Mélanie Rutten

When I entered my name to win a copy of The Rabbit and the Shadow by Mélanie Rutten, I did so because even on my laptop screen, I could tell that the illustrations are exquisite.

The pen and watercolor illustrations are in gentle hues that fit the story’s outdoor setting. Most are small vignettes that expertly accompany the nearby text. Rabbit is the story’s main character, but his life becomes entwined with those of the Soldier, the Cat, the Book, a Shadow, and the Stag, Rabbit’s show more caregiver. When the Soldier forcibly takes Rabbit from his hiding hole, a small vignette manages to encapsulate the vastness of the unknown world, the fierceness of the Soldier and the apprehension of the Rabbit.

The familiar valley lies behind them, and a red sky ahead hints at a dangerous future as the Soldier points his sword toward the future with the Rabbit in his grasp,

“And he dragged the Rabbit off, shouting: ‘On our own! On our own!’ “

The Rabbit and the Shadow is a lengthy, thoughtful book that is best suited for older children. Although the Soldier has abducted the Rabbit, the Soldier bears him no ill will. The Soldier is merely angry, and the reader will find that the Soldier harbors a secret. The Cat suffers from a recurring dream that will not resolve; the Book searches for knowledge. The Stag searches for his Rabbit. The Shadow searches for nothing, and is ironically enlightening, as Rutten explores the weighty issues of anger, responsibility, separation, and growing up.

Artfully placed in the center of a beautiful yellow-hued palette, are the following words, surrounded by a dreamlike border illustrating the characters’ thoughts

“‘What do you think about
to feel less afraid?’
asked the Rabbit.
‘Nice things from the past,’
replied the Soldier,
‘like eating rice pudding cake
when I was little.’

‘You’re still little!’ said the Cat. ‘Me, I think
about nice things to come.’
‘Like when you’ll have a mustache?’
teased the Soldier.

The Cat thought about his dream.
They all though for a moment,
about their dreams. “

I don’t know if The Rabbit and the Shadow is typical or exemplary in French children’s literature. Here in the United States, it is strikingly attractive, thoughtful, and distinctive.

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This story is beautiful. I definitely got choked up. It is relatable to a child but profound enough for an adult. It speaks of the processes of letting go, facing fears, learning empathy ect. What I like most about it for children is that it guides them into thinking about not only how they themselves are experiencing an event, but how their parents also have worries/joys/thoughts about those same events. With friendship, it shows how we can be just the right person to help one another grow, show more and also that there are reasons behind why someone is acting difficult. Basically, it encourages the kind of love that comes from taking the time to understand one another. show less

The Rabbit and the Shadow
By: Melanie Rutten

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book was originally published in France in 2013. An English translation was released in 2014 and this new edition in 2018.

Plot
This is really a beautiful little book about how facing our fears helps us grow up. I think too it is a story about how we find our families in this world.

Illustrations
The illustrations in this book are done by the author in watercolors. They are deep hues show more of blues, reds, greens, and browns that blend with every shade and add a richness to the world she has created. Some of the scenes are just soaked with color and some of the pages are delicately swirled. All of the pages tell a story all of their own, even without words. I especially loved the page where the Stag is telling Rabbit the story about the Great Bear always watching over her Little One. The story is great and speaks to mythology but the pictures just create the story itself. I read that the author spent time in other countries and you can see this influence in the world she has created on the page. Just take a look at the landscape that the characters transverse.

I especially loved how the author/illustrator portrayed the “Shadow”. At first, we see the Shadow as a black outline in the woods or lurking in the background. As the story continues, the Shadow is revealed to be the Great Bear. Yes, that Great Bear, the one who watches over her children, always. There is a beautiful scene of this Mother Bear (after she is revealed as the Shadow) dancing that is full of movement and tenderness. Our travelers have faced their fears and can now embrace the Shadow (the unknown?) with love and a sense of family.

Conclusion:
Really, this is just a magnificent little book that you will love. The story is short but I think I fell in love with all of these characters. show less

This is a very sweet book with lovely illustrations. The style of the artwork is a pleasant reminder of many of the picture books I loved when I was a child myself back in the 1950s. The story has some fine lessons on growing up and facing fears, as well as something interesting to say about families and forming relationships. I think it's definitely a book for a child to share with an adult who can bring out the themes and explain things along the way. But I'm betting the adult will enjoy show more it, too. show less