Cool Mom Picks finds Jan Spivey Gilchrist's WE ARE SHINING to be a joyous lesson in empathy

"Once in awhile, a children’s book comes along that’s equal parts timely and classic," writes Liz Gumbinner, the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the Cool Mom Picks network, "and that’s just how I’d describe WE ARE SHINING, penned by the late poet laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner, Gwendolyn Brooks."

"It's filled," continues Ms. Gumbinner, "with exquisite but accessible words of hope, excitement and self-affirmation that even young children can understand and appreciate. And a message they could probably use these days, if they have a sense of some of the more troubling issues in the news lately.

"What’s really special to me is how Brooks’s own thoughts transform into the thoughts of a child, when accompanied by the evocative, colorful artwork of children from Coretta Scott King Award-winner Jan Spivey Gilchrist."

To read the rest of this lovely review, go to this Cool Mom Picks page.

WE ARE SHINING (HarperCollins) is now available from Target, Amazon, bookstores such as Barnes and Noble or Books a Million or directly from the publisher.

And Jan Spivey Gilchrist, who has a good deal of experience speaking to many different types of audiences, is available for presentations to home schooling groups, conferences, festivals and children in school settings. For descriptions of her programs and other details, visit Balkin Buddies or give us a call.