Each of us is unique in our own way. But we must learn to embrace our differences and stand together as friends. Kristina Lackey introduces this idea with her rhyming children's picture book, Side by Side, We Shine. Everyone thinks differently. Everyone has their own view of the world. Like the colors in a rainbow, some of us gel well with others, while with the rest, we sometimes struggle to find common ground. When the colors Rosie Red and Yavi Yellow meet, Ollie Orange appears in the picture. But Garter Green and Palmer Purple don't easily blend with others. Yet, they are still friends. And all the colors come together to reassure the two. They are all part of the beautiful rainbow after all.

Side by Side, We Shine is a fantastic book for kids. It has a lot of charm and heart, with Kristina Lackey's catchy rhyming narrative making sure children are in for a delightful read. The message of the book is crystal clear. Being different is natural, and kids should be able to acknowledge and respect their own and their friends' differences. This is how friendships are formed at a young age. I loved that each featured character here has a distinct personality. Children will find it easy to relate to these characters according to their own personalities. Another thing that makes this such a fun read is the illustrations by Abigail Chrystine. The artwork is easy on the eye and complementary to Lackey's rhyming narrative. Overall, I think young readers will really love this book.

Side By Side, We Shine by Kristina Lackey is a well-written book that teaches readers, especially children, to embrace each other's differences, as well as treat everyone with kindness. Kristina begins by introducing six characters, each representing the different colors of the rainbow. Rosie Red and Yavi Yellow stood side by side in a rainbow. While they were having fun, they held hands, and suddenly Ollie Orange was formed, shining so bright. Other characters also want to shine, but they have to find the right friend to blend with, even though they remain friends with those they cannot blend with. At the end of this book, children can easily identify the personalities of each character they relate to.

This book was simple yet entertaining, and filled with positive moral lessons that children can apply as they relate with friends and loved ones. They can learn to be great friends to others and treat them with respect and kindness, regardless of differences, such as race or skin color. I loved that the author used just the right amount of well-developed characters and simple sentences so that kids do not get confused while reading. I loved the font styles, colorful pages, and brilliant illustrations by Abigail Chrystine, which made this book more engaging for kids. Children can also learn to differentiate between colors from this book. The writing is concise, well-paced, organized, and easy to comprehend. Themes featured include: friendship, acceptance, empathy, and more. I recommend Side By Side, We Shine by Kristina Lackey to all children and adults who enjoy reading children's books.

Side by Side, We Shine by Kristina Lackey introduces readers to a vibrant, sky-high world where a group of colors tries to get along. We meet characters like Rosie Red, Ollie Orange, Yavi Yellow, Garter Green, Benzi Blue, and Palmer Purple, who each view their surroundings through a totally different lens. Some of the friends discover they can hold hands to instantly form an entirely new color, while others realize they don’t naturally mix at all. The central conflict begins when Palmer Purple sits alone on the steps, feeling left out and upset because she cannot find a way to merge with anyone around her. As the group starts to notice her sadness, the worry mounts to find a space for everyone. Will the group figure out a way to truly unite before Palmer's bright spirit fades completely?

In this educational children’s book, Kristina Lackey accomplishes something rare by transforming abstract emotional intelligence into a vibrant visual lesson that kids can actually grasp. My favorite part was watching the early social interactions between the different colors; it mimics the exact ups and downs kids face during recess. Abigail Chrystine uses soft, inviting artwork to bring these personalities to life, giving characters like the shy Benzi Blue or the energetic Yavi Yellow expressive eyes that instantly broadcast how they feel. From an educational standpoint, this book excels because it advocates for the reserved kids alongside the loud, natural leaders who rule the playground. The relaxed flow of the words keeps young listeners locked in without flooding their senses, making it the perfect tool for classroom circles. I really love how Side by Side, We Shine celebrates individual strengths, leaving young readers with the reassuring message that a community is only complete when everyone feels included. Great book! Very highly recommended.

Side By Side, We Shine is a children’s picture book written by Kristina Lackey with illustrations by Abigail Chrystine. It introduces readers to rainbow-color-themed characters with different personalities. Rosie Red is a smart leader, while Yavi Yellow is energetic and friendly; when they touch, they magically create Ollie Orange, who is calm and thoughtful. Unfortunately, Garter Green feels sad that he cannot blend with Rosie Red but realizes they can still be friends, and Benzi Blue also cannot mix with Ollie, but they decide to stand next to each other. Meanwhile, Palmer Purple learns from Garter that she should not feel like she is an outsider because all the colors play a big role, and together, when they stand side by side, they form a beautiful rainbow.

Side By Side, We Shine is really an uplifting story all about friendship, acceptance, and what makes each of us special. It’s one of the most delightful, creative kids’ books I’ve seen in a while. The way it uses the colors of the rainbow to show that we’re all different but still belong together gives a powerful message that sticks—not just for kids, but grown-ups too. Kristina Lackey shows us that it’s better to welcome differences than to shy away from them. She even weaves her own kids’ names into some of the characters, which makes the story feel extra personal and warm. I loved watching the characters stand by each other and always uplift one another when they felt down. The illustrations really bring each character to life—you can see their personalities in every detail, and that makes flipping through the pages a blast. Each one also gets a little summary at the back. This book is awesome because it teaches big lessons about empathy, inclusion, and being different!