The Silver Shadow by Mariesa Dulak

The Silver Shadow by Mariesa Dulak

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 – perfect for fans of Nicola Davies and Benji Davies' The Storm Whale.

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.

Mariesa Dulak is an author and part-time school librarian based in London, who previously worked for over 20 years in Marketing for publishers including Hachette and Penguin. She won the FAB Prize for her début picture-book text There's a Tiger on the Train, which Faber is publishing with illustrations by award-winning artist Rebecca Cobb. Being of dual heritage (British and Barbadian), Mariesa is passionate about diversity in children’s books and think it’s crucial children see themselves represented in stories.

Artist Alea Marley was born in the UK with Barbadian roots. Her other books include award-winning poet Dean Atta's picture-book début Confetti, the picture-book of the Bob Marley song Is This Love, adapted by Bob's daughter Cedella Marley, and Phoebe Dupree Is Coming to Tea for Walker Books. Follow her on Instagram @aleamarley.