My Name is Sunshine Simpson by G.M. Linton

My Name is Sunshine Simpson is a delightful story of finding your way in the world with the support of those precious people who have come before – parents and grandparents who only want the best for you.

Karis Sunshine Simpson is finding life tricky. There’s a new girl in class who seems to be better than her at everything. When their teacher announces the class will be giving an assembly for their families, Sunshine worries she has nothing to contribute and just doesn’t know what to do. Chatting with her grandad helps but he has his own difficulties. He’s getting older and slowing down. Everything is harder than it used to be.

Sunshine’s voice is honest and so earnest. She throws her heart and soul into everything she does. Her family’s history – from the Caribbean to the UK as a part of the Windrush generation – shapes who they are. They are joyful, caring and full of fun. They love each other whole-heartedly and fight to find their way in the world. This inspires Sunshine and gives her the strength to be true to herself and speak up. The beautiful end to the story is full of family pride and the most gorgeous tribute to grandparents who pave the way for us.

My Name is Sunshine celebrates the relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren. It encourages all of us to take the time to talk and find out about the past. It encourages us to spend time together, to just be in each others company.

It is refreshing to find a piece of realistic fiction that is so charming and grounded in the day to day concerns of children. There’s nothing over-the-top hilarious or farfetched here, just a loving family with all its ups and downs coping with the loss of a beloved grandparent. So many children will be able to relate to this sad event (or store it up for when they are one day faced with it). Sunshine’s positivity will shine into readers’ lives and give them hope.

Thank you to Usborne & Fritha Lindqvist for this charming book.

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