In her first children’s book, Ali Gilkeson shares a message for the child in all of us: Love will always lead you home. A founding member of Irish pop-rock band Rend Collective, Gilkeson wrote “My Lighthouse” for her own three children. However, her imaginative tale proves to be a timeless lesson for kids young and old.
“I always look forward to story time in our house. It’s an incredible moment to witness a child’s imagination run wild and free, a moment to catch a breath in a day of mayhem,” Gilkeson says. “I wrote this book to help my kids understand the importance of gratitude, adventure and trust. May this story bring your family together as it has done mine.”
Inspired by Rend Collective’s Platinum-selling song of the same name, “My Lighthouse” follows the story of Fynn, a curious little boy who lives in a lighthouse with his parents and his very round cat. Fynn is embarrassed that he lives in a circular house, while all of his friends live in square homes. He doesn’t like being different. But when Fynn’s adventurous spirit takes him out on the high seas, far from home, he discovers why living in a lighthouse is actually incredibly special.
Lost at sea, Fynn spies the familiar light atop his towering residence, which acts as a compass for the wayward son. As he rows his way back to shore in the glow of that glorious light, Fynn looks around and notices he isn’t alone. The light is helping others find their way to shore, too. The experience helps Fynn discover his home actually possesses a much larger purpose than he even knew; and all at once, he realizes how lucky he is to live in a lighthouse.
Serving as a metaphor for the love of God that always guides us home, Gilkeson’s charming story allows kids to recognize the things that make us different are often the things that make us special. “My Lighthouse” also teaches children the significance of knowing who you are, where you come from and Who you belong to. Additionally, it encourages readers to be a lighthouse for others, helping to steer them toward what’s most true.
“New York Times” bestselling illustrator Lee Wildish brings Gilkeson’s clever words to life through whimsical illustrations that beautifully capture Fynn, his parents and the generations of family members who have occupied the lighthouse before them. An early spread showcasing various types of housing is particularly endearing, serving as both a way to give context for the story and educate children about homes that might look different from their own.
“My Lighthouse” marks Gilkeson’s first foray as an author, but the mother of three is no stranger to dreaming up resources for kids. She’s been an instrumental part of creating Rend Co. Kids, a Rend Collective brand aimed at children that includes everything from music and video content to devotionals and apparel. Gilkeson’s mother’s heart shines most brightly, however, within the colorful pages of her very own book.
“This is a story about a house,” Gilkeson writes in the title’s opening line. Yes, “My Lighthouse” is, indeed, about a house, but it’s also about so much more. “My Lighthouse” is a story about bravely following the call of adventure, relying on the sure foundation of home, and being thankful for what you have. Moreover, it naturally opens the door for conversations about how God’s love for His children is like Fynn’s lighthouse, steadily guiding us back toward safety, family and our true north.
Beyond the bigger lessons it teaches, the hidden treasure of “My Lighthouse,” lies in Gilkeson’s gentle humor, teased throughout the pages of her delightful debut. A witty, inspiring read through and through, Gilkeson’s first crack at children’s literature reveals her to be as astute at prose as she is at music. “My Lighthouse” is a beacon of hope for little readers everywhere, assuring everyone who devours the book that home will forever be an anchor in the midst of life’s stormiest seas.
