The Silver Shadow - Mariesa Dulak, Illustrated by Alea Marley

LONGLISTED FOR THE CHILDREN'S WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR PICTURE BOOKS 2026

An enchanting story about a little girl, the sea and a seemingly fierce creature in need of her help.

My toes hunt for grooves in the rock. And then ...

I see her. While searching for wonders in the rockpools, a little girl discovers a silver shark, stranded in the shallows – sleek and quick, but still just a baby. The sun is high and the tide is out: how will the shark find its way home? Drawing on family memories of life in Barbados, award-winning author Mariesa Dulak and bestselling artist Alea Marley have woven together a spellbindingly beautiful story about our connections to the sea, and what we owe other living creatures.