Book Details:
Book Title: Sam Says: You Are Born to Shine by Sam Hirschmann
Category: Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7), 38 pages
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publisher: Mascot
Release date: February 2024
Content Rating: G. Suitable for everyone.
Shine bright and don’t ever dim your light. These are the words Sam’s mom tells her every night.
When Sam begins at a new school, her classmates make fun of her colorful clothes and vivacious dance moves. Not letting her inner light dim, Sam shows them that the joy you exude when you’re unapologetically yourself is contagious!
In Sam Says: You Are Born to Shine, readers learn the power of expressing their true selves.
Sam Hirschmann is the creator and writer of Sam Says: You Are Born to Shine, and is a true dancer of life. After playing Division I volleyball and working on the trading floor in New York City, she decided to take an acting class, which Sam thanks for sparking her journey into seeing life in color.
She left finance to study acting at the William Esper Studio, which took her down the path of finding her true self and how to authentically let her light shine in every situation. While pursuing acting, Sam began teaching Breathwork classes and sharing her insight on social media in hopes of inspiring others to find their joy within and to let their inner light shine.
connect with author: website ~ instagram ~ goodreads
1. What was the
inspiration for the story? The inspiration for
this story came from a desire to teach young readers the power and gift in
being themselves. This message of “letting your light shine” and never dimming
it in hopes of fitting in and being “cool” was to inspire young readers that
being themselves is one of the best gifts you can give to yourself and to the
world. This is a message that I learned the power of as an adult, and I wish I
learned it more when I was younger.
2. How many bookshelves are in your house? Not enough! Currently I have an entire closet filled with books that I would love to be on a bookshelf displayed in my home one day. I love being able to grab books and draw inspiration from them at any moment, so having books in my house is extremely important!
3. Where do you draw
inspiration from? My past. I love looking backwards
into my past for inspiration. I find so much inspiration and insight from the
life lessons I’ve learned and experiences that have
shaped me.
4.
Favorite book when
you were a kid. Love From Your Friend, Hannah
by Mindy Warshaw Skolsky!!! I was never a big reader as a kid (as I found it
hard to read with undiagnosed dyslexia), but this was the only book I read from
beginning to end because I couldn’t’t give up on finishing it! Still to
this day when I think about this book it brings back memories of tapping into
my imagination as I always felt transported into the story line while reading
this book. I always wanted to meet Hannah!
5.
Tell us about the
process for coming up with the cover. My
illustrator Amelina Jones is extremely talented and was so easy to work with
when it came to bringing my ideas for the energy of the illustrations to life.
For the cover I really wanted it to feel bright, exciting, and joyful. I wanted
whoever came across the book to feel the light and joy Sam was exuding on the
cover. I think Amelina nailed it because every time I look at the cover of the
book it puts a huge smile on my face.
MY REVIEW
This children's book is filled with joy, fun, and friendship. Sam has fun being herself without worrying about being accepted. The story shows that the fun of being yourself can be contagious.
The inside illustrations are bright and colorful, showing interactions among children that make you smile when you view them. This would be a wonderful book to add to your children's library. It comes with a wonderful encouraging message.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.
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Julie Grace