{"product_id":"shadow-mother-hardcover","title":"Shadow Mother - Hardcover","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eSeán Virgo\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eJavier Serrano Pérez\u003c\/b\u003e (Illustrator)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the Selkie legends of Scotland and Ireland, a seal sheds its skin and comes ashore as a woman. When a man falls in love with her, he hides the skin to prevent her from returning to the sea. In Seán Virgo's story, the master of a tall ship hides the shadow of his beloved, with moving consequences.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhile on a voyage far from home, his ship at anchor among islands and palm trees, a ship's master sees a girl laughing in the sea. He is entranced and searches for her on his way home. A wise old woman tells him where to find her, and also tells him that he must hide her shadow. He is convinced that he loves the girl more than the sea itself, and takes her back to the river of his birth, where their son is born.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe boy grows up in a world of silence. His father is gloomy, and his mother, although loving, moves like a shadow in the house and walks alone by the sea, full of loss and longing.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOn his tenth birthday the boy finds an old sea chest in the attic, where he returns whenever he feels sad and lonely. One day its rusty lock comes undone, and inside he discovers a strange white skin, with an underside that stings him. The boy becomes feverish, and in his delirium hears a voice telling him to take the skin down to the shore. Waves gradually take the skin and the boy into the water, and he swims out to the world where he belongs.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeán Virgo was first inspired to write this story when researching a novel in the Solomon Islands, where the islanders believe in Kareimanua, a half man, half shark. He was also influenced by the Selkie legends of Scotland and Ireland, the swan maiden of Germanic myth, and the European fascination with the South Seas, involving both romance and plunder.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeán Virgo's mysterious, haunting story is complemented by Javier Serrano's extraordinary and stunningly beautiful illustrations.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSeán Virgo\u003c\/b\u003e is a noted poet, short story writer, and novelist. He lives in Eastend, Saskatchewan. \u003cb\u003eJavier Serrano Pérez\u003c\/b\u003e is the graphic designer and art director of Anaya, one of Spain's most prestigious children's publishers. He lives in Madrid.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 64\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.5 x 8.6 x 5.4 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIllustrated:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e June 01, 2014\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42702330789951,"sku":"9780888999719","price":26.34,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0105\/8226\/1823\/files\/dc7ed9e4be058159132a7c49d6321c0e.webp?v=1765024113","url":"https:\/\/dhlswag.com\/products\/shadow-mother-hardcover","provider":"BBB","version":"1.0","type":"link"}