Beyoncé: Shine Your Light

by Sarah Warren, Geneva Bowers (Illustrator)

Powerful text and beautiful illustrations make this dazzling picture book biography the perfect read for everyone ready to get in touch with and shine their inner light like Beyoncé.

Beyoncé was quiet.
A push-an-empty-swing kind of quiet.
That’s how most of the world saw her, until . . .

She can sing! Do you know she can sing?

one teacher looked closer.

Onstage, Beyoncé became a different person.
Dazzling!
Confident
Bold
This was where she belonged.

Beyoncé is bold, talented, confident, and an inspiring voice and power to millions of people all around the world. This captivating picture book biography celebrates the icon's rise from a shy little girl to a world-famous superstar. Discover the story of Beyoncé as she finds her voice, through trials and triumphs, and understand that you, too, can shine your light like Beyoncé.

Genres: Biography, Picture Books, Music, Nonfiction, Childrens, Kids, School

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

Sarah Warren is an author and early childhood educator. She is dedicated to bringing everyday heroes to life in books that celebrate the diversity in our schools and communities.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more about Beyonce as a person than her life events. At the same time it aims to empower young readers. The illustrations capture Beyonce’s movement.

[Veronika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Happy Bey Day! 🐝

It’s Beyoncé’s 44th birthday and the perfect day for me to write my review for this cute children’s book based on her life that I read earlier this year.

Of the several children’s books I read about Beyoncé leading up to me seeing her in concert back in July, this one by far has the best cover and illustrations overall! However, this one doesn’t really go into depth as much as it could. It mostly skims over her life and works more as an inspirational book with a positive message rather than a biography. But I still think it’s cute and a great addition to the books about Beyoncé niche lol. And I loved the small nod to Ms. Tina and the fact that she was a salon owner, designer, and business woman who paid her own bills! I know that’s right!

[Mimi.Y · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest I only read this after I seen homecoming on Netflix. It really was a cute book!!

[Natasha M. Nurse, Esq. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute but not deeply memorable for teaching kids the story about Beyonce 👍🏾

[Bethany M. Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dazzling picture book biography is the perfect read for everyone ready to get in touch with and shine their inner light like Beyoncé.
It reminds me so much of some of the kids in my daughter’s choir. At school they are shy and quiet.
However, when they get a microphone in their hand and start dancing on the stage, they become bold and confident.
Finding what makes each individual child shine is paramount.

[Jay DeMoir · Rating 4 out of 5]

forever our queen

[Ashley Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A children's biography about hard work, persistence, and finding what inspires your own Sasha Fierce.

[Annese · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVE the art! I wish the book had a little more meat to it, but it did give proper kudos to Bey and her work ethic. Kids are going to enjoy this.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is beautiful but the story is flat. It's too subtle. If you already know Beyonce's career it makes sense, but do you know who hasn't been following her career for the past 20 years? Seven-year-olds! The target audience for picture books.

[Natasha Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book serves a great tool in teaching young kids (girls especially) to follow your dreams. For older kids, it may serve a backdrop to introducing them to the importance of keeping positive people in their lives.

Adults may read this book and think that this story simplifies Beyonce’s, however, that is the point. Young children probably won’t notice how the group dwindle down’s the three, or know about the turmoil that encircled the group in late 1999 early 2000. There is no need for them too. The bigger picture of the story is how one woman followed her dreams, and with the help of those around her (regardless of the other factors that may or may not have played into it), succeeded.

The illustrations for the story are absolutely beautiful. So much so, that I ordered a few products from the illustrator Geneva Bowers. Her illustrations added to the beauty of the story, and if you are looking for a little BGM (black girl magic) artwork, I highly recommend checking out her store.

[Daniel Hojan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Beyoncé: Shine Your Light
Author: Sarah Warren

Reading Level: 2
Book Level: 2

Summary: This book combines fantastic illustrations with the inspiring story of Beyoncé. Chronicling her journey from a young girl with the voice of an angel to a Superstar known worldwide, Beyoncé: Shine Your Light never stops showing the reader just how powerful dreams can be when met with a fierce desire to achieve them.

Genre: Biography

Mentor Writing Trait:
Presentation: This book serves as a fantastic example of the kinetic power of text and illustration when used in the right way. This book feels as energetic as any one of Beyoncé’s music videos thanks to the flowing words and illustrations. This is the perfect book to go along with any lesson on movement or music, as kids can then sing and dance along to any number of hit songs by Beyoncé. The “Single Ladies” music video in particular seems to be made for a classroom to enjoy dancing along with.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good, but not great. The art style is very colorful, but doesn't give a very good idea of what the characters portrayed actually look like. In addition, the text is repeatedly vague about Beyoncé's musical history. For instance, she's shown as being in "a girl group," and that this band "entered a contest. They lost." Okay, but for kids who don't know about the history of Destiny's Child or the TV show Star Search, this is really not informative. The book has a large bibliography, which might help readers to find out more, but the sources are pretty scattered.
Still, for kids who just want to find something short to read about Beyoncé, or ways to be inspired by her, this is a pretty good start.

[Phobean · Rating 4 out of 5]

If Beyonce were a Barbie doll, the illustrations in this light-skimming summary of her life-so-far are an impressive, dazzling representation of what that toy would look like. Like a Barbie Dreamhouse, the story is sweet with little adversity or conflict (although some adversity is hinted at). The text is sure-footed and uplifting. The message about how the world treats girls, and how they can rise above, is clear and concise. I didn't expect to love a picture book treatment of a pop star and icon, but I was curious. This attempt I appreciated more than others. Finally, the illustrations really seem dedicated to immortalizing this woman's hips! It's a bit odd considering the child audience but I guess not unfounded.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely and inspiring picture book for young fans of Beyoncé. Author Sarah Warren uses accessible yet elegant language to help junior readers understand the singular drive and determination that have made her a superstar. Geneva Bowers’ luminous illustrations trace Beyoncé’s remarkable journey from shy little girl to world-renowned entertainer. Warren and Bowers also highlight the impact Beyoncé’s work has had on her fans and how she’s used her fame to help others. Long live Queen Bey!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a great message to follow your dreams and to make your own path but I wished it had a timeline or more information about Beyonce in the back of the book. It simplified her life as most biographies for children do but I thought it could have been beefed up a little. I am glad there is a biography about Beyonce for children to read but I just wanted more. I am interested to see what my students will think of this one.

[Laura Salas]

This is a picture book about Beyonce as a dreamer and a person. It doesn't have many life details, instead focusing on Beyonce's growth. She moves from someone who follows other people's plans (when she's starting out) to someone who takes charge of her life and career. I love how it includes losing and failure and learning as important steps along her journey. This is a book to inspire kids to dream and then work toward their dreams.

[Riley · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the plus side, this is really colorful and feels very joyful overall. On the downside, the illustrations don't look anything like the actual people despite being drawn in a relatively realistic style, and the text is extremely vague. I'm by no means a Beyoncé scholar, but I can't say that I know any more about her now than I did before reading this book.

[Paris Krug · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great picture book with some illustrations that stood out of Beyonce. Relating the books to what is popular today is important to show the love of her music and show. I wish the book had a better overall meaning to it but bringing in books that relate to children will help them with there pleasure reading. This book does a great job by keeping positive people in their life.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

To call this a biography is a stretch. The illustrations are beautiful (which is the reason for 3 stars versus 2 stars), but the story doesn't have much to say. It was almost like it tried so hard to be poetic and inspiring, that the only idea that really seemed to hit home was that Beyonce kept going on. At least I think that was the message...

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyoncé was a quiet young girl until she was on stage singing. She found a way to let herself shine, and she has helped others shine ever since. A beautifully illustrated biography that will inspire young readers to shine their light in the world, too!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are gorgeous and the story talks about important values like dreaming big and working hard for what you believe in and standing firm, but I wanted a bit MORE to Bey's story. Good introduction.

[J. Jefferson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great biography for young readers. The gorgeous illustrations and easy-to-read format of this book lends itself easily to be ingested by readers of all ages. Although a bibliography is provided, a timeline and links to additional resources would have been beneficial.

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great picture book biography of Beyonce. Not as detailed as many picture book biographies are, but good nonetheless. Lots of fun for families to share their love of music and show a great success story.

[Michelle]

Fans of Beyonce will love this light-hearted, colorfully-illustrated memoir. It's not what she'll use to write her book report, but it will bring a smile to her face and maybe a bit of bravery and boldness to her step.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork and a positive story about a hardworking and talented woman. Kids will definitely love checking this one out.

[Jnase1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great message! Great artwork-great read!

[Aliza Werner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a slight to not mention Destiny’s Child by name. That’s how most of the world was introduced to Beyoncé.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. The book was really vague. You could tell they were describing specific events in her life but there were no details so you didn't actually know what was going on.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short picture book with beautiful illustrations about how Beyonce started singing, was supported by her family, worked hard, and believed in herself.

[Pamela Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picture book about Beyonce's childhood drive to be a singer.