Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Today is the holiday to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is a time to reflect on his words and work as well as a time to volunteer and help others. For me I am taking time to reflect on our country and where we are. I am also sharing an amazing picture book that is being released this week that honestly made me think of Dr. King's words. As we see in the news and on our social media that American citizens are being arrested by ICE for not having proof of their citizenship on them, I feel it is an important time to think about the work and words of Dr. King. Our president has created a country of fear and racism with his ICE officers and is spending more money on ICE than most things. This scares me. I am scared for people of color. I am scared for women. I am scared for the LGBTQ+ community. I am scared for America. The hostility that is just growing more and more is getting to a breaking point. This is very scary and it makes me wonder if the United States will survive. I have decided not to focus on the news and awful stories around me but to look for hope and joy this year. Joy is my word for 2026. So with that thought I am going to share with you a beautiful picture book called Let It Shine! A Celebration of You by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Tequitia Andrews. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.
About the Book:
From the Newbery Honor-winning author of Box: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom comes a joyful picture book set to “This Little Light of Mine.” With a unique jacket and case cover, it’s the perfect gift for all of life’s milestones.This little light reflects
an everlasting flame:
Hope that was passed down to you
by those who overcame.
A new sun is rising.
Tomorrow's yours to claim.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Read or sing along to affirmations that will inspire children as well as adults to dream big and commemorate every success. The powerful text reminds readers that everyone has potential for greatness; it shines brightly from within and sparks your determination to reach for the stars, even when you feel doubt.
The vibrant illustrations focus on kids and adults enjoying everyday moments like reading, gardening, and reuniting, as well as commemorating milestones and achievements, like graduating or winning a medal. Certain images also pay homage to historical changemakers such as Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and Shirley Chisholm, and others who paved the way for the Black community.
With two distinct illustrated covers, one on the jacket and the other on the case, this book is the perfect gift for graduation and life’s major milestones. It encourages everyone to fan their spark into a flame, celebrate joy, and cherish each moment.
From Me:
Now just about everyone knows the song "This Little Light of Mine." Carole Boston Weatherford rewrote some of the lyrics of this song and created this beautiful book meant to celebrate each and everyone. The illustrations share various shades of Black people, so it is really an ode to being Black, but the words themselves have so much meaning for anyone. The book is about celebrating you. It talks about how a child's light begins as a spark and needs help to become brighter. The light is the love and pride within you. You can let it shine brighter and brighter by doing good and being proud. It mentions some of the famous Black people who have come before us including Dr. King. They help lead the way, but your own light is important.
At a time when our society is really holding people of color down, this book is an amazing reminder that we each have our own light and life to let shine and do good. We each can make a choice to listen to society or pave our own path. I hope we are all paving our own path by doing good and being true to ourselves. I just love this book and think it is the perfect book for celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as well as each and every Black child and hopefully each and every child. Let's help them do good in our world even if the world is fighting them. This is how we rise against the oppression society is placing on us and our neighbors. This book is a wonderful book to read at any story time, for Black History Month, as well as to gift a child. Let us all let it shine and celebrate the children for who they are and what they do!
