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My Shadow
An illustrated version of the poem in which a child describes her relationship with her shadow.
Library Binding
First published January 1, 1885
23 people are currently reading
247 people want to read
About the author
Robert Louis Stevenson
6,870 books6,952 followersRobert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, and travel writer, and a leading representative of English literature. He was greatly admired by many authors, including Jorge Luis Borges, Ernest Hemingway, Rudyard Kipling and Vladimir Nabokov.
Most modernist writers dismissed him, however, because he was popular and did not write within their narrow definition of literature. It is only recently that critics have begun to look beyond Stevenson's popularity and allow him a place in the Western canon.
Most modernist writers dismissed him, however, because he was popular and did not write within their narrow definition of literature. It is only recently that critics have begun to look beyond Stevenson's popularity and allow him a place in the Western canon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
July 25, 2011
This was a fun poem and the mouse illustrations certainly lend to that, but I wasn't particularly moved by the book as a whole. It's a nice book, and it could be a lot of fun to share it with the right audience of children, but it wasn't particularly memorable.
March 27, 2020
Great Book For Children!
I read this to my four year old grandson. We enjoyed the story. Now we are ready to experiment with our shadows!
I read this to my four year old grandson. We enjoyed the story. Now we are ready to experiment with our shadows!
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November 23, 2023adorable!!
October 10, 2020
This story is a poem about a child's shadow! I thought this was a cute book to read to younger children. The words were a good font for children to see if a teacher was reading to their students. The author used humor, and captured my interest by his choice of words for the story. I thought the illustrations were fun and engaging. I felt like getting up and looking at my shadow. It is a interactive book and excellent for children.
March 8, 2016
This delightful book has taken a classic poem and updated it for the 21st century child to enjoy. Full of fun, action and family-ties this book will be perfect for the young and old alike.
Shadow play is always a hit because you carry around your very own version of you in shadow form... now how cool is that? This adorable little boy and his entourage will have your little ones giggling and laughing right out loud. Shadows have been our playmates since the beginning of time and this book captures the playfulness and companionship that a shadow provides to it's source... you!
The illustrations are whimsical, dreamlike and full of humour and wit. The poem easily flows from page to page and is greatly enriched by the illustrations, which engages the reader, resulting in loads of smiles.
This is a perfect bedtime story to cuddle up and read together. After the book is complete you can make your own shadow creations dance on the wall from your bedroom light. Shadow awareness can be downright entertaining and shadow discovery can lead to lots of questions regarding those personal phantoms of darkness. Playtime with your very own individualized shadow, whether it is outdoors or indoors, is highly recommended and so is this book. Enjoy.
Shadow play is always a hit because you carry around your very own version of you in shadow form... now how cool is that? This adorable little boy and his entourage will have your little ones giggling and laughing right out loud. Shadows have been our playmates since the beginning of time and this book captures the playfulness and companionship that a shadow provides to it's source... you!
The illustrations are whimsical, dreamlike and full of humour and wit. The poem easily flows from page to page and is greatly enriched by the illustrations, which engages the reader, resulting in loads of smiles.
This is a perfect bedtime story to cuddle up and read together. After the book is complete you can make your own shadow creations dance on the wall from your bedroom light. Shadow awareness can be downright entertaining and shadow discovery can lead to lots of questions regarding those personal phantoms of darkness. Playtime with your very own individualized shadow, whether it is outdoors or indoors, is highly recommended and so is this book. Enjoy.
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November 30, 2019Summary:
A little boy discovers his shadow and goes on many adventures in his everyday routines with his shadow following close behind him! Why does his shadow always act the way it does? It follows him in and out of the door. It does everything he does and carries everything he carries! It even looks exactly like him from head to toe! It jumps in his bed with him, sometimes even a bit before him, and grows tall and short throughout each passing day, much faster than one may think! But sometimes the shadow is not as nice, giving away his hiding place when he plays hide and seek with his friends. Sometimes it is a scaredy cat always clinging to him or walking directly behind him. And sometimes the shadow is lazy, staying behind in bed as the boy looks back in the window, wondering why his shadow did not follow him this time. Maybe it’s just a sleepyhead.
Evaluation:
With its kid-friendly, cartoon like illustrations and rhyming, poetic sentences and phrases, this realistic fiction picture book by author Robert Louis Stevenson with pictures by illustrator Sara Sanchez is a must have for any lower grades (K-2) elementary teacher, especially in the science classroom! This book introduces children to the scientific concepts behind one’s shadow while still leaving room for the imagination and incorporating a bit of humor to capture the interest of young readers. The character of the young boy is relatable to young elementary students and represents the level of understanding that students this age may have before learning about shadows in greater detail. This book is the perfect introduction to a mini unit on light and shadows as it gets the imagination working and running and peaks students’ interest in this scientific concept that is a familiar everyday experience for many if not all children. What are shadows really made of and why do they change? This book gets children asking these questions and many more!
Teaching Idea:
S1P1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to investigate light and sound.
c. Plan and carry out an investigation of shadows by placing objects at various points from a source of light.
This book could be the introduction to a lesson on light and shadows and covers the above first grade science standard. The teacher would incorporate this read aloud into a 5E science lesson which includes allowing students to first be engaged by a scientific concept without yet teaching the full content. This is followed by allowing students to explore a concept followed by then explaining the concepts and vocabulary behind their experiences and observations. Lastly, students are given an activity to perform that they can now integrate and combine with the concepts they have just learned and discussed as a class in a lab format. Then students complete an activity that the teacher then uses to evaluate what students have learned throughout the lesson.
After reading this book aloud to engage the students with the science concept of light and shadows, the teacher would allow students to explore using materials such as shadow puppets, flashlights, etc. to see how they can create and manipulate the size and shape of shadows. The teacher would use guiding questions such as , “Can you make the shadows bigger? Can you make them smaller?” and “How can you make more than one shadow using only one puppet?” The teacher would then gather students back together to discuss what they saw, did, and observed. The teacher would guide students to share their experiences and then help them connect those experiences to the lesson’s vocabulary and key concepts, to explain the science behind what they experienced. After this, students would use the new information that they have to complete a lab activity in small groups and practice collecting, recording, and interpreting data as well as working with others, communicating ideas, etc. as the teacher provides support and assistance and observes how students carry out their investigation (experiment). Lastly, the teacher would provide students with a structured activity to complete to see and help students reflect on what they have learned throughout the lesson through instruction as well as their own experiences. This would be a shadow booklet that would serve as a way to see if students understand the relationship between light and shadows and allows them to also make their own illustrations of shadows they created during this lesson’s activities.
A little boy discovers his shadow and goes on many adventures in his everyday routines with his shadow following close behind him! Why does his shadow always act the way it does? It follows him in and out of the door. It does everything he does and carries everything he carries! It even looks exactly like him from head to toe! It jumps in his bed with him, sometimes even a bit before him, and grows tall and short throughout each passing day, much faster than one may think! But sometimes the shadow is not as nice, giving away his hiding place when he plays hide and seek with his friends. Sometimes it is a scaredy cat always clinging to him or walking directly behind him. And sometimes the shadow is lazy, staying behind in bed as the boy looks back in the window, wondering why his shadow did not follow him this time. Maybe it’s just a sleepyhead.
Evaluation:
With its kid-friendly, cartoon like illustrations and rhyming, poetic sentences and phrases, this realistic fiction picture book by author Robert Louis Stevenson with pictures by illustrator Sara Sanchez is a must have for any lower grades (K-2) elementary teacher, especially in the science classroom! This book introduces children to the scientific concepts behind one’s shadow while still leaving room for the imagination and incorporating a bit of humor to capture the interest of young readers. The character of the young boy is relatable to young elementary students and represents the level of understanding that students this age may have before learning about shadows in greater detail. This book is the perfect introduction to a mini unit on light and shadows as it gets the imagination working and running and peaks students’ interest in this scientific concept that is a familiar everyday experience for many if not all children. What are shadows really made of and why do they change? This book gets children asking these questions and many more!
Teaching Idea:
S1P1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to investigate light and sound.
c. Plan and carry out an investigation of shadows by placing objects at various points from a source of light.
This book could be the introduction to a lesson on light and shadows and covers the above first grade science standard. The teacher would incorporate this read aloud into a 5E science lesson which includes allowing students to first be engaged by a scientific concept without yet teaching the full content. This is followed by allowing students to explore a concept followed by then explaining the concepts and vocabulary behind their experiences and observations. Lastly, students are given an activity to perform that they can now integrate and combine with the concepts they have just learned and discussed as a class in a lab format. Then students complete an activity that the teacher then uses to evaluate what students have learned throughout the lesson.
After reading this book aloud to engage the students with the science concept of light and shadows, the teacher would allow students to explore using materials such as shadow puppets, flashlights, etc. to see how they can create and manipulate the size and shape of shadows. The teacher would use guiding questions such as , “Can you make the shadows bigger? Can you make them smaller?” and “How can you make more than one shadow using only one puppet?” The teacher would then gather students back together to discuss what they saw, did, and observed. The teacher would guide students to share their experiences and then help them connect those experiences to the lesson’s vocabulary and key concepts, to explain the science behind what they experienced. After this, students would use the new information that they have to complete a lab activity in small groups and practice collecting, recording, and interpreting data as well as working with others, communicating ideas, etc. as the teacher provides support and assistance and observes how students carry out their investigation (experiment). Lastly, the teacher would provide students with a structured activity to complete to see and help students reflect on what they have learned throughout the lesson through instruction as well as their own experiences. This would be a shadow booklet that would serve as a way to see if students understand the relationship between light and shadows and allows them to also make their own illustrations of shadows they created during this lesson’s activities.
October 7, 2019
Summary: In this book, a little boy has a journey with his shadow. He does not know much about his shadow, but just that it is clingy and very lazy also. This is a poem book with wonderful illustrations that students can read to have a fun visual of what his shadow is really doing. This book also has really great ideas about the misconceptions that students may have about their shadow, and also uses poetry to get the different points across.
Evaluation: I really enjoyed this book and the content that it brought to the table. It is also a good way to introduce students to poetry and what that would look like in a book. It also is fun for students to read when they do not know much about their shadows and want to hear what another kid their age could be thinking. I would recommend this book for Kindergarten-1st grade because that is usually when students have misconceptions about things like this. But it is a good book for kids to read if they just wanted to free read something good with good illustrations.
Teaching Idea: During our science course this book was used for an engage in our lesson and I really liked the way that it fit with our lessons about shadows. The book is very fun for students to read and it is a good way for the teacher to talk about different misconceptions that students have about their shadows, before leading into their lab so they can see that with evidence.
Evaluation: I really enjoyed this book and the content that it brought to the table. It is also a good way to introduce students to poetry and what that would look like in a book. It also is fun for students to read when they do not know much about their shadows and want to hear what another kid their age could be thinking. I would recommend this book for Kindergarten-1st grade because that is usually when students have misconceptions about things like this. But it is a good book for kids to read if they just wanted to free read something good with good illustrations.
Teaching Idea: During our science course this book was used for an engage in our lesson and I really liked the way that it fit with our lessons about shadows. The book is very fun for students to read and it is a good way for the teacher to talk about different misconceptions that students have about their shadows, before leading into their lab so they can see that with evidence.
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October 22, 2019Summary:
My Shadow is about a little boy who observes his shadow and how it's just like him. His shadow does what he does, follows him, and looks like him. Throughout the book he makes observations such as, his shadow can grow or shrink fast and how it stays close to the boy.
Evaluation:
I enjoyed reading this story. Robert Stevenson does a great job of writing this sweet, simple story. I would recommend this story to students in K-1st grade. There isn't a big plot or anything very exciting happening in the story, but it would be a good book for beginning reads to experience. Older students wouldn't find this story very exciting or engaging due to the small amount of words and lack of plot.
Teaching Point:
My shadow could be used to introduce the students to rhymes. The teacher could start the lesson by reading the book one time through without stopping. Then the teacher could read the book again and have students listen for words that rhyme and write them down on a paper. The students could work together and talk about all the words that rhyme and the characteristics of a rhyming word.
My Shadow is about a little boy who observes his shadow and how it's just like him. His shadow does what he does, follows him, and looks like him. Throughout the book he makes observations such as, his shadow can grow or shrink fast and how it stays close to the boy.
Evaluation:
I enjoyed reading this story. Robert Stevenson does a great job of writing this sweet, simple story. I would recommend this story to students in K-1st grade. There isn't a big plot or anything very exciting happening in the story, but it would be a good book for beginning reads to experience. Older students wouldn't find this story very exciting or engaging due to the small amount of words and lack of plot.
Teaching Point:
My shadow could be used to introduce the students to rhymes. The teacher could start the lesson by reading the book one time through without stopping. Then the teacher could read the book again and have students listen for words that rhyme and write them down on a paper. The students could work together and talk about all the words that rhyme and the characteristics of a rhyming word.
November 23, 2017
This poem has not received any awards.
"My Shadow" is appropriate for 5 to 8 year olds.
This poem is about a child and their shadow. The child talks about how the shadow can be big and small, and how it stays so close to them. The poem seems to personify the shadow, and talks about the sunlight having an affect on the size and appearance of the shadow itself.
I like this poem, and I think that young students would enjoy it as well. It is a cute little story that everyone can relate to, as everyone has a shadow! Your students will find this little poem funny, and will love the included illustrations in the book.
This poem can be used in class to create a fun activity where the students draw their own shadow. They can give their shadow a story line and write a little bit about it. Also, the teacher can use this poem to talk about sunlight at different times of day, and how it affects shadows. You can ask the students to identify where in the poem it says that there is no sunlight, and to see what size the shadow is at that moment.
"My Shadow" is appropriate for 5 to 8 year olds.
This poem is about a child and their shadow. The child talks about how the shadow can be big and small, and how it stays so close to them. The poem seems to personify the shadow, and talks about the sunlight having an affect on the size and appearance of the shadow itself.
I like this poem, and I think that young students would enjoy it as well. It is a cute little story that everyone can relate to, as everyone has a shadow! Your students will find this little poem funny, and will love the included illustrations in the book.
This poem can be used in class to create a fun activity where the students draw their own shadow. They can give their shadow a story line and write a little bit about it. Also, the teacher can use this poem to talk about sunlight at different times of day, and how it affects shadows. You can ask the students to identify where in the poem it says that there is no sunlight, and to see what size the shadow is at that moment.
November 16, 2020
This poem could be used for grades k-2. This poem follows a child and his shadow. The child describes his shadow and what the shadow does. At the end the shadow is not up yet because the sun just rose.
I am not a fan of poetry but this was a nice and relaxing poem for children to read. A shadow is something that all children have and can relate to. They have a natural curiosity about what their shadow is and why they have one and this poem can help explain that.
This poem could be used in the classroom for the poetry unit. The students could go outside and examine their shadows. When they do this they could then create their own poem about what their shadows did. The students can also all measure their shadows and one student can collect all of the measurements. The measurements can then be put into a chart to see how many students had tall shadows and how many had small shadows.
I am not a fan of poetry but this was a nice and relaxing poem for children to read. A shadow is something that all children have and can relate to. They have a natural curiosity about what their shadow is and why they have one and this poem can help explain that.
This poem could be used in the classroom for the poetry unit. The students could go outside and examine their shadows. When they do this they could then create their own poem about what their shadows did. The students can also all measure their shadows and one student can collect all of the measurements. The measurements can then be put into a chart to see how many students had tall shadows and how many had small shadows.
November 23, 2017
My Shadow / written by Robert Louis Stevenson; illustrated by Ted Rand -- New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons, c1990. (30 pages)
SUMMARY: An illustrated version of Stevenson's poem that describes a child's relationship with his shadow.
REVIEW: Rand's beautiful illustrations accompany Stevenson's poem on shadows. The pictures show and array of children from different cultures all experiencing their shadows at different times of the day and different activities.
FURTHER FUN: 1) go outside and study shadows (which way do the go, how do they look, can you make them change); 2) discuss what makes a shadow; 3) take large paper and lay it on the ground and draw the child's shadow; 4) practice shadow plays on the wall (like the last illustration).
SUMMARY: An illustrated version of Stevenson's poem that describes a child's relationship with his shadow.
REVIEW: Rand's beautiful illustrations accompany Stevenson's poem on shadows. The pictures show and array of children from different cultures all experiencing their shadows at different times of the day and different activities.
FURTHER FUN: 1) go outside and study shadows (which way do the go, how do they look, can you make them change); 2) discuss what makes a shadow; 3) take large paper and lay it on the ground and draw the child's shadow; 4) practice shadow plays on the wall (like the last illustration).
May 6, 2019
Intended for children in Pre-K through grade 3, this contemporary fiction can teach young readers what it is like to have a shadow or teach them what it is if they are not familiar. The text is engaging as soon as you begin reading, as the main conflict is introduced to the readers. This book is based on the old "My Shadow" poem from 1885 that has now been developed into this book using helpful illustrations so that readers can know and be able to visualize the young boy's struggles. Since it is a poem, it seems to be a soothing melody that comes about as the story is rehearsed. The little boy discovers all of the wonderful things that his shadow can do while "following" him around. This story is humorous, as we all know what it is that is actually following him.
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October 7, 2019Summary: This is a poem about a boy who is realizing he has a shadow for the first time. His shadow always follows him around and is sometimes a different size. Why does his shadow get big and small?
Evaluation: I think this is a good short poem to use for a younger class. There are very few words on the page, and it is a really short story. However, it does incorporate the aspect of why we have shadows, and how they constantly change sizes.
Teaching: I would use this to introduce poetry in the classroom. I could even use this as a way to introduce the science concept of shadows. I think it would be very helpful to use this story as a poem.
Evaluation: I think this is a good short poem to use for a younger class. There are very few words on the page, and it is a really short story. However, it does incorporate the aspect of why we have shadows, and how they constantly change sizes.
Teaching: I would use this to introduce poetry in the classroom. I could even use this as a way to introduce the science concept of shadows. I think it would be very helpful to use this story as a poem.
March 29, 2023
This was a very quick and easy but fun little poem.
I found it entertaining enough and its one of those that is actually understandable and easy to read what i think is especially nice for children's poem, where you just have the poetry that tells a story in a different way that a novel would but its just as easy to understand.
I enjoyed that and i will be on the look out for an illustrated version to see what that might look like.
I found it entertaining enough and its one of those that is actually understandable and easy to read what i think is especially nice for children's poem, where you just have the poetry that tells a story in a different way that a novel would but its just as easy to understand.
I enjoyed that and i will be on the look out for an illustrated version to see what that might look like.
March 5, 2021
"My Shadow" is an amazing book about a little girl who recently discovered her shadow. I had to much fun reading this book and would love to read it to my future 1st grade class while learning about the concept of shadows in science. The book explains that when you step closer to the light your shadow gets larger and when you are farther away your shadow gets smaller.
November 6, 2017
A new picture book that illustrates Robert Louis Stevenson's poem My Shadow will provide a lot of fun and play for children of today's world. With lots of movement, and maybe ideas of what to try with shadows, young children will love this book, possibly the first time they've heard the poem!
February 26, 2018
This illustrated interpretation of Robert Louis Stevenson's famous poem is my favorite of the many I've seen over the years. Now, if I could just hit upon a tune that works well with the verse I would have even more fun with it.
January 31, 2018
A great introductory read on shadows in relation to day and night. It's length is perfect for young readers especially as on opening to a science related activity.
January 4, 2018
cute little book that sparked a great discussion about shadows. Also great accompaniment to a shadow unit study
January 5, 2018
First, this was such a great concept and story. However, the forced rhyme and a few pages of completely confusing text ruin the story for me.
April 16, 2018
This was a lovely poem with simple illustrations.
April 7, 2019
The pictures of this book detract from the lovely words. AND...some of the fantastic vocabulary is changed from the original! Nope.
April 11, 2020
Nice poem and corresponding illustrations.
March 4, 2021
Loved the illustrations found in this large picture book that brought Robert Louis Stevenson's classic poem to life.
April 1, 2022
4/5 Stars
Magical Read-a-thon book 1
Magical Read-a-thon book 1
February 10, 2024
Poem by Robert Louis Stevenson
Cute
Kids are so curious about their shadows- would be fun to use this story with shadow puppets
Cute
Kids are so curious about their shadows- would be fun to use this story with shadow puppets
April 9, 2024
This is a poetry for kids
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January 21, 2025Read for CWR 304b
March 23, 2017
My Shadow
Wonderful children's picture book explaining about shadows and how young children see their own shadow as friendly rather than a scary thing.
Wonderful children's picture book explaining about shadows and how young children see their own shadow as friendly rather than a scary thing.
November 7, 2022
A cute illustrated edition of a classic poem.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews