'Shadow' play can entertain

'The Lonely Shadow" by Clay Rice is an unusually special picture book for children ages 4-8 and the adults in their lives. The Lonely Shadow, like all the rest of us, is looking for something and someone who connects with him. He sings:

I have no you

You have no me,

you and me

we have no we,

but if I find you

and you find me,

happy we will always be.

The book is illustrated in full color with Rice's acclaimed hand-cut silhouettes. Pat Conroy describes Rice as "a pure Low Country product who combines great talent with soul and passion." For more than 30 years, Clay Rice has carried on the silhouette tradition of his world-famous grandfather, Carew Rice. His and his grandfather's work is included in the permanent collection of the South Carolina State Museum. Also, Clay Rice is an accomplished singer and songwriter, which is reflected in the lyricism of the text in "The Lonely Shadow."

On Sunday, Rice will be cutting silhouettes 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry. There will be a book launch 6-8 p.m. for "The Lonely Shadow," which will include an author signing, art display and wine reception.

From "The Lonely Shadow," it's a natural progression to read "My Shadow" by Robert Louis Stevenson. ("I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me ...")

And then "Peter Pan," who lost his shadow and had to have it sewn back to his feet.

And while you're on the subject of shadows, you might play shadow tag on a sunny day. Or create shadows with lamps and flashlights. Or show your children how shadows change and how they're affected by the time of day. Has your child discovered that the only way to (temporarily) disconnect from her shadow is to jump?

Shadows are mystical and magical. Scientific and sometimes scary. And fun for free.

Contact Fran Hawk at franbooks@yahoo.com.