THE BIGGEST AND BRIGHTEST LIGHT: The Magic of Helping Others by Marilyn Perlyn

THE BIGGEST AND BRIGHTEST LIGHT: The Magic of Helping Others is the Second Edition, © 2013. The original book (2004) had a different sub-title (A True Story of the Heart). This new edition features a new cover and a CD of music that tells the story.

Author Marilyn Perlyn and Illustrator Amanda Perlyn have both been awarded a Mom's Choice Awards® for this wonderful book!

This timely new book will inspire children and give them a real understanding of the feelings that come from giving. With America’s renewed interest in character education, The Biggest and Brightest Light is almost “a caring textbook” that is written in a storybook form about a child and her teacher.

When six-year-old Amanda wanted to help her teacher who had a problem, she wondered what could she do? She thought of great ideas like making holiday decorations, baking cookies, and entering a contest. Through Amanda’s efforts to help her teacher, she discovered that helping someone else gave her the best feeling she ever, ever had. It was better than eating a chocolate sundae, better than opening up all the presents at her birthday party, and even better than the day she got her new wet-nosed puppy!

The uniqueness of this incredibly inspiring book lies in the fact that The Biggest and Brightest Light is a true story written by Amanda’s mother and beautifully illustrated by Amanda when she was only 16 years old. This tender story, written primarily for children ages 4 through 10, will tug at the heartstrings of readers of all ages.

 “In 1996 I had the honor of lighting the Centennial Olympic Flame in Atlanta, Georgia. This is a light that is celebrated throughout the world. Just as the Olympic torch passes from person to person, over mountains and seas, may each of your acts of caring kindle a light in another to reach out and make a difference in someone’s life. It is my hope that this story, The Biggest and Brightest Light, will be the spirit that sparks that desire.” — Foreword by Muhammad Ali

About the Author:

 Marilyn Perlyn, and her husband, Don, live in Boca Raton, Florida. They have raised three children who have each received local, state, and national recognition for their efforts to reach out and help others. Her inspiration for The Biggest and Brightest Light is rooted in her strong belief, based on years of personal experience, that any properly guided child, who understands that they could make a difference, and should make a difference, would make a difference. For every child who comes to this realization, our world becomes a better place.  She and her family are recipients of a national award from the Points of Light Foundation and the R. David Thomas Child Advocate of the Year Award. Her children have been written about in numerous publications and have appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Dr. Joy Brown Show.
The illustrator, Amanda Perlyn, has been a student of art for many years, and her vivid recollections of herself and her teacher in first grade come to life in her illustrations in this book. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including Seventeen/Cover Girl Volunteerism Award, R. David Thomas Child Advocate of the Year Award, J.C. Penney Golden Rule Award, Daily Point of Light Award, Allstate Good Hands Volunteer Award, and Voice of Democracy Award. In addition, a story about her was published in Jackie Waldman’s book, The Courage to Give.