In conversation around her children’s book Just Shine! How to Be a Better You, Justice Sonia Sotomayor draws from personal history to share a message of empathy, agency and belonging. She explains that the book was inspired by her late mother, Celina Báez, whose ability to help people see their own worth laid the groundwork for Sotomayor’s judicial and literary voice. WHYY+2Variety+2 The narrative sits at the intersection of personal memory and national purpose—much more than a children’s story, it is an editorial on democracy and citizens’ roles within it.
By describing her mother as “my first and best teacher,” Sotomayor underscores an enduring truth: meaningful civic engagement begins not with institutions alone but with the relationships that shape individuals. Miami Hurricane+1 When the judiciary’s highest seat speaks in terms of kindness and visibility, it reframes power—not as simply punitive authority but as enabling, inclusive stewardship.
For historically marginalized communities—Latina/o-Americans, women, working-class students—this book carries layered significance. It asserts that representation in the judiciary matters, sure, but even more critical is representation in voice, values, and purpose. In a country built on the ideal that all are created equal, a narrative from the first Latina Supreme Court Justice about “making others shine” reaffirms that promise. Yet it also challenges us: if societal institutions are to reflect fairness and access, why must inspiration so often precede structural change?
If we step back, Sotomayor’s move into storytelling is also a commentary on the Republic’s health. A democracy thrives when citizens see themselves as agents, not bystanders. Books like this cultivate that mindset. But inspiration is not enough without access: if only some children receive this message of self-worth and agency, the promise of the Republic remains partial. Education, mentorship, and civic literacy must accompany those messages.
More deeply, Sotomayor’s dual role—justice and author—reminds us that the rule of law and the rule of life are interwoven. Judicial decisions shape lives; stories shape imaginations. When a justice emphasizes empathy, doing good, and caring for others, she signals a broader principle: that justice is not only what courts do but what society practices. The next generation may read Just Shine! as a tale of kindness, but if we miss its civic code—“we all have brilliance to share”—we risk narrowing the narrative of citizenship to privilege instead of potential.
Closing Reflection:
Justice Sotomayor’s new work offers more than a fictional journey—it extends an invitation to re-imagine the role of every citizen. In a moment when public trust in institutions wavers, the message is clear: democracy begins not only at the ballot box, but in the hearts, classrooms, and homes where we recognize each other’s light. If the Republic is to be upheld, that recognition must become universal—not exceptional.
