Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/226759471-shadow

Book Link

You know that hush that falls when someone tells you something sacred? That’s what reading Shadow feels like.

It’s not loud or flashy. It doesn’t shout for your attention. Instead, it kneels down beside you—yes, you—and gently says, “This matters. Let’s talk about it.”

On the surface, it’s a story about a pet dog named Shadow who has passed away. But if that’s all you see, read it again. Shadow isn’t just about death—it’s about the moment children meet grief for the very first time, face-to-face, with no script and no armour.

What struck me most was the honesty. Schmidt doesn’t tiptoe around sadness. She doesn’t try to cover it in glitter or distractions. She simply invites children to feel what they feel—fully, freely, and without shame.

And then—oh, then—she offers comfort. The kind of comfort that isn’t a quick fix but a gentle holding of hands. Talking, drawing, planting flowers… small acts with big meanings. They don’t erase the hurt, but they honour it. And that’s where healing begins.

Illustrated with tenderness and accompanied by thoughtful parental guidance at the back, Shadow is as much a resource as it is a story. But more than anything, it’s a companion. A quiet friend for the quietest moments.

This is the kind of book you don’t just shelve. You keep it within reach—because you’ll want to share it when words fail and hearts ache.

Shadow is soft-spoken, but it will stay with you long after the last page—like pawprints in your memory and petals from a flower planted in love.

About the Book Excellence Award

This book is a winner of the Book Excellence Award, a tribute to literary brilliance and a celebration of books that stand out for their artistry, depth, and storytelling prowess. It reflects the mission of Book Excellence: to showcase outstanding literature that transcends time and genre.