My Bright Shining Star

An absolutely beautiful story about a young girl in a children's (group) home. The heartwarming message shines through along side beautiful and deeply colored illustrations. I absolutely love the diversity of the different families presented in this book. It just furthers the message that the perfect family is the one that right for you. The topic is definitely one that is a little tougher to discuss especially for a younger audience, but this book presents it in a way that is accessible and uplifting for kids.

A beautifully told story that is more autobiographical than most children’s books.

Fatima Whitbeard is well know to me as a successful British athlete. I knew nothing of her background and struggles growing up in the care system. Now a new generation will learn about her, as an author and through her honesty relating her difficult childhood.

The first thing that the accompanying illustrations and the engaging text reflect is that the children’s home was filled with love and the children were cared for, however long their stay. Fatima was destined to spend several years here, while other children were collected by loved ones or found foster parents. What marks out Fatima’s story is that it is filled with hope, where the North Star resonates for her as a focus and one particular member of staff was fundamental in her upbringing.

Aunty Rae was her bright and shining star. Sharing so much love and nurturing. Fatima was cherished and her story about little Fatima is devoid of bitterness and filled with a belief in a positive tomorrow.

I think the story is quite magical. What makes it special is that it is true reflection of her childhood and not just simply good fiction. I believe, as my grandchild did, your own young readers will delight in these pages and return to the book time, and time again.

My goodness. This nearly made me cry!
This picture book tells the true story of Olympic athlete and medalist Fatima Whitbread's childhood journey to find her forever home through adoption.
Fatima's future was uncertain after being sent to live in a children's home but there was one constant in her life- her "bright shining star", Aunty Rae, a foster carer who always made Fatima feel loved and secure even through disappointing times. When other children were adopted and Fatima was left behind, Aunty Rae continued to lovingly care for Fatima and be her greatest sense of support.
There are so many things to love about this book. I loved seeing the diverse families that Fatima spent time with while choosing her forever home. I loved the relationship between Aunty and the children. I loved the fanciful illustrations on each page. What I loved the most was how the reason for Fatima and the other children needing to live in a children's home was explained, without disparaging the biological parents. We were presented with simple facts in childlike prose: one child's dad "had to move away for a while". Fatima's mum "sometimes had trouble" looking after her & teddy bear so they went to live at "the big house for a little while".
No judgement. No villain parents.
Because of Aunty Rae's nurturing care, Fatima came away from her experiences in the children's home a stronger person who understands the power of kindness and love.

I look forward to this book's release when I will be purchasing a copy for my young son's bookshelf.

I was provided a digital copy of the book for review. Many thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this lovely story!

My Bright Shining Star is such a heartwarming touching story for all ages! This book shows that everyone deserves hope and happiness! This was very well written & the pictures were Bright and wonderful! I believe everyone child should read this to show that everyone endures many different lifestyles and that we all should never give up hope! Very wonderful!

ARC Review
This is a beautiful book about a child in the foster care system, waiting to find her forever home. There is no true "ending", just the hope that some day that family will come. I think it's a kind and hopeful way to talk to children both in and out of the system about what some kids have to endure.

What a beautiful story about life for young children living in foster system. The illustrations in this book are absolutely stunning. As a mother to three young children, I love that I could read this book to my children and they would have a better understanding about children in different life situations. I also love that children in the foster system could read this book and see themselves. I would recommend this book to families with young children.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the ARC!

I received an ARC of this children's book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a beautiful children's book. The story is heartwarming and wonderful and the pictures are really well done!

Fatima lives in a children's home. It was a fun place until she noticed her friends were all beginning to leave while she wasn't going anywhere. Her favourite adult, Aunty Rae, always made time for Fatima. They\ even looked at the night sky together. She did go on visits to people's houses, but Aunty Rae was always there for her to snuggle up with afterwards. No matter what happened, Fatima knew her Aunty Rae would always be there for her.

This is a beautiful, inspiring book covering the early part of Olympic Javelin champion, Fatima Whitbread's life. It is illustrated by Rhian Wright and is bright, cheerful, and full of hope. I usually steer clear of celebrity authors, but this is different. Her knowledge and understanding give Fatima Whitbread the ability to show a child's life in care accurately and without covering anything up. Although some things in the care system will of necessity have changed, this is a testament to the author's positivity and strength of character, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Quarto Publishing Group, but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this and recommend it for children inside and outside of the care system. Its positivity is both encouraging and contagious.

Beautifully written and illustrated! Everyone needs a bright star in their life, and the author shows just how important that person can be.

This is such a meaningful children’s book about what it may be like to be waiting for adoption. I loved how inclusive it was to the different types of families who adopt

Ah, the tenderness in this book.
We follow a young child’s (based on the author’s real life experiences) experience and interior voice about being in the care system, and meeting a very good human, as well as her observation of other families, children and the kindness in this world.
The pictures and the prose are equally well done.

My four kids and I have read this book over and over again. It is just absolutely darling! I loved the meaning behind it, and the absolutely stunning illustrations. This created such sweet conversations with my kids afterwards as well. Highly suggest every parent adding this to your bedtime stories.

I thought that this book was wonderful and it was a pleasure to read.

My Bright Shining Star follows the story of a young girl who finds herself living in a children's home and waiting to find her forever family after her mum was unable to cope and care for her.

When Fatima is in the children's home she meets a lovely and wonderful lady who she knows as Auntie Rae - this book is really a tribute to her and the people that care for the children that find themselves in children's homes throughout the world for no fault of their own.

Auntie Rae gives Fatima hope and love and the books showcases this beautifully through a song about the North Star - the illustrations in the book are lovely and they really help to bring this all to life - it is all very well done.

I loved the positive messaging in this book - even when you find yourself in a tough and difficult situation that you thing will never go your way, always have hope.

It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!

Very touching book! I love that it is based on a true story. I hope all children in a foster home, care home or other similar circumstance have an Auntie Rae. The pictures are very pretty with such nice coloring. This would be a great book for a child in a situation like Fatima was.

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!!

I had to go look up the author when I saw that this was autobiographical. Fatima Whitbread spent most of her young life in foster care, but she felt loved and had the constant presence of someone who cared. That was why she was so comfortable waiting until she found the family she knew was right for her. Her new mother was a javelin coach, and Fatima went on to win Olympic medals and many other honors. This was an inspirational story, but it was also sweet and the pictures were soft and beautiful. Thanks so much to NetGalley for letting me read this.

This is a really beautiful, heart-warming book from cover to cover. It could be a scary subject for the age it's aimed at, but it's quite the opposite.

The illustrations are wonderful and add so much to the story and the world. They're so detailed and all the children and the adults featured have so much character. They're also thankfully really diverse, and I think every child would see themself in here somewhere.

The ending isn't a stereotypical 'happy' ending, but it's not sad either. It's real and it leaves little Fatima safe and sound. It's pitched just right, and the postscript gives us the rest of the story.

I don't think many picture books cover the area of children growing up in care, so it's probably a much needed addition to the shelves of our booksellers.

This story was a little sad. Its about a girl who is left at a children’s s home and it touched my heart. Its also about showing how important it is to have at least that one person in life who will show you love no matter what hardships you may be going through. I empathized with the character as I have a friend with an adopted son and have never put too much thought into how the kids may feel. Its a very heart warming book and I enjoyed it.

A very moving story about growing up in the care system. This book delicately explores what it is like to wait for your 'forever family' whilst absorbing all the love and support from those around her. Beautiful and vibrant illustrations that draw you in, and a focus on finding the positives in a difficult situation!

Free proof copy provided by Netgalley.

A lovely picture book about a girl living in foster care waiting for the right family to come along, and the love that can be found.
A really important book for those children not living with their biological families, beautifully presented and accessible.

A beautifully illustrated book with a powerful message. Fatima, the author and main character, lives in a children’s home with Aunty Rae while searching for her forever home. I think this story could help any reader—from those who could see themselves and their stories reflected in Fatima to those who could learn more about different living situations and family dynamics. I personally wish that the story included the ending mentioned in the Author’s Note, but it’s still lovely.

Fatima is growing up in a children's home and wonders if she will ever find her new family. Through the ups and downs Aunty Rae is there to support and guide her, providing a loving parental figure. This is a unique and touching picture book, beautifully illustrated, powerfully quiet and thoughtful.
I found the information at the end about Fatima Whitbread's incredible experiences really useful context. Parents might want to read this first and reflect on how to help their children understand what it might be like to live in the care system, especially for younger children for whom this might be the first time they've heard of children living in care.

What a touching story! It is a rather unusual topic. I love the ending too as it offers so much hope for the less fortunate.

In "My Bright Shining Star", Fatima's future is uncertain—but her present is secure. Living in a children's home, she might not know if or when she'll find a new family, but for the time being she has the security of Aunty Rae, the bright shining star who carries her through.

This picture book is informed by the author's experiences growing up in the care system, but more than that it's a tribute to a woman who provided a sense of stability in Whitbread's childhood. After finishing the picture book I looked up an old interview with Whitbread, and safe to say that (appropriate for the age group) this is a much, much happier version of events than her lived experience. When she got older, Whitbread was a very successful athlete, and I love that she has chosen here to focus not on athletics (there are lots of books about sports and success stories) but instead on children who might feel forgotten; I can imagine this being a reassuring gift for a child entering the foster care system.

The art is simple and playful, with a lot of warmth and color. An excellent addition to a library or classroom.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

Firstly, I'd like to extend a thanks to the author, Fatima Whitbread, the illustrator, Rhian Wright, the publisher, Words & Pictures, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this title, My Bright Shining Star. This is a lovely and beautiful picture book for children aged 4-8, with amazing, detailed illustrations with characters that jump to life on the page. The story itself follows young Fatima as she made her way to a children's home under the care of a very kind lady named Aunty Rae. Aunty Rae gives Fatima the guidance and love she needs at a time when she was very vulnerable and needing an adult who was stable and generous. At the end of the story, you discover that Fatima did find a home with her adoptive mother eventually when she was 14 years old, and went on to become an Olympic javelin thrower - an amazing and inspiring story that is sure to capture the hearts of both children and their adults! There aren't many stories told from the perspective of children who live in foster situations, and this story is well-told and empathetic towards the situation of everyone involved. I really enjoyed this story and I'm so glad the author is able to share her story with other children who will find her motivating!

This is a beautiful look at being a child who lives in a home and is searching for their family. Luckily she has a caretaker who is loving to her and supports her as she tries to find where she belongs. Beautiful illustrations.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

HOPE for the future can be found and anchoring to the North star can help show the way.
This is the story of some children who need to live in a care home for a time and while all miss their own homes, some will return there and others will find different forever homes. Sometimes that is a very long time, but it is bearable if there is a kind and giving carer who can help the child to remain hopeful.
Fatima Whitbread did spend years in a care home and later won an Olympic medal for England.
The illustrations by Rhian Wright are happy, colorful, and fun!
Well suited for reading WITH someone of ANY age including ESL, and fine for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions provided by Quarto Publishing Group – words & pictures via NetGalley. Thank you!

This is a beautiful story of a young child living in a foster home, awaiting her forever family. The story was a true testament to the authors own experiences growing up. I thought this book was touching and would be a great read for children in or outside of a foster care setting.

<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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!