'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Wednesday 3 March 2021

Review: Shine

In my lightning, you’re the light.
In my brightly, you’re the bright.

Oh boy, don’t we love our families! Kids jumping on our beds too early in the morning, wrestles with dad on the carpet, building cubbies and bath time bubbles. 

Shine is an exploration of all these moments. The ones we love IN the moment, PLUS the ones we love in hindsight because they made our kids so happy (like letting the kids style your hair).

In my sparkle, you’re the spark
The glow in moon glow after dark.

Written in flawless rhyme (you’re a rhyme genius, Danny Parker!), with some hauntingly beautiful lines, the story explores all the ways our special people are our ones and only. 

What I love about this book is that it doesn’t actually tell you who the special ones are. Is it kids referring to their parents, or parents referring to their kids? I think it’s both, and that is such a beautiful thing to have in book form, making this a gorgeous story to read together.

Ruth de Vos’s illustrations add so much to this stunning picture book. Each spread dives deep into a family moment with loads of colour and glorious details. I think all readers (big and small) will find themselves somewhere between the pages, and you’ll have a ball devouring the pictures and falling into the details of home. 

I am most definitely the mum drinking a cup of tea with a book in hand and a giant pile of laundry behind me!

If you’re looking for a picture book stunner to share with your little ones, or a loving gift for a newborn or child in your life, I highly recommend Shine. It will warm your heart and is sure to become a family favourite.

For more picture books by Danny Parker, make sure to check out Road Trip and Molly and Mae. Find out more about Ruth de Vos here and check out Barefoot Bea for more of her beautiful illustrations. 

Title: Shine
Author: Danny Parker
Illustrator: Ruth de Vos
Publisher: Fremantle Press, $24.99  
Publication Date: March 2021
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781760990213
For ages: 3 - 6
Type: Picture Book