Just Shine

I read “Just Shine”to my class this week, and it opened up one of the most heartfelt conversations we’ve had about love, learning, and the quiet ways we influence one another. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor offers wise words to live by for young children, but the message resonated deeply with all of us.

Through the tender lens of her relationship with her mother, Celina, Ms. Sotomayor reminds us that children learn not only from what we say but from how we live. Her words gently echo what every parent and teacher knows in their heart—that little eyes and ears are always watching, absorbing our kindness, our resilience, and our choices.

As we discussed the story, my students spoke about how their mothers show love in simple ways like packing lunch, tucking them in, listening after a long day. It was a moving reminder that love is often quiet, consistent, and powerful enough to shape who we become.

This book is a beautiful celebration of how each of us can shine and make the world a more special place, simply by being thoughtful and true to who we are. It’s also a gentle nudge for adults to live with intention, because the children in our care are learning from our every action, even when we don’t realize it.

A perfect read-aloud for Mother’s Day, “Just Shine” reminds us that the lessons of love often begin at home—with a mother’s heart lighting the way.