Brilliant Star’s Mission
“Children are the most precious treasure a community can possess, for in them are the promise and guarantee of the future.”
Guided by this vision from the Bahá’í Faith, Brilliant Star empowers kids and junior youth as world citizens and supports parents, families, and teachers with helpful resources. We encourage kids to see themselves as spiritual champions and use their virtues to be of service to their families and communities.
Inspired by the Bahá’í teachings, our print and digital content invites kids of all faiths to explore universal concepts such as respect for nature, appreciation for cultural and racial diversity, the power of prayer, the equality of women and men, and the elimination of prejudices. These principles are central to the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, who wrote:
“Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship.”
Designed for kids aged 8–12, years of important moral and emotional growth, Brilliant Star promotes the love of learning with compelling fiction, non-fiction, activities, games, puzzles, comics, interviews, music, and expressive art. Multiple learning styles are employed, such as interpersonal, intrapersonal, visual, and linguistic. Social and emotional challenges faced by children are addressed with respect for age-appropriate development.
Brilliant Star promotes universal values of good character, such as kindness, courage, creativity, and helpfulness. Readers can learn from the adventures of likeable fictional characters, as well as from outstanding real-life role models. Glimpses of Bahá’í history invite children to explore a faith which has members in every part of the world working toward global peace and unity.
Brilliant Star Online, our interactive website, enables kids to follow their curiosity and explore videos, interactive quizzes, stories, articles, crafts, comics, and interviews. The “Imagination Station 2” art app and “How to Draw” videos encourage creativity. The “Luminous Library” provides over 60 full issues of Brilliant Star magazine to search, download, or print. “Space Ace” videos with NASA astronauts add to the immersive experience. Our science content is informed by our STEAMS initiative (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math, and Spirituality).
A separate “Parents & Teachers” section on the website presents tools on education, fostering character strengths, family life, handling challenges, spirituality, and related topics. These materials come from a wide range of experts, professionals, educators, and parents. We recognize that kids are nurtured within diverse families and communities striving to help create positive change.
Published four times per year by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, Brilliant Star magazine is an award-winning publication with subscribers in over 40 countries, coming from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and faiths. Kids aged 7–12 in the U.S. are provided with gift subscriptions as registered members of the U.S. Bahá’í community. Brilliant Star is created through collaboration between staff, contractors, and a network of volunteer contributors from around the globe. We welcome submissions from creators of all ages.
Brilliant Star’s name comes from the Bahá’í writings. From their earliest days, many Bahá’í children say a prayer by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of Bahá’u’lláh and Interpreter of His writings:
“O God, guide me, protect me, make of me a shining lamp and a brilliant star.”
We think of our readers as brilliant stars. They illuminate the world with the radiant light of their character and talents. They have the ability to bring unity to our divided planet.
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