There is something seriously wrong in this single parent family. The little red-haired girl has always been told by her 'Ma' that there were no dark places in their old house at all, but when they come to the new one, which is dark and full of dust and spiders, the little girl finds 'Shadow' under her bed. They make friends and hold each other close, and play together. Ma doesn't understand about Shadow and thinks her daughter is making him up, but we can see him; and we can also see that Ma is upset about something. She really doesn't hear what the little girl is telling her. She and Shadow don't go to school, but they play in the attics of the house amongst all the detritus there: 'Sometimes Ma couldn't see for days.' One day, Shadow and the little girl go across the road into the forest, where more shadows abound, and she looses her friend when he plays with the others. She is sad and cries and cries: '...but no one came. I was all alone.' Then she hears a voice calling, and, making her way out of the woods, she finds her mother, and they both see their own shadows. Everything changes as Ma realises what she has done, and now they share adventures together in the house and begin to make friends, and 'We weren't scared.' This is a stunning picture book, with lyrical text and beautiful illustrations in an eastern European style which are memorable. It won't be for all children, but for the ones who can understand and relate to the darkness in the first part, as well as the light and joy in the second, will find comfort in the little girl and her mum coming to understand each other's needs.