A wonderful picture book about chosen family. The imagery is rich and features really diverse and inclusive figures. Excellent representation, and a good way to introduce children to the concept of fostering and adoption.

<i>"That's the North Star. It always stays in the same spot, and shows you which way is north. Did you know that it can help people find their way if they're lost?"</i>

My Bright Shining Star is a story of Fatima, who finds herself living in a foster home and waiting to find her forever family. At the foster home, she has Aunty Rae who is her shining star. An autobiographical story of the author.

So, I was totally not expecting to cry when I started it but here we are. As a girl from the north, the North Star is very special to me and it's one of my favourite stars. If you asked me I could probably repeat the whole Wikipedia page about it from memory. I even have the constellation on my wall made out of glow in the dark stars.

This is a really touching little book about a topic that can be very hard to an adult, less alone to a child. Yet, it remains bright and hopeful at all times. Such a lovely read!

I also absolutely love the art! The illustrations are so colourful and pretty to look at that I am sure any child would love this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for the e-ARC!

This is such a beautiful story, it's really uplifting and hopeful. I thought the ending was a bit unfulfilling but overall it was good

Review done with help from 9 year old daughter.

We overall we enjoyed the book, we love looking at the sky and wishing on stars. Her favorite part was the song about the North Star. However we felt like the book just kind of ended without us really knowing if she got to stay with Aunty Rae or gets adopted.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

My Bright Shining Star is a tender story about a little girl called Fatima who lives in a childrens home.
Fatima has great fun at her new home and enjoys her time there, but as all the children who live there begin to return to their families or get fostered/adopted, Fatima feels lonely and sad. The lady who runs the children's home; Aunty Rae teaches Fatima about the North star in the sky and that her forever home is out there somewhere and the star will guide her and her new family towards each other. Fatima goes on visits with many families, but they just don't feel like home.
I liked how the story ended not with Fatima finding her forever home but seeking it and the encouragement and reassurance given to her from Aunty Rae. At the back of the book is a message from the author about her adoption journey and inspiring story along with three squares for a child to put photographs or draw pictures of their own journey.

Nice story, lovely illustrations. I loved Fatima’s relationship with Auntie Rae (it made me quite emotional) and the fact that she felt safe enough to wait for a family that felt right for her. And I love the concept of looking at the north star and feeling a connection to someone, possibly even someone you have yet to meet.

There were a couple of things that were a bit confusing. On the first page it says that Mummy found it hard to look after Fatima and Teddy. This is accompanied by a picture of a boy on a scooter, which made me think that Fatima had a brother called Teddy, rather than a teddy bear! I spent a while wondering what happened to her brother! Also, it goes pretty quickly from Fatima waiting for her mummy to collect her to looking for a new family to live with, without much of an explanation.

I liked the information at the end explaining the author’s real-life story, because the book seemed to end without a resolution.

It would be a good book for children in foster care or a care home to read as they will relate to the character, and it could give them hope that the right family is out there waiting for them. Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - words & pictures for the eARC.

In My Bright Shining Star, Little Fatima, a girl in foster care, searches for her forever home with the support of her caring Aunty Rae and the hope symbolized by a bright North Star. Inspired by author Fatima Whitbread’s own childhood, this touching story shows the power of love and hope for children everywhere.

I absolutely loved the illustrations they’re incredible! The story has so much depth, it’s such an important conversation to have. This would be an amazing book for kids in the foster care system, but also for children that aren’t. It would teach them that not all families look the same, creating empathy.

I do think the ending felt a little unfinished, but that may be the entire point that it doesn’t need to happen at that exact moment. But that moment will happen!

<i>North Star, North Star,
Are you near or are you far?
Shining with a twinkling glow,
Please show us which way to go.</i>

This autobiographical picture book by British javelin champion Fatima Whitbread It explores the feelings of a young girl who must go into a children's home. The children all miss their loved ones, but one of the caretakers is loving and reassuring. Aunty Rae points out the North star and teaches the children that it can help people find there way. When they look at the star at night and sing the song, it helps act as a touchstone. The book explores life at the children's home and all the loving ways that auntie Rae took care of her. It continues with three home visits, hoping to find her forever family. Whitbread, like many youth, spent years in the system before she was adopted at the age of 14. Rather than tell her story, this book ends while the child is still young and waiting for that forever family.. But she is confident that she will be ok because Auntie Rae is her North star. This book is perfect for someone who's living situation has changed. They don't know when life will return to normal, but if they can find someone to be their North Star, then they can feel a little safer. Other children can hear this story and empathies with the character. They can think about their own lives and who is their own North Star to rely on. Artis Rhian Wright has created warm touching illustrations that help tell the story.

An important book – that fails, for me. Our heroine is a girl in a foster home, with a lovely lady Rae, who is confident in the permanence of the pole star as an indicator of good things and the right direction, and in our girl finding a forever home. But when no parents come back for our lead, and no real families feel enough like hers for her to want to join them, the piece ends with a positive note yes, but no confirmed happy ending. And what do youngsters in that situation really seek most? I would suggest it is a happy ending, if not for them then for the kids they read about, over a wish upon a star any day.

Things did come true for Fatima Whitbread (and yes, I was always a Fatima boy as opposed to being a Tessa Sanderson fan) when it came to leaving the care system, but boy oh boy, drop the fantasia of messages from the cosmos and give the children in that boat your story, the story that came true and fulfilled everything, rather than the open ending this main narrative settles on. Your standard everyday circumstance young reader would see the ending of this as "looking up, but..." – and I can only assume the people for whom this is most necessary would see through that. Of course, the specialist user of this may well know different, but from where I'm sat these are only good intentions, used ill-advisedly.

Fatima Whitbread’s 'My Bright Shining Star' is a touching, beautifully illustrated tale that tugs at your heartstrings and ignites a sense of hope. This story isn’t just for kids; it’s for anyone who believes in the power of kindness.

Little Fatima’s journey to find her “forever home” is a story of resilience and the unwavering support of those who love us, even when times are tough. The bright North Star serves as a guiding light through the uncertainty, reminding us that there’s always hope on the horizon.

Aunty Rae is the embodiment of unconditional love and warmth, encouraging Little Fatima amidst the challenges she faces at the children's home. Their bond radiates joy, and the way Aunty Rae nurtures Fatima is a reminder of how impactful love and kindness can be.

“Kindness can make you feel safe and strong.” This central message resonates deeply, highlighting the importance of small acts of kindness that can change lives.

Paired with enchanting illustrations by Rhian Wright, My Bright Shining Star is not just a story; it's an experience that should be shared again and again. Whitbread’s own background adds layers of authenticity and warmth that make this tale even more poignant.

— TL;DR: A heartwarming story about love, kindness, and hope that every child—and adult—should read. Perfect for families looking to instill the value of compassion in their little ones.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eArc in exchange for an honest review!

My bright shining star had tears in my eyes by the third page . The beautiful illustrations bring to life the heart breaking reality of childhood trauma all the while highlighting the beauty of chosen family .

This was a sweet book about a little girl that lives in a children's home with other kids. She's sad to be there but luckily she has Aunty Rae who is her favorite. Aunty Rae is great at teaching her about the stars and positivity. They sit together and look at the stars and talk about her future and what she will find. This little girl then gets the chance to visit a few families and then decide who she wants to live with. We get to see who she visits and if she does or doesn't see herself living there and why. All along the way Aunty Rae is there to encourage her and sing to her the song of the North Star.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

This story follows a girl joining a children’s home, her sweet bond with one particular caregiver there, and waiting for her mummy to pick her up like some other children’s caregivers do. Then abruptly, the child is wishing for a new family and meeting with new potential families without explanation.

I think this would be particularly confusing or even frightening for younger children that are not in the foster care system and for any younger child who is potentially going to be reunified with their original caregiver.

But a good fit for older children, particularly children adopted through the foster care system or going through the steps of meeting with potential families. And the illustrations are top notch.

Thank you to NetGalley, Quarto Publishing Group, and words & pictures for the advanced copy.

Interesting and very heartwarming story! My main takeaway from this book was the diversity. It was so impressive and important for the author to include so many different types of families, so that young readers can relate to some aspect of this book. On top of that, writing this book about a girl in a children's home is a breath of fresh air for the world of children's books.
The North Star idea was also unique, and allows kids to find something to latch onto and explore further, even after reading this book. The illustrations helped to accurately show the beauty and power of the North Star, which was awesome. Lastly, I applaud the author so much for letting this book have more of an "open-ended" conclusion rather than a happy ending with a bow on top. The main character did what they needed to do for themself, and (although subtle) this is another important thing for kids to see, read, and recognize.
Stellar book. Bravo!

Lovely book especially relevant if fostering, I was expecting more rhyming and at times it doesn’t flow very well but overall a lovely story.
While it does mention the possibility of two daddies a lot of the book is focused on mummy coming back which is a little outdated

What a gorgeous book!!

Told from a child's POV who is in care due to her mother's inability to raise her, this is a story of love, both lost and found, and how keeping our sights on what's ahead [in this case, they use the North Star as their guide to help direct them as they navigate like in care] can bring us to exactly what we need and how those around us can be family without being blood.

Absolutely gorgeously illustrated and beautifully written [make sure you check out the author's note at the end], I highly recommend this book to everyone.

VERY well done!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Fatima Whitbred, Rhian Wright - Illustrator, and Quarto Publishing Group - words & pictures for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First off, a big thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – words & pictures for the ARC of this beautiful children's story: ' My Bright Shining Star by Fatima Whitbread' a story about the foster and adoption system and how lucky one really is to have an amazing foster looking after you.

With amazing art by Rhian Wright this book for kids leaves you wanting for more.

It almost feels unfinished, but I suppose that leaves it open to interpretation.

This would be good for any young ones library, especially if you're wanting to open the eyes of a young adoptee or help a young human to empathize.

Great reading

5 stars for My Bright Shining Star!

A true story that is full of love & hope, a story that will teach children a deeper meaning of family. The story and art work will have children feeling safe & loved as they are read it. Thank goodness for beautiful humans like Aunty Rae.

The illustrations is what drew me to the book and they are stunning all throughout.

Thanks NetGalley for the e-arc!

This picture book offers a fictionalized account of the author's childhood growing up in a care home. She felt very close to one of the caregivers, and this book celebrates their relationship and the impact it had on her life. The story is honest about tough realities without being too heavy for young children, and the message is inspirational.

Part of the story involves Fatima spending time with prospective adoptive families, before deciding that being with them didn't feel like home. These families involve a multigenerational home, a gay couple that has already adopted a child, and a lesbian couple with no children. Fatima returns to the care home after this, and is still with her favorite caregiver, who she considers to be her "bright and shining star." The book ends prior to Fatima's eventual adoption. There's no real explanation of why she wasn't adopted by any of these families, especially since nothing would "feel like home" when it's brand new. This element of the story may be confusing for children, and is likely to raise questions.

The author's note at the end shares more information about Fatima Whitbread's life, and briefly describes her relationship with this special caregiver, her eventual adoption experience, and the role that sports played in her life to help her build confidence and self-esteem. What she described here sounded more interesting than the fictionalized story, honestly, and I would have liked this better if it had been a picture book memoir.

This book was so cute and sweet!! The story was beautiful and the illustrations were so adorable!!! Aunty Rae and the little girl's relationship was so sweet, and then hearing it was based on the author's real life was perfect!!