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.





10 comments

  1. Lovely choice today. It's so important to encourage kids to dream. Imagination is also key. I liked your suggestions for activities.

    Congratulations on the release of your upcoming book. Checked out the blog-hop today. I'm so happy you're sharing you know in a much larger way. Happy sales!

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    1. Thank you, Pat! This really is a gem. I appreciate your kind words on Maria's blog; it's still so unreal to think of myself as an author.

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  2. Yay! A book for Ms Gruener! I like that cover! And the Dream book sounds pretty awesome as well! Lots of good stuff here today -- as always! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. I hope that you can come to see me in August when I'm up there with my books ... I'll bring one for you, Rhythm, and your mom person!

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  3. I love your suggestion to make dream catchers. Great activity to pair with the book!

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    1. Thank you, Cathy, for stopping by the Corner and leaving your kind affirmations. The dream catcher was actually an after-thought but it totally works!

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  4. Big congratulations on your upcoming book birthday! That is wonderful. I like the question about what will you do once you realize your dream. A good reminder that life isn't a destination, it's a continuing journey.

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    1. Thanks, Wendy. I'm hoping my book birthday will be June 1st, my 53rd birthday, but it's not likely since that's a Sunday this year. In a weird way, it feels like I'm about to have another baby ... at once exciting and scary!

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  5. Oh, wow, Barbara! Congratulations on your book! SO exciting - yay! :) And I love your pick for today - it looks wonderful!

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    1. Thank you Susanna. Let me know if you want me to send you a copy and/or host a giveaway on your blog. Even though it's not a Picture Book itself, there are a lot of story-stretcher enrichment ideas in this character-development resource.

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I really enjoy hearing from my readers; thanks for sharing your reflections with us!