Out of the Shadows How Lotte Reiniger Made the First Animated Fairytale Movie

A parent might reach for this book when their child is captivated by a unique creative hobby or needs inspiration to persevere through a difficult project. This stunning picture book biography tells the true story of Lotte Reiniger, a German girl who, from a young age, was obsessed with the art of shadow puppets. The book follows her journey as she invents a new form of animation using intricate paper cutouts and a backlight, ultimately creating the world's first feature-length animated fairytale film despite enormous technical and historical challenges, including fleeing the Nazis. For children aged 5 to 8, it's a beautiful introduction to the themes of creativity, resilience, and the power of following a singular passion against all odds.