Seán Virgo

This quirky, illustrated retelling of a classic folktale is hauntingly beautiful. The language Seán Virgo uses is lyrical -- not surprising, as the author has a background in poetry -- and the style perfectly compliments the whimsical illustrations of Javier Serrano Pérez.

THE SHADOW MOTHER is brief, perhaps best described as an illustrated short story. With minimal text on each page, it describes the life of a boy raised by a mother who has become sullen in her life away from home. The story is subtle, but the sailor-meets-mermaid-like-creature theme is clear from the start. This is, of course, a selkie story, with an absolutely Irish vibe, and with a lovely strangeness in style that is akin to Francesca Lia Block's earlier works.

This is a quick read, and while the almost picture-book-esque format may be unusual for a YA, it is the perfect format in which to present this story. I know it will be a well-loved book, this summer and in years to come.… (meer)