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!

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!

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.

A sweet story, made all the more important because of the author actually living a life like this as a child. She brings out the positive things her aunty did for her, and though I would have liked to see more struggles, the message is clear: family are those who truly love you. Highly recommended.

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!

My Bright Shining Star is the story of a young girl named Fatima being placed in foster care after her mother is unable to care for her. As she deals with living in foster care and everything that comes with that, a woman named Auntie Rae is the one that Fatima can always count on. With the other children leaving and Fatima meeting new families, it's Auntie Rae that makes Fatima feel the most safe with the saying :
North Star, North Star
are you near or are you far?
Shining with a twinkling glow,
Please show us which way to go.

This was a really good short read with awesome illustrations that bring this story to light. I really loved how Auntie Rae was always the one person that Fatima could count on for pretty much everything even when things are looking up for young Fatima. This was a really good story with a powerful story behind the book of a young girl finding her place in this world!

Thank You to Fatima Whitbread for sharing your story in a way that young kids would love!

I voluntarily reviewed this complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley

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.

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

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

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.