Held off as long as possible to leave this - review file impossible to read, due to bug with Adobe that netgalley allege doesn't exist and blame entirely on me.

The Rabbit and the Shadow is, in part, a coming of age story. An orphaned baby bunny is adopted by a Stag, who raised him with love. One day the Rabbit fell in a deep hole. An angry soldier happened by and pulled Rabbit up. Together they travel, til they meet a Cat, who has lost a ball. They help Cat, and he joins the troop. The group decides that they are going to be brave and travel to the volcano. Along the way, Rabbit finds an Egg, that he brings with him, taking care of it. All the while, a mysterious Shadow follows them. What does the Shadow want? And can the group prove to themselves they each are brave? And lastly, will they discover what family truly means?

This is a cute coming of age story, with themes of facing your fears, and what defines family. Much of the story is Rabbit's, but there are a few times when it shifts back to Stag, and you see how sad he is, worrying over his adopted child though he knows there are things Rabbit must learn on his own. Most of my cubs really enjoyed it. The art style wasn't my personal favourite, but I thought the lessons were great ones.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Eerdman’s Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The story, although it has a coming to age, optimistic happy end, it brings you to tears. The little rabbit embarks on an independent path, creating his own, free story, which means also leaving behind the one to whom he promised to never leave. Starting to live your life means also breaking up old promises and pushing beyond your limits and it is what rabbit is doing, being joined by other adventurous souls during his journey. The vivid colours of the illustrations, pastels with a brush stroke that reminds me of Chagall, are the perfect reflection of the search for meaning into the rabbit's life. A story that would love to read to my child before he is becoming a teen.

Beautiful illustrations and part life lesson via several different characters experiencing some anxiety like a Stag who is anxious, a rabbit who is worried and a kid soldier who is angry. All going through a journey to over come their problems.

I would love to read and review this tome if all 56 pages of it are presented and adequately download to Adobe Digital Editions.