Shine
Peggy Walton
Hardcover
(Presence Publishing, Jan. 1, 2010)
Shine! is a fanciful tale of two little fireflies who leave the glow of their loving home, braving the darkness, to go on a light-seeking adventure. Their exploration draws them from one engaging light source to another as they endeavor to keep themselves safe by keeping the darkness at bay. Eventually, they find themselves trapped, seemingly with no light source and no way out. As the fireflies struggle to freedom they become aware of their own internal source of light. Children delight in the rich illustrations of this book as well as the opportunity to push boundaries and flirt with things that scare them through this story. For adults there is a deep resonance for those who recognize the ultimate futility, leading to entrapment, of seeking safety in external sources over the difficult work of self-determination. Shine! is a story for people of all ages who seek that same internal and eternal light. It is a story of curiosity and exploration, of courage and determination, of growing up and gaining self-confidence. Most of all, it is a story of hope, light, and life waiting to be discovered in none other than our own selves.
J