PPBF: Dream

Today I'm delighted to share that one of my childhood dreams - to publish a book - is about to become a reality with the release of 

What's Under Your Cape? SUPERHEROES of the Character Kind, 

expected to ship next week.

My beautiful friend, the talented author Maria Dismondy,

has invited me to share my thoughts about

this writing experience at her blog today!

Click {here} to read it and to sign up for your chance to win one of three signed copies for your collection.

You can also order yours from my blog.

Thank you for sharing in my excitement.

So today's PPBF is about dreaming.

Title: DREAM - A Tale of Wonder, Wisdom & Wishes

Author: Susan V. Bosak

With original illustrations by 15 internationally acclaimed artistsPublisher: TCP Press

Date: October 1, 2004

Suitable for ages: 4 and up (My thoughts? 7 and up)

Themes: dreams, goals, hope

Realistic Fiction

Brief synopsis: Journey page-by-page through this poetic reflection of a life well-lived in which dreams are dreamed and wishes become realities. 

Opening pages: 

I STARTED OUT JUST LIKE YOU. 

Once, long ago when all the stars were born, I was a baby. My favorite color was yellow, the color of the sun that peeked in my window in the morning. 

When you're a baby, you're cuddled and comforted in your own cozy little world. You smile and gurgle and fuss and cry and get fed and need changing and sleep and dream. 

DREAM A DREAM WITH ME.

"We shall not cease from exploration

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time."

~T.S. Elliot

Resources:

Find activities for the book {here}. 
Replicate this Be A Dreamer door decor.
Listen to and discuss the lyrics to the song Dream Big.
Got paper plates and yarn? Make Dream Catchers!
Enjoy Failure's A Myth by the Happy Racers:

Click this bulletin board for a review of the book 
Dream Big. Little Pig by Kristi Yamaguchi.

Why I like this book: This nice compilation of world-renowned illustrators beautifully enhance this poetic piece of realistic fiction about dreaming. We must encourage our students to dream big early and often, all the while sharing our stories of success as well as of failure so that they learn that sometimes we have to alter (or wait on) our dreams, but to never, ever give up.

To dream.

And to dream BIG.

To soar through the sky

by leaps and bounds.

Because dreams do come true.

Use the quotes on each page as inspiration

by discussing them in morning meeting or

using them as reflective journal entry prompts.

Ask students to share their dreams.

List them on an anchor chart labeled Our Dreams.

Invite them to start planning:

What's it going to take to get where you're hoping to go?

What will it be like when you get there?

What will you do once you've realized your dream?

Remind them that the dream starts now.

Be there to cheer them on if their momentum starts to wane.

Encourage them to track their progress.

Comfort their setbacks.

Support their successes.

Then you just might want to step out of their way ...

For today's other PPBF titles, visit Susanna Leonard Hill's blog;

 she's just back from an dreamy school visit and has a fun story to share.