Review of St Sebastian, Jack & The Silver Lining

Post by **Seetha E** » 08 Jul 2025, 05:18

[Following is a volunteer review of "St Sebastian, Jack & The Silver Lining" by Milly K Reynolds.]

5 out of 5 stars

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Milly K. Reynolds is the author of the children’s book titled St. Sebastian, Jack & The Silver Lining. The illustrations are by Siggo. The cover features the main characters: St. Sebastian and Jack. Jack is a tall, lanky, and lean man. He is aged and has pronounced features that draw attention. It was mainly his beard, with gold and pink-colored polka dots, that caused him a lot of distress. St. Sebastian is a rat who often sits on Jack’s bright green hat. He is kind and tame, but very wise. He fits perfectly well in the middle of each polka dot on Jack’s beard. The friendly duo traveled to exciting places. But wherever they went, people teased and taunted Jack. They bullied him and even called him mean names. Disappointed with the unwarranted behavior, Jack chose isolation over the company of unkind people. Sebastian had witnessed it all. Seeing his dear friend in distress, he decides to take action. Pick up your copy to find out more.

I recommend this book for homes with kids and educational spaces. This book addresses the said issue on two levels: internal and external. The narrative beautifully encourages young readers to look within and build on their special qualities and talents, which in turn helps them gain self-belief and confidence. It demonstrates that we should not let people’s opinions impact us. I applaud the author for choosing a rat, which is often despised.

The narrative showcases how physical appearance has taken center stage in present times. I appreciate that Jack is depicted as an elderly person. It serves to emphasize how insecurities related to physical appearance can result in a lack of self-esteem, which can often negatively impact an individual’s confidence levels and social interactions for a lifetime.

This book guides readers on how to deal with insecurities and bullies. It encourages readers to be confident and establish self-worth. The essence of true friendship shines through. The simple vocabulary and lyrical tone add a nice touch.

Readers will notice the colors, which are not the usual bright colors one expects in a children’s book—a gentle reminder that it does not diminish the value of the message therein. Overall, the book beautifully reminds us to celebrate our uniqueness. I loved the choice of pastel-colored caricatures for the illustrations. They perfectly complement the narrative. The one involving Jonny and Nelly shows exactly how we allow others’ opinions to overpower us.

That said, my only complaint is regarding the font size. It is too small. Considering that kids may eventually attempt reading the book themselves, an interesting font with a larger size can be considered. While it is comfortable for adults to read it to kids using a laptop, it would be challenging on a smaller device. This concern does not justify a reduced rating. With no other negative comments on this error-free and impeccably edited book, I gladly award it five out of five stars.

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St Sebastian, Jack & The Silver Lining
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Post by **Priya Murugesan** » 19 Jul 2025, 09:30

I believe adults can also get a message or two from this book! You have appropriately noted the font size, which is a concern, especially in children's books. Thanks for introducing such an interesting book!