My Bright Shining Star

Introduce young ones to the strength of love and hope in this touching story about children growing up in care and searching for their forever homes.

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

Join Little Fatima on a journey to find her forever home, even though it is not as easy as she had hoped. But through this journey, a bright shining star is always there to guide Fatima.

Lots of people look after Fatima and her friends at the care home, but Aunty Rae always makes Fatima feel special and loved. Even as the other children leave with their new parents, Aunty Rae encourages and cares for Fatima, filling her life with warmth and hope.

Through the uncertainty and disappointments, Aunty Rae is a constant support. Together, Fatima and Aunty Rae look out at the bright North Star and dream of Fatima's happy future with a family waiting out there for her somewhere. But the brightest light in Little Fatima's life is her Aunty Rae, her bright shining star.

Kindness and love can make you feel safe and strong. All you need is one bright shining star to make you feel better, and this is the central message of this beautiful, powerful picture book.

Written by world javelin champion, world record holder and twice Olympic medalist Fatima Whitbread, and informed by her own childhood in care, this heartwarming story will fill readers with hope and love. An inspiring true account of Fatima's own adoption and successful Olympic career follows the picture-book story, bringing the reality of growing up in care to life for readers in a gentle and comforting way.

Paired with gorgeous illustrations from Rhian Wright, this is a truly poignant story to be shared over and over again. Centering the important experiences of children in care, My Bright Shining Star shows the power of hope and love for children everywhere, no matter their circumstances.