Story preview
Turn a frightening shape into a light-and-shadow experiment
📖 Picture Book · Printable Pack
Lolo and the Growing Shadow
Turn a frightening shape into a light-and-shadow experiment. Includes a 30-slide interactive PPTX, three branching challenges, instant feedback, gentle English narration, a teacher guide, and four printable pages.
Editable story slides, printable pages and reading notes.
About this picture book
A picture book resource for preschool, kindergarten and family reading. Use it for shared reading, story discussion, vocabulary practice and printable extension activities.
Story reading
Warm narrative materials for early years children.
Classroom use
Editable slides and printable activity materials.
Printable pack
Downloadable ZIP resource for teachers and families.
Read the story
Preview the actual story text here before deciding whether to download it.
Story section 1
Lolo and the Growing Shadow Turn a frightening shape into a light-and-shadow experiment
Age
Ages 4–6
Category
Emotional Regulation and Light Science Learning goal Understand that light and an object make a shadow, observe how distance changes its size, and use questions to make the unknown feel less frightening. Big question The shadow on the wall suddenly grows. Is it a monster, or is light playing a trick? Repeated refrain Find where the light is; then find where the shadow is. Warm-up Use one child-safe lamp. Move a hand nearer to and farther from the wall and watch the shadow change. Never shine a bright light into eyes. ============================================================ Core scene 01 | A Long Sunset Shadow Lolo walks home and sees a long shadow behind him. He freezes, and his heart beats a little faster. Core scene 02 | The Shadow Stops Too Lolo raises a paw and the shadow does the same. He crouches; it crouches. The shadow is copying him. Core scene 03 | Mimi Brings a Flashlight Mimi Hedgehog says, “Let's not guess yet. First, where is the light?” They place a flashlight safely by the rug. Core scene 04 | Near the Light, Bigger Shadow Lolo moves a toy close to the flashlight. Its wall shadow grows into a giant bear shape. Core scene 05 | Near the Wall, Smaller Shadow He moves the toy away from the light and toward the wall. The shadow becomes smaller and sharper. Core scene 06 | The Light Is Blocked Lolo puts his paw between the light and wall. A paw-shaped shadow appears where the light cannot reach. Core scene 07 | Two Hands Become a Bird Lolo and Mimi make rabbit ears, a bird, and a fish with their hands. The scary shadow becomes a game. Core scene 08 | Building a Little Theater They stretch a pale sheet, place the safe lamp behind it, and hold paper puppets between the lamp and cloth. Core scene 09 | The Shadow Monster's Secret The “monster” is only a cardboard dinosaur too close to the lamp. Lolo learns to ask questions when he feels afraid. Core scene 10 | The Light-and-Shadow Show Friends sit down to watch. Lolo smiles and repeats, “Find where the light is; then find where the shadow is.” ============================================================
Interactive challenge 1
How can you make a toy's shadow larger? A. Turn off the light B. Move the toy closer to the light (correct) C. Hide the toy in a box
Explanation
Closer to the light, an object blocks a wider beam, so its shadow on the wall usually grows.
Interactive challenge 2
What three things are needed to make a shadow? A. Only a mirror B. A light, an object, and a surface (correct) C. Only a colored pencil
Explanation
An object blocks light, and the shadow appears on a wall, cloth, floor, or another surface.
Interactive challenge 3
What should Lolo do when he sees a strange big shadow? A. Scream and run at once B. Pause, find the light, and observe with an adult (correct) C. Shine a bright light into his eyes
Explanation
Pausing, observing, asking questions, and finding a trusted adult turns the unknown into something we can explore. Extension activity Cut two simple cardboard silhouettes and, with an adult, create a three-minute shadow story. Teacher note Acknowledge fear before beginning the experiment. Use only stable, cool, low-brightness child-safe lights and never point them into eyes.
How this book supports learning
Use the story to build comprehension, language and conversation around the book’s topic.
Children can practise
Suggested read-aloud flow
Reading notes
Read the story aloud, pause for predictions and invite children to connect the events with their own experience.
After-reading idea
Choose one question from the final slide, let children respond by speaking, drawing or acting, and revisit the key idea together.
Story topics
What’s included
The cards below show the files that are actually available for this book.