Like a Shooting Star
Author & Illustrator: Rino Alaimo
Familius
Ages: 3 to 8 years old
Together, firefly and father embark on a journey to get home, with her light leading the way. She is tenacious in her guidance, making sure that the journey takes them where they need to go.
HOPE! That is what comes to mind when I think of families who have loved ones serving in the military. For me personally, the months that my son was overseas, were riddled with worry, fear, and concern, but more than any of those, we had HOPE!
Alaimo portrays this in a beautifully written and illustrated story that is sure to pull at your heartstrings. It is a story of love, friendship, bravery, commitment, and ultimately HOPE.
As the story begins, we learn that the war has just ended and families are awaiting the return of their loved ones. We are introduced to a little boy, for whom that wait is dependent upon a shooting star. He sits, outside, every night waiting for a shooting star so he can wish for his father’s safe return.
On one particular night, a little firefly, struggling to learn to fly, happens to land on his hand. She has tried and tried to fly but has been unable to accomplish this goal. Seeing the little firefly in his hand, the boy confuses her for a star, and we soon realize that the story is in fact about this special little firefly.
She takes on the task of finding the boy’s father and bringing him home.
The story follows her as she travels far and wide, to places that are unfamiliar and uncertain until she happens upon a soldier who has lost his way. She quickly realizes she has found the boy’s father.
Together, firefly and father embark on a journey to get home, with her light leading the way. She is tenacious in her guidance, making sure that the journey takes them where they need to go. She shows readers that determination, perseverance, and resolve are characteristics that help achieve what you set out to do.
Illustrated mostly in different shades of blue, the book is a visually charming collection of pictures of the boy, the firefly, her incredible journey, and the dad all looking forward to being together. Once they make it back, the firefly watches the father and son’s happy reunion, knowing that her actions have helped make the boy’s wish come true.
With joy racing through her heart and love beating in her wings, the firefly lights up the sky with happiness until she realizes she is flying.
Something that had seemed impossible to her has happened. She never gave up and accomplished what she set out to do. Her commitment to her task not only allowed her to fly, but also make the boy’s wish come true. This is the kind of story that teaches us about love, perseverance, friendship, and HOPE.
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More books for this Age Group can be found here.
My thanks to Familius for providing a Review Copy of this book. All opinions provided herein are my own.
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