Children’s Book Review: Shimmer the Glowworm Finds Her Glow By Shelby Herman

SHIMMER THE GLOWWORM FINDS HER GLOW

By: Shelby Herman

Illustrated by Natalie Kelly

Published: October 3, 2014

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Fiction

Shimmer is one of many glowworms who live a cave in the woods. But her glow is much lighter than all the other glowworms, so she tends to keep to herself. She doesn’t dance or play games with the other glowworms, but instead, hangs out in the background watching everyone else have fun.  When another glowworm suggests she leave the cave to go on an adventure to find her glow, Shimmer decides that may be just what she needs. When she leaves on her adventure she meets other animals in the woods who all feel like they are missing a special quality. As she encourages the other animals and helps them realize what their special quality is, her glow burns a little brighter. By the end of her journey, Shimmer makes new friends and finds out helping others makes her glow a little brighter.

This story is all about being yourself and helping others find their best qualities. Shimmer is kind and her story sends a positive message to kids that everyone is special. The illustrations are computer animated and appear large and bold on the pages. The characters are adorable and kids will enjoy the pictures as much as the story.

I also liked the descriptive vocabulary that Herman used throughout the story, including words like gleaming, lackluster, remarkable, and beaming. It makes the story even more interesting and gives you an opportunity to introduce new words to your child. This is a great story for lower to mid-elementary-age kids. It will encourage a great discussion about kindness, helping others, and being yourself.

Shelby Herman – source

Shelby Herman created ME TREES to empower and inspire children and they are being used in classrooms to teach mindfulness. She expanded on that with the story of Shimmer the Glowworm and soon after, she wrote the theme song Show Your Glow.

She lives in Belmont Shore, California where she works as a court reporter and enjoys meditating, spending time with her daughter and going to the beach with her pink dog Roxy where she finds inspiration everywhere to write and create things.

She is currently working on a second Shimmer the Glowworm adventure. Check out the video below for more on her story. You can also find out more on her website, HERE.