The Silver Shadow

Ages 3 to 7, Grades P to 2

A spellbinding story about a little girl, the sea, and a seemingly fierce creature in need of her help.

My toes hunt for grooves in the rough rock. And then . . . I see her.

While searching for wonders in the tide pools, a little girl discovers a silver shark, stranded in the shallows—sleek and quick, but still just a baby. The sun is high and the tide is out. How will the shark find its way home? Drawing on family memories of life in Barbados, award-winning author Mariesa Dulak and best-selling artist Alea Marley have woven together a spellbindingly beautiful story about our connections to the ocean and what we owe other living creatures.

About the Author

Mariesa Dulak is an author and part-time school librarian based in London. She previously worked for more than twenty years in marketing for publishers including Hachette and Penguin. She won the FAB Prize for her debut picture-book text, There's a Tiger on the Train, which was illustrated by award-winning artist Rebecca Cobb. Being of dual heritage (British and Barbadian), she is passionate about diversity in children’s books and thinks it’s crucial that children see themselves represented in stories.

Alea Marley was born in the UK with Barbadian roots. Her other books include award-winning poet Dean Atta’s picture-book debut, Confetti; Is This Love?, a picture book adapted from the Bob Marley song by his daughter Cedella Marley; and Phoebe Dupree Is Coming to Tea! by Linda Ashman. She is also the illustrator of Christine Platt’s Frankie and Friends series.