{"id":8232271839469,"title":"Dear You, Dream Big!","handle":"dear-you-dream-big","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDear You, Dream Big!\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/baptiste-paul\"\u003eBaptiste Paul\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/tonie-chambers\"\u003eToni Chambers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eANYTHING and EVERYTHING is possible!\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA new classic for black and brown children.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerhaps you want to become an artist, or a scientist, or maybe even president. Even when--especially when--the path is hard, Dear YOU: Dream BIG.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA personal, poetic, and uplifting affirmation from Caribbean-born author Batpiste Paul encouraging today's Black youth to reject those who wish to silence them, exclude them, and reject their talents with one powerful refrain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA powerful, lyrical anthem of Black pride celebrating Black creativity, leadership, and innovation that's perfect for fans of \u003ci\u003eAll Because You Matter\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eI Am Every Good Thing\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eI Am Enough\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/imanis-moon\"\u003eImani's Moon\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/no-voice-too-small\"\u003eNo Voice Too Small\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/circle-round\"\u003eCircle Round\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/nina\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[TABS]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/dear-you-dream-big-spread.jpg?v=1700081731\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/dear-you-dream-big-cover.jpg?v=1700081730\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/dear-you-dream-big-cover-hires.jpg.zip?v=1700081747\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBaptiste Paul, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBaptiste Paul is a Caribbean-born children’s book author. He is a native Creole\/Patois speaker who enjoys sharing stories about his experiences with anyone who will listen. Baptiste has written many books for young readers, including \u003ci\u003eThe Field\u003c\/i\u003e; \u003ci\u003eTo Carnival\u003c\/i\u003e; and \u003ci\u003eClimb On!\u003c\/i\u003e; and \u003ci\u003ePeace\u003c\/i\u003e; \u003ci\u003eAdventures to School\u003c\/i\u003e; and \u003ci\u003eI Am Farmer\u003c\/i\u003e with his wife, Miranda Paul. Baptiste’s stories are fueled by his passion for diversity, inclusion, and uninhibited jwe (play). He lives in Wisconsin with his wife and children.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/baptiste-paul\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Baptiste\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eToni Chambers, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToni Chambers always wanted to be an artist, whether it was as a dancer, actress, or singer, for as long as she could remember. Her passion for reading and storytelling led her to a career as an illustrator. She earned her BFA in illustration at the University of Massachusetts and works on children's book illustration, editorial and commercial art, character design, and story development. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/toni-chambers\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Toni.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChildren's Literature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis meaningful story follows three children of color as they pursue their passions to become an artist, a leader, and an aerospace engineer despite not having examples of people who look like them experience success in those fields. Throughout the story the anthem of dreaming big is reiterated as the children face adversity and feel as though they are being silenced and having their dreams crushed. Examples of black artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, black politicians Angela Davis and Shirley Chisholm, and black NASA scientist Katherine Johnson are pictured and named, subtly breaking the cycle mentioned throughout the story of lack of black representation in American history. The book encourages following your dreams, dreaming big, and empowers youth, especially of color, to remember that anything is possible. The colorful and impactful illustrations are empowering and represent many different skin tones that are otherwise underrepresented in children’s literature. This book would make a great addition to elementary and early middle school classroom libraries as well as home libraries. It would lend itself nicely to units about self, communities, careers, and cultures around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/x-default-stgec.uplynk.com\/ause\/slices\/c80\/44c3f81cadf84cf5a6f4e6d100388208\/c808d0f9935d4b5c8fcd157214a53e2b\/c808d0f9935d4b5c8fcd157214a53e2b_e.mp4\" target=\"new\"\u003eWatch Baptiste Paul\u003c\/a\u003e on \u003ci\u003eThe Morning Blend\u003c\/i\u003e on TMJ Channel 4 in Milwuakee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBlack and brown children are encouraged to stand tall and proud in this second-person narrative. Illustrations show the children at school, facing struggles and learning about important figures in science, politics, and art. Three children study real-world figures, such as Katherine Johnson and Shirley Chisholm. An art classroom has a poster of Jean-Michel Basquiat on the wall, and his crown iconography figures heavily into the fictional character’s aesthetic. The inviting text is both affirming and repetitious, encouraging Black and brown children to persevere. White characters are shown as beneficiaries of systemic discrimination: a blond white boy with a presentation on Lincoln becomes class leader, it’s inferred, and a white teacher speaks to a white student while the Black girl raises her hand, again, inferring neglect. The truth of unfairly amplifying white voices over others is addressed vaguely by the text, but more specifically in the illustrations. These are done with digital crayon and colored pencil and take artistic license with, for example, skewed body proportions and room perspectives. The three protagonists are detailed, while other characters are often shown as sketched silhouettes in the background. NASA headquarters is also depicted simplistically. An author’s note touches briefly on Paul’s Caribbean upbringing. VERDICT This book may strike an interest in collections where books such as I Am Enough by Grace Byers or Black Is a Rainbow Color by Ekua Holmes have done well; it lacks their finesse but has a tremendous underlying message.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-295-5\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 5-8\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e10\u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e x 9\u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePublication date: May 14, 2024\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[\/TABS]\u003c\/p\u003e\n","published_at":"2023-10-05T11:06:09-04:00","created_at":"2023-10-05T10:27:54-04:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Ages 3-6","Browse by Age_Ages 6-10","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Nonfiction","Browse by Format_Picture Book","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Diversity","Browse by Subject_Early Childhood","Browse by Subject_Life Lessons \u0026 Skills","Browse by Subject_Social Studies\/Cultures","Browse by Subject_Story Time \u0026 Play","civil rights"],"price":1799,"price_min":1799,"price_max":1799,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":44272608968941,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"42955","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Dear You, Dream Big!","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":1799,"weight":567,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":10,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"9781623542955","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/dear-you-dream-big-cover_55f1f641-8f0c-420f-9a29-bd66bc5f2df2.jpg?v=1704983978"],"featured_image":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/dear-you-dream-big-cover_55f1f641-8f0c-420f-9a29-bd66bc5f2df2.jpg?v=1704983978","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":32080495378669,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.103,"height":544,"width":600,"src":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/dear-you-dream-big-cover_55f1f641-8f0c-420f-9a29-bd66bc5f2df2.jpg?v=1704983978"},"aspect_ratio":1.103,"height":544,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/imaginebooks.net\/cdn\/shop\/files\/dear-you-dream-big-cover_55f1f641-8f0c-420f-9a29-bd66bc5f2df2.jpg?v=1704983978","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003ch1\u003eDear You, Dream Big!\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/baptiste-paul\"\u003eBaptiste Paul\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/tonie-chambers\"\u003eToni Chambers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eANYTHING and EVERYTHING is possible!\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA new classic for black and brown children.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerhaps you want to become an artist, or a scientist, or maybe even president. Even when--especially when--the path is hard, Dear YOU: Dream BIG.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA personal, poetic, and uplifting affirmation from Caribbean-born author Batpiste Paul encouraging today's Black youth to reject those who wish to silence them, exclude them, and reject their talents with one powerful refrain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA powerful, lyrical anthem of Black pride celebrating Black creativity, leadership, and innovation that's perfect for fans of \u003ci\u003eAll Because You Matter\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eI Am Every Good Thing\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eI Am Enough\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/imanis-moon\"\u003eImani's Moon\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/no-voice-too-small\"\u003eNo Voice Too Small\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/circle-round\"\u003eCircle Round\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/nina\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[TABS]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/dear-you-dream-big-spread.jpg?v=1700081731\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/dear-you-dream-big-cover.jpg?v=1700081730\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/dear-you-dream-big-cover-hires.jpg.zip?v=1700081747\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBaptiste Paul, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBaptiste Paul is a Caribbean-born children’s book author. He is a native Creole\/Patois speaker who enjoys sharing stories about his experiences with anyone who will listen. Baptiste has written many books for young readers, including \u003ci\u003eThe Field\u003c\/i\u003e; \u003ci\u003eTo Carnival\u003c\/i\u003e; and \u003ci\u003eClimb On!\u003c\/i\u003e; and \u003ci\u003ePeace\u003c\/i\u003e; \u003ci\u003eAdventures to School\u003c\/i\u003e; and \u003ci\u003eI Am Farmer\u003c\/i\u003e with his wife, Miranda Paul. Baptiste’s stories are fueled by his passion for diversity, inclusion, and uninhibited jwe (play). He lives in Wisconsin with his wife and children.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/baptiste-paul\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Baptiste\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eToni Chambers, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToni Chambers always wanted to be an artist, whether it was as a dancer, actress, or singer, for as long as she could remember. Her passion for reading and storytelling led her to a career as an illustrator. She earned her BFA in illustration at the University of Massachusetts and works on children's book illustration, editorial and commercial art, character design, and story development. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/toni-chambers\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Toni.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChildren's Literature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis meaningful story follows three children of color as they pursue their passions to become an artist, a leader, and an aerospace engineer despite not having examples of people who look like them experience success in those fields. Throughout the story the anthem of dreaming big is reiterated as the children face adversity and feel as though they are being silenced and having their dreams crushed. Examples of black artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, black politicians Angela Davis and Shirley Chisholm, and black NASA scientist Katherine Johnson are pictured and named, subtly breaking the cycle mentioned throughout the story of lack of black representation in American history. The book encourages following your dreams, dreaming big, and empowers youth, especially of color, to remember that anything is possible. The colorful and impactful illustrations are empowering and represent many different skin tones that are otherwise underrepresented in children’s literature. This book would make a great addition to elementary and early middle school classroom libraries as well as home libraries. It would lend itself nicely to units about self, communities, careers, and cultures around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/x-default-stgec.uplynk.com\/ause\/slices\/c80\/44c3f81cadf84cf5a6f4e6d100388208\/c808d0f9935d4b5c8fcd157214a53e2b\/c808d0f9935d4b5c8fcd157214a53e2b_e.mp4\" target=\"new\"\u003eWatch Baptiste Paul\u003c\/a\u003e on \u003ci\u003eThe Morning Blend\u003c\/i\u003e on TMJ Channel 4 in Milwuakee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBlack and brown children are encouraged to stand tall and proud in this second-person narrative. Illustrations show the children at school, facing struggles and learning about important figures in science, politics, and art. Three children study real-world figures, such as Katherine Johnson and Shirley Chisholm. An art classroom has a poster of Jean-Michel Basquiat on the wall, and his crown iconography figures heavily into the fictional character’s aesthetic. The inviting text is both affirming and repetitious, encouraging Black and brown children to persevere. White characters are shown as beneficiaries of systemic discrimination: a blond white boy with a presentation on Lincoln becomes class leader, it’s inferred, and a white teacher speaks to a white student while the Black girl raises her hand, again, inferring neglect. The truth of unfairly amplifying white voices over others is addressed vaguely by the text, but more specifically in the illustrations. These are done with digital crayon and colored pencil and take artistic license with, for example, skewed body proportions and room perspectives. The three protagonists are detailed, while other characters are often shown as sketched silhouettes in the background. NASA headquarters is also depicted simplistically. An author’s note touches briefly on Paul’s Caribbean upbringing. VERDICT This book may strike an interest in collections where books such as I Am Enough by Grace Byers or Black Is a Rainbow Color by Ekua Holmes have done well; it lacks their finesse but has a tremendous underlying message.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-295-5\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 5-8\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e10\u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e x 9\u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePublication date: May 14, 2024\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[\/TABS]\u003c\/p\u003e\n"}

Dear You, Dream Big!

Dear You, Dream Big!

By: Baptiste Paul / Illustrated by: Toni Chambers

ANYTHING and EVERYTHING is possible!

A new classic for black and brown children.

Perhaps you want to become an artist, or a scientist, or maybe even president. Even when--especially when--the path is hard, Dear YOU: Dream BIG.

A personal, poetic, and uplifting affirmation from Caribbean-born author Batpiste Paul encouraging today's Black youth to reject those who wish to silence them, exclude them, and reject their talents with one powerful refrain.

A powerful, lyrical anthem of Black pride celebrating Black creativity, leadership, and innovation that's perfect for fans of All Because You Matter, I Am Every Good Thing, and I Am Enough.

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Baptiste Paul, author

Baptiste Paul is a Caribbean-born children’s book author. He is a native Creole/Patois speaker who enjoys sharing stories about his experiences with anyone who will listen. Baptiste has written many books for young readers, including The Field; To Carnival; and Climb On!; and Peace; Adventures to School; and I Am Farmer with his wife, Miranda Paul. Baptiste’s stories are fueled by his passion for diversity, inclusion, and uninhibited jwe (play). He lives in Wisconsin with his wife and children.

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Toni Chambers, illustrator

Toni Chambers always wanted to be an artist, whether it was as a dancer, actress, or singer, for as long as she could remember. Her passion for reading and storytelling led her to a career as an illustrator. She earned her BFA in illustration at the University of Massachusetts and works on children's book illustration, editorial and commercial art, character design, and story development.

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Children's Literature

This meaningful story follows three children of color as they pursue their passions to become an artist, a leader, and an aerospace engineer despite not having examples of people who look like them experience success in those fields. Throughout the story the anthem of dreaming big is reiterated as the children face adversity and feel as though they are being silenced and having their dreams crushed. Examples of black artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, black politicians Angela Davis and Shirley Chisholm, and black NASA scientist Katherine Johnson are pictured and named, subtly breaking the cycle mentioned throughout the story of lack of black representation in American history. The book encourages following your dreams, dreaming big, and empowers youth, especially of color, to remember that anything is possible. The colorful and impactful illustrations are empowering and represent many different skin tones that are otherwise underrepresented in children’s literature. This book would make a great addition to elementary and early middle school classroom libraries as well as home libraries. It would lend itself nicely to units about self, communities, careers, and cultures around the world.

Watch Baptiste Paul on The Morning Blend on TMJ Channel 4 in Milwuakee.

School Library Journal

Black and brown children are encouraged to stand tall and proud in this second-person narrative. Illustrations show the children at school, facing struggles and learning about important figures in science, politics, and art. Three children study real-world figures, such as Katherine Johnson and Shirley Chisholm. An art classroom has a poster of Jean-Michel Basquiat on the wall, and his crown iconography figures heavily into the fictional character’s aesthetic. The inviting text is both affirming and repetitious, encouraging Black and brown children to persevere. White characters are shown as beneficiaries of systemic discrimination: a blond white boy with a presentation on Lincoln becomes class leader, it’s inferred, and a white teacher speaks to a white student while the Black girl raises her hand, again, inferring neglect. The truth of unfairly amplifying white voices over others is addressed vaguely by the text, but more specifically in the illustrations. These are done with digital crayon and colored pencil and take artistic license with, for example, skewed body proportions and room perspectives. The three protagonists are detailed, while other characters are often shown as sketched silhouettes in the background. NASA headquarters is also depicted simplistically. An author’s note touches briefly on Paul’s Caribbean upbringing. VERDICT This book may strike an interest in collections where books such as I Am Enough by Grace Byers or Black Is a Rainbow Color by Ekua Holmes have done well; it lacks their finesse but has a tremendous underlying message.

Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-62354-295-5

Ages: 5-8
Page count: 32
101/2 x 91/2

Publication date: May 14, 2024