamy and the illustrations are dazzling.

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This children's book is very sweet and beautifully illustrated. Parents will enjoy reading this as much as the kids.

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This is a beautifully illustrated short childrens book. Hortense hates her shadow- but comes to realise that she needs it. I can imagine the target audience really enjoying reading this aloud and sharing it with their parents. It provides an alternative for the sweet childrens stories that won't be everyone's cup of tea!

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Hortense and the shadow by Natalie o'hara and lauren o'hara.
Through the dark and wolfish woods, through the white and silent snow, lived a small girl called Hortense. Though kind and brave, she was sad as an owl because of one thing . . . Hortense hated her shadow." A beautifully illustrated dark fairy tale that will remind you of the fables you read as a child. A treasure not to be missed.
Hortense hated her shadow. Everywhere she went, it went. Everything she did, it did. And every time night fell it grew, tall and dark and crooked. 
A lovely short read. Loved the pictures to. 5*. Netgalley and peguins random house uk children's.

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I loved this children's picture book. I think sometimes, no matter how old you are, a simple tale, with beautiful illustrations, can just lift the soul.

I loved the message the book gave , about things that seem bad are sometimes good, and not prejudging and being open to change.

The book was just a little bit scary for younger readers, but not enough to give them nightmares! My son would have loved it when he was little.

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This is a charming debut by the O'Hara sisters, written like a fable for children. The story follows fiery little Hortense, who hates her shadow. The delicate drawings that accompany this book are visually stunning at any age with finely detailed panels on every page. I really love the Eastern European style, which shines through even before noting that the entire book is inspired by the Polish folktales told to the author and her sister in their own childhood. On the surface, Hortense seems a simple tale but actually addresses quite a bit that children can respond to such as independence, self doubt and fear, courage, trust, and confidence. Like all of the best stories, it's easy to find a little of ourselves in little Hortense.

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A heartwarming short story about a little girl that hates her shadow. Very pretty illustrations that lift your mood up and I really enjoyed reading this. Stunning visually and a fairy story about the light and dark. Highly recommended and can help explsining the need to overcome fears.

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A wonderful tale about self love and acceptance. Hortense hates her shadow, but soons learns how useful her shadow can be. This was a joy to read, my four year old loved it and clearly understood the message being portrayed. It’s beautifully illustrated and would make a lovely gift.

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A beautifully illustrated book. Hortense is afraid of her shadow, she hates that it follows her around and changes into creepy looking shapes. She tries everything she can to escape it and eventually succeeds, but she will realise that it is a part of her that she should embrace instead of fear.

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A fairy tale drenched in folklore and doused in tradition's charm, Hortense and the Shadow is a story book for younger children which has an edgy, sinister appeal that – like all truly great children's books – will open the door to questions and conversations long after the tale is told. The darker aspects are short and fairly subtle – not enough to really frighten, but enough to keep children fascinated, and enough to make them think a bit harder about what is troubling Hortense.

The tale and the illustrations echo old Slavic fairy tales. On their website, the authors – two sisters, Lauren and Natalia O'Hara, describe it as, "a dark fairy tale, inspired by the stories our Polish grandma told on snowy nights."

The appeal of children's books – the old fairy tales; the ones we remember even more darkly as adults: the tales that, half-remembered at bedtime, make us shiver and snuggle a little further under the warm blankets and turn the night light on to stop the dark encroaching – is the layers of story and reality, blended with just the right amounts of foreboding, and then joyous relief when the monsters are vanquished.

And this tale has many layers, and will bear many retellings.

Hortense is a little girl who is angry and afraid of her own shadow, which at first is illustrated as something of a creature feature, always at the edges of Hortense's life, looming long and frightening. She manages to overcome the shadow by sheer cunning wit and quick thinking, trapping it outside the window and then watching it flee until she is free of its thrall.

But then bad men arrive – bandits who laugh at her fear, and would do harm to Hortense, and the shadow comes to the rescue, and she realises that the shadow is the one who gives her the darker side that saves her.

A neat little capstone to the story is the 'reveal' that everything that made Hortense afraid of the shadow are the qualities that she herself also possesses sometimes – and that that is all right, because now Hortense has made friends with her shadow half.

Hortense and the Shadow is a gorgeously illustrated, thought-inspiring book for winter evenings, and is one of those young children's books that the grown-up reading the story will get just as much out of as the children listening.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes.

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This is exactly the type of book I love to read to my children. The pictures are beautiful and the story conveys a message whilst also being an interesting read. I love the haunting quality to the story and that the darker side of life is not kept from the reader. I hope that there will be more from these two!

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I really liked this book and it has some beautiful illustrations. In the story the little girl hates her shadow but after a scary event she realises that she really does she need it. A nice book to read with and too younger readers. 4 stars

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A really beautiful folk tale. The illustrations are visually stunning and the story is really sweet. Would definitely buy for younger relatives.

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I love picture books, this one is no different. The illustrations are incredible and the story itself is whimsical and teaches a story. Nothing is ever as it is, but there's always a reason why something is there or happens.

Lauren en Natalia O'Hara created a beautiful little fairy tale that I will definitely keep in the back of my mind!

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I really loved this picture book.

I loved the illustrations. They were nice and colourful and perfectly fitted the winter setting with different shades of blue and black. They carried the story brilliantly.

Hortense and the Shadow contained just the right amount of text, minimal.

I liked the story, not to childish but not so challenging that it couldn’t be enjoyed by very young children. The balance was perfect.

Hortense and the Shadow is the perfect picture book to read during the winter, cuddled up with your children.

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A wonderful picture book with absolutely stunning illustrations and a clever story that teaches kids how they can turn some of the absurd fears they may have into their assets. The Russian-inspired theme was brilliant and I would definitely recommenda this book as a most fitting Christmas gift for the little (or even big!) ones.

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Sometimes you’ll get little gems. Little surprises which makes you feel warm inside.

Hortense and the Shadow is one of those gems! Not something I’d pick up easily simply because it is a picture book for children. But Hortense and the Shadow is more, it’s a fairy tale about things you do not like which turn out to be good. And, let’s be honest, who doesn’t like fairy tales?

The watercolor drawings are lovely, there’s things to discover in each drawing and the style is persistence.

Bravo to the authors and the publisher for bringing this to the world!

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I seldom read children's literature these days, but I made an exception for this exquisitely illustrated book about a young girl who hates her shadow.

Sisters Lauren and Natalia O'Hara, from the north of England, have created a magical allegory with an old world feel. As youngsters they were excited by fairy tales and animal fables, and loved listening to their Polish grandmother tell stories on cold winter nights - and there is a palpable Eastern European look and wisdom to the spare narrative and snowy landscapes.

"Through the dark and wolfish woods, through the white and silent snow, lived a small girl called Hortense. Though kind and brave, she was sad as an owl because of one thing . . . Hortense hated her shadow."

A delightful Christmas gift for a young person with a lively imagination.

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Beautifully illustrated, this book was a delight to read. This book tells the tale of Hortense and her fear of her own shadow. Although this book would be best suited to younger children, it's stunning pictures and flowing words make it appealing to readers both young and old. Perfect bedtime story.

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I don’t often review picture books. I’m not the target audience. It is the illustrations by Lauren O’Hara that make the exception. My favourite parts, the watercolour shadows capture a child’s personality and the faces of the Bandits are menacing. The illustrations make this a picture book I would pick up and buy for someone’s child.

Lauren’s sister, Natalia, pairs the illustrations with the simple, but hidden-depth story. It’s a dark fantasy reminds me of an Eastern European fairytale. Presenting adults with an opportunity to discuss fears, strangers, and self-esteem. My one point? I’d like the story to be longer. The Bandits, for instance, came from nowhere, although they make wonderful characters.

The illustrations would attract me to buy this book. The story would make me come back to it again.

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I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley and Penguin Random House UK Children’s, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
This is a wonderful book and deserves to be found in every growing child's stocking this Christmas. My copy is an e-book but the pictures and the layout deserve a bound book format saving the eBook for other times after it has been read and enjoyed on the printed page. Often new fairy tales are but weak imitations of the great Grimm and Anderson tradition, but this is truly a new, bright, lively story which will delight and send some shivers down every reader's back.
Natalia's writing is crisp and lovingly phrased, Lauren's pictures are just what a fairy tales pictures should be disarmingly simple but enhancing the text and intermingling the phrases within the drawings is nothing short of genius. This has really set the scene for the festive season in true eastern European style. I look forward to more stories from these two clever collaborators.

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This is such a cute and imaginative read that children and adults alike will love. Hortense is a young girl who hates her shadow and then comes to realise that she shouldn't be so hateful, as she needs her shadow, it will forever be a part of her.

With beautiful illustrations, and compelling prose this is a book adults should definitely pick up for their children.

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This is the most beautiful story about a young girl and her shadow. The story has a beautiful lyrical quality, with some excellent imagery, that is perfectly complimented by the lovely illustrations, Hortense hates her shadow and only sees the worst in it, until one day something helps her to see the world in a different way. It’s a great book for thinking about perception vs. reality and a lovely story to get children to debate their own ideas. A great addition to any classroom!

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Gorgeously illustrated in beautiful muted colours, this story is a delight from start to finish

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This is a beautiful book with a beautiful story. It has an old story feel to it, when you read the bio of the authors it is obvious that old stories have been a big part of their lives. I was drawn to the artwork originally, the whimsical, delicate pastel illustrations are superb. They manage to capture the atmosphere of the setting and the story. The story itself is based on Hortense and her dislike of her shadow, it follows her everywhere, at night turning into a dark, creepy shadow that was scary. She manages to cut the shadow off, but can feel it’s presence, but one night it comes to her rescue. Hortense realises her shadow is something that is an extension of herself, can make her appear taller, longer and reach further.

This is a book I would love to have read as a child, and would love to have read to my now grown up children. It is a story with a message, is beautifully written and I loved the illustrations.

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I really liked this book. It is beautifully illustrated. This book may be small but its a wonderful story of little girl called Hortense, everywhere she went her shadow followed. She hates her shadow but after a scary event she realises that she really does she need it.

This book is going to be an excellent talking point in my classroom with my young pupils. Plus, maybe some role play which will help my class to engage in issues that may help with their fears etc and help them talk about them with others in their class as a group discussions.
Well Done to Natalia O'Hara and Lauren O'Hara for a lovely book and Penguin Random House UK Children’s Puffin Children's Fiction for letting me review it and give an honest review.

5 * review.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2183834002
Plus on Amazon Uk.

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Well, this was totally adorable!

Me and my 8yr old niece enjoy reading stories to each other, so I am always on the lookout for a good children’s book. This was a good children’s book. This is super cute. A lovely story exploring the need to love oneself and all that comes with that. The setting is wonderful, a medieval snowy environment. This is a short, easy, but sweet and highly enjoyable folk tale. The artwork throughout is simply stunning. So much so, I ordered a couple of prints to display in my office.

Maddie’s thoughts (8yr old niece):
“It was beautiful. It is so peaceful and lovely. 5 stars.”

We enjoyed this so much we decided to buy a hardcover version to add to the children’s book collection.

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In this story, we follow the eponymous Hortense and her trials and tribulations with her shadow. Though she is scared of her shadow and its continued proximity to her, by the book's end, the character has self-belief, power and an adventurous spirit.

The illustrations are beautiful, suiting the fairytale-like qualities of the prose; making it a very appealing and readable book.

A fantastic book with great messages and themes throughout, for the education and enjoyment of little ones and adults alike.

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Hortense and the Shadow was enthralling and exceptional!! The story just swept me away and I thoroughly enjoyed it, such a modern fairytale with a strong female lead. The book was beautifully and captivatingly illustrated.

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Loved this short fairytale: it has a nice, young but determined character, it's original, it flows nicely and is sure to delight all who read or hear it. I'll be reading it to my nephew this Christmas!

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It's always nice when I happen across a very quick read, especially as illustrated picture books and graphic novels are really catching my attention this year. I'm mostly reading them for the art of course, which is beautiful, but this was described as having a fairy tale vibe and I was not disappointed. What I loved was at the beginning, while Hortense is fussing about (and trying to get away from) her shadow, there are real threats hidden in almost every picture. What a clever, sinister addition to the drawings! I went back repeatedly to make sure I had found them all! I liked the story too, and the message behind it: don't waste time being suspicious or afraid of things that can't hurt you. That being said, I really thought this story was going to have a darker ending than it did. The threat really wasn't that big a deal and the ending a little anti-climactic. A great story for children though!

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Lovely story about self acceptance - a little girl who hates her shadow learns that it is part of her and it can sometimes be a big asset. Simply, sweet and beautifully illustrated. What a gem of a book this is. So well presented and stunning - totally irresistible, any child would be delighted to own a book like this, definitely 5 stars, no doubt about it

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A really beautiful book that deserves reading and re-reading. The illustrations are enchanting revealing the many ways Hortense tries to shake off her scary shadow. It really is charming and I'd definitely buy it for a little one... and sneak my own re-reads in of course.

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A lovely picture book.
Got to love some magical realism and some colourful bandits.
I feel this could be a favourite for a child.

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This is a charming children's book with some delightful illustrations with an underlying message on how fears can easily be overcome. The layout of the book with the words spread across the pages and mixed in with the illustrations just add to the adventure for the reader as the story unfolds. I can also imagine many parents engrossed in the experience of reading this to their child who would be following both their words and the pictures on the turn of each page.

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What a delightful book for children and I think they will love the story which really comes to life with the beautiful illustrations. I would definitely buy this for any children in my life!

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As I have the grandkids every weekend, I tend to read them books before bed time. All the better if they are picture books. My granddaughter is almost 4 and my grandson is almost 6. They both chose the book as they were drawn to the cover. Both of them listened as the lead character Hortense grew tired of being followed by her shadow. It’s only when she devised a cunning plan to rid herself of her shadow that she realises what she has done. A delightfully dark story brought to life by the beautiful illustrations. Needless to say, this will be bedtime reading for a great many nights to come.

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Hortense is a kind and brave girl, but she is sad as her shadow follows her everywhere she goes. She hates her shadow and thinks her shadow hates her too. But then one cold, dark night, bandits surprise her in the woods. Hortense discovers that her shadow is the very thing she needs most.

What a beautifully illustrated book this is. A beautifully written fairytale. A tale that children will love to read or listen to being read and adults will enjoy being read to their children. A story where a girl learns to come to terms with her appearance.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Penguin Random House UK Children's and the authors Natalia O'Hara & Lauren O'Hara.

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I read this book and was quite enchanted by its old world charm and period feeling, it reminded me of the old books of fairy tales that I loved as a child. Naturally any story of a child and their shadow will evoke Peter Pan but this story swept any comparison away. The drawings were loose enough to allow my imagination to fill in the gaps and I consider that to be a good thing.
I can imagine that this book could be a great jumping off point for shadow play, inspiring children to write their own stories and some elementary physics.
Highly recommended and certainly a book I will purchase for my grand daughters.

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Natalia and Lauren O'Hara are two sisters who love fairy tales and that sent out to write their own. Hortense is their first picture book and if it is a taste of what's to come then we are in for a treat.
Hortense's story is everything a fairy tale should be; here we have a little girl who lives in the woods and gets along with every animal and plant. She is not afraid of wolves or even of the darkness of the night, what Hortense fears the most is her shadow.
No matter what she does or where she tries to hide Hortense's shadow follows her everywhere and maybe that's not necessarily a bad thing as our heroine is set to find out.
This is not so much a story about facing your fears as it is a story of acceptance. Hortense hates her shadow because "Everywhere she went, it went. Everything she did, it did. And every time night fell it grew, tall and dark and crooked.". The Shadow is part of Hortense, even if she doesn't want to admit it and it's important that our heroine understands that and learns to live with her. And the story gets the point across in a delicate and beautiful manner.
I have to admit that I did congratulate the publisher on their choice for the illustration. Lately when checking the children section I see more and more illustration that seem like a variation of Quentin Blake's and Tony Ross's (that already look a lot like Quentin Blake's in my opinion!) which only blends the books into one big collection. And makes Christmas shopping a nightmare for adults who don't know exactly what their children want to read.
Hortense's illustrations are different. They are whimsical, they certainly do not look like Quentin Blake (please be assure I have nothing against his illustrations!), which automatically sets this book apart. These are a different type of drawing and the colour pallet used is soft and snowy, just like the woods where our heroine lives.
For me it's important to fall in love with the pictures in a picture book as they set the mood for the story. And these illustrations achieve just that!
Beautifully and whimsicaly illustrated this is a cute and short fairy tale with a very important message.

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This was a joy of a book to read. A story about a little girl who hates her shadow, an original story with some of the most beautiful illustrations I have ever seen. I can't wait to pick this up in print to give to my goddaughter. An absolutely wonderful story. I can't wait to see more from Natalie & Lauren O'Hara.

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Firstly the illustrations are amazing, they're extremely intricate, delicately coloured full page pictures with plenty of detail that would be great for keeping a child's attention. The story has a point, Hortense doesn't like her shadow and goes to great lengths to try and get rid of it but during the book learns she's just misunderstood her shadow so its slightly fable-esque in that respect without being overly long or dragged out. The prose is mainly short sentences that flow really nicely so would be great for children that are just starting to join in with reading along but I didn't feel like the language had been 'dumbed down' at all which I like as it gives them a couple of challenges to try and sound out along the way. I don't have children but I gave this 5 stars based on how much I now want to read this to my friend's children.

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Requested this by mistake but my niece was visiting and read it with her we both enjoyed it very much.

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Lovely little picture book - great for children who are afraid of the dark, or feel there is a part of themselves they don't like or are unwilling to accept. A bit of poetic prose in the story. Very sweet artwork, perfect for the winter celebrations - I loved the images of snow and trees, adventurous shadow-shapes of knights and bears. Would recommend for anyone looking for a child's Christmas present this year.

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A sweet story nicely illustrated which will appeal to younger children.

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I adored this book. The story was stunning and it is a book I would love to gift to friends and family

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Delightfully different. My nephews loved it...and they usually hate stories about girls! Well crafted & executed.

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Delightful children's story about Hortense who hated her shadow. Reminiscent of childhood tales from years ago. The illustrations are wonderful.
Would recommend for ages 4 upwards.

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A clever, inspiring, wonderfully written and illustrated children's book, for adults to also enjoy. I'll definitely be buying this beautiful book for my future children.

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A wonderful story which reminded me of the fairy tales I read, or was read to, as a child - even though it had a slightly scary side it was no more and perhaps not quite as dark as for example Hansel and Gretal. The story was beautifully illustrated throughout. I hope the author and illustrator, who are sisters, produce more books of this quality. Highly recommended.

Review will also appear on https://lovebooksreadbooks.wordpress.com/

With thanks to the publishers who sent me an e-copy of the book via NetGalley in return for an honest opinion.

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A lovely book about shadows and children. A magical story about a little girl who doesn't like her shadow....that is until it disappears and danger comes calling.

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A beautiful and intricate tale of Hortense who dislikes her shadow. Slightly darker than the tales I usually read to my children. It was an accessible way to share the underlying message about embracing who you are and led to interesting discussions! This book was well received by both male and female recipients - and they were particularly enamoured with the illustrations.

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A haunting, original fairy tale from two dazzling debut picture book talents, in the spirit of Neil Gaiman and Carson Ellis.

Hortense is a kind and brave girl, but she is sad--even angry--that her shadow follows her everywhere she goes. She hates her shadow, and thinks her shadow must hate her too. But one cold, dark night, when bandits surprise her in the woods, Hortense discovers that her shadow is the very thing she needs most.

This stunningly illustrated story stirs the soul with its compelling, subtle exploration of self-esteem, self-identity, and finding inner strength.

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A beautifully illustrated picture book with deceptively profound and dark-ish themes. This a stunningly unique book, I haven't read anything quite like this ever before and a great and super important story for young or old readers alike. It was the perfect time to enjoy this - in the Christmas season - the illustrations are snowy and wintery to match this!

The message of this book is the most important aspect of it - accepting yourself and the things you can't change and learn to live with them or even love them. It definitely feels like those fairy tales that have a moral theme or crucial message running throughout them and I think this would be great for giving confidence to youngsters especially. There are so many things out there making youngsters question their appearance, their mental health etc that these books have become part of the fight against this culture and I do hope that continues as the pressure on children and teenagers in not likely to lessen any time soon unfortunately.

I voluntarily accepted an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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A lovely book with beautiful illustrations. The children I read this with were very engaged through out it so will definitely consider buying it for the classroom. Thank you for the ARC!

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A beautifully illustrated picture storybook about a young girl who dislikes her shadow and what happens when it runs away from her.
The setting for this story is a fairytale, and there are dark elements, but good triumphs and Hortense learns valuable lessons of self-discovery, A good story for the age group.
I received a copy of this story from Penguin Random House UK Children’s Puffin via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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unfortunately unable to download so can't leave a valid review.

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This was a beautifully illustrated picture book that follows a hauntingly original fairy tale. The dark elements throughout really helped to bring out the valuable lessons of self discovery that every good fairytale should have.

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A beautiful book with a story as magical as the illustrations.

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This is a truly beautiful book inside and out, the artwork is stunning from front cover to back and the writing was just as wonderful .
Near to the end it becomes quite dark but most fairy tales aren't as innocent as they seem !
Parents ... you need to buy this and read it with your children ! It contains important life lessons and teaches them to love themselves .

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What a lovely original fairy story. Did not realise it was a childrens book but loved it. Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher

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Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this. It's beautifully illustrated, and the style of the images makes me wonder whether the finished physical book will be more tactile. It's a book just screaming out to be read and re-read.
The story is straightforward, and simple enough to appeal to children, yet there is a darkness that makes it feel more than just a children's fable. Hortense starts the book cross and unhappy with herself, desperate to lose her shadow. Over the course of the story she comes to accept herself for who she is. It's hard to find fault with.

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So pleased I had the opportunity to discover this book and share it with my grandson (nearly 6 1/2 so he tells me, in case I think he's "only" 6). It is a delightful book and he thinks so too. He loved the quirky illustrations. In fact, he's still talking about it., even though I've gone home. I'm too far away to read it to him now and that's now his parents' job. lols

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I'll read anything. Up to and including kids' picture books.

"Hortense hated her shadow. Everywhere she went, it went. Everything she did, it did. And every time night fell it grew, tall and dark and crooked.

"So Hortense decided: the shadow must go! Only later, alone in the wolfish woods, she learned that a girl without a shadow is far smaller... a fairy tale about light and shadows."

The artwork drew me to the book and it is beautiful. Seriously. Just look at that front cover. It's like that all the way through.

But on top of that, there's a sweet story about self-esteem and acceptance. It has its dark moments and gets scary at some points, but overall it's a lovely magical tale and I recommend it.

"Through the dark and wolfish woods, through the white and silent snow, lived a small girl called Hortense. Though kind and brave, she was sad as an owl because of one thing... Hortense hated her shadow.""

Note: I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Verdict: nice story, beautiful artwork
Read if you like: picture books with a darker tone
Hortense and the Shadow by Natalie and Lauren O'Hara

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The beautiful cover attracted me to this. The artwork is stunning throughout, and gives a great sense of atmosphere. The whole book feels creepy yet beautiful.

As well as being a pleasure to read, this feels like it gives a great message to children. While Hortense hates her shadow, she soon misses it when it’s gone, and with it she can be strong and brave.

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This is a beautiful picture book about a girl who hates her shadow. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, and although the story is a simple one, it has a powerful message about making assumptions about other people. I would love to get this book for little ones in my life!

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Hortense and the Shadow by Natalia and Lauren O'Hara - Review for Primary Teachers
Hortense and the Shadow is a debut picture book from sisters Natalia and Lauren O'Hara. It is a haunting, folk-tale like story. The protagonist, Hortense, is 'kind and brave' but she is sad. She hates her shadow. It follows her everywhere she goes, does everything she does and it grows 'tall and dark/and crooked' when night falls. She believes her shadow hates her too. However, one cold night, when bandits surprise her in the woods, it's her shadow that saves her. Hortense then realises that rather than being a nuisance, her shadow is vital part of her and so, in the style of all good fairy tales, all ends happily ever after.

The story's themes ( self-esteem, self-identity and finding inner strength) are developed subtly.
Although the story is not written in rhyming text, it certainly has a poetic feel about it. The book is marketed for children aged 5-7 years. However, the language and style of the story has a lot a potential for use in the KS 2 classroom. The descriptions of the setting have a fairy tale quality about them 'Through the dark/and wolfish woods,/through the white and silent snow.' These could be explored not only in terms of the noun phrases and alliteration but also the rhythm which gives them that timeless quality. Investigations which collect examples from other fairy tales (old and modern) would help develop and awareness of these features which children could then be encouraged to use in their own fairy tale composition.

The story was inspired by stories told to the sisters by their Polish Grandmother and this is evident in the watercolour illustrations, which are reminiscent of Polish fairy tales. The buildings have the feel of Eastern Europe with onion domes, turrets and ornate furniture. There is also a slight Gothic feel with all the garden tracery and architectural embellishment.

Hortense feels as though 'someone is watching her' and careful examination of the illustrations show that she indeed being watched, as the bandits are hidden within the wintry blue and grey illustrations. Sometimes they are easier to spot as one of them wears a red hat. Younger children will enjoy trying to spot the hidden bandit on the page.

Some of the vocabulary used throughout the book would prove challenging for most children within the targeted age range. The placing of the words on the page using 'word painting' might also prove challenging for some children. As Hortense's shadow grows, so does the size of the text. As Hortense falls down the steps the text also 'falls' down the steps. A great deal of the text is also positioned on top of the illustrations and as a result changes colour. None of these things should put you off reading this exquisite book. They make it an ideal book for sharing with children either as a class read or as a group read. They provide an abundance of opportunities to talk about the book and invite multiple readings.

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