K-Gr 2–Boris, who was shipped around the world in Boris and the Snoozebox (Tiger Tales, 2008), is back in another adventure. This time, the feline wakes up to find he has the wrong shadow. It appears to be that of a mouse and draws the snickers of other animals. Boris is upset and thinks that if he had a bigger shadow, say an elephant’s, “everything would be hunky-dory.” Just when he is about to sink into despair, he spies his own shadow attached to his mouse friend. Vernon is reluctant to give it back since it makes him feel noticed for the first time, but when it proves to be too big to fit into his home, the friends swap and realize they should concentrate on more important things. Although the mixed-media collage illustrations and broken text add a frenetic quality to the story, readers will enjoy poring over the details. Nearly every animal and object has its own shadow, which is a clever touch. —Beth Cuddy, Seward Elementary School, Auburn, NY

September 2009, School Library Journal

Feline Boris awakens from one of the catnaps he pursued in Boris and the Snoozebox (2008) to discover he's got the wrong shadow. A mystified Boris casts the shadow of a wee mouse, causing his cat cronies to snicker and birds to ignore him. After checking out his reflection to make sure he's still 100 percent cat, Boris realizes Vernon the mouse is sporting his shadow. Vernon confesses he swapped shadows when Boris was snoozing because Boris' shadow makes him feel 'BIG and IMPORTANT.' Saddled with Vernon's tiny shadow, Boris understands exactly how Vernon feels, but he still wants his own shadow back. Using teamwork the unlikely duo switch back, but not before some serious bonding between cat and mouse. Relying on varying font sizes and typefaces to emphasize words, the witty text is cleverly incorporated into enormously creative mixed-media collages combining simple lines, bold patterns, and bright colors in a visual cacophony that actively propels readers from page to page as Boris and Vernon pursue and untangle their shadows. Droll drama amid eye-catching artwork. (Picture book. 3-7). 32pg.

August 1, 2009, Kirkus Reviews

Cheryl

Boris and the Wrong Shadow by author/illustrator Leigh Hodgkinson is a hoot. Poor Boris gets made fun of because of his puny shadow. Even the birds aren’t scared of him. He soon finds out that someone feels that way about his shadow all the time, but having Boris’s larger shadow made him feel big and important. With quick thinking, Boris is able to keep his shadow and help a friend.

This is a great book that is funny while it teaches kids about problem solving. The delightful story is complemented by Hodgkinson’s zany and adorable artwork. The overall book design with bolded words, words in bubbles, and curvy word art works so well for this book, giving Boris and the Wrong Shadow a light, whimsical feel despite its important lesson. The book’s large size (11? x 9 3/4?) will make it easy to find on the shelf, but it will never be there long because the kids will be reading this one all the time.

Highly recommended!

Kristi

Boris the cat loves his catnaps. When he awakes and prepares to take his walk, he notices something very strange. His shadow looked like it might belong to a mouse. Not just any mouse, but a sneaky, squeaky mouse named Vernon. How could this shadow swap have taken place? Without his cat shadow how would Boris make the birds flutter when he bounces by the bird bath? Even worse, what will the other cats think when they see Boris and his very small shadow? It will be tricky getting his shadow back. You'll have to read more to see if Boris succeeds.

The fun and quirky illustrations will have kids learning shapes. Parents can talk to young readers about cats, mice and birds. Lots of colors can also be found for young readers to learn along with lots of other objects kids will have a great time identifying. Simple sentences with easy to recognize words will have kids reading this book over and over.