PPBF: When You Dream Big!

I've always loved taking pictures of sleeping,

doesn't Everly look so comfy as she rests?

Who doesn't love a good cat nap reset ...

and a sweet segue into a PPBF.

Title: When You Dream Big!

Author & Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds

Publisher: Orchard Books

Birth date: March 3, 2026

Suitable for: ages 4-8

Themes: dreams, goals, careers

Brief synopsis: Charley's friends all seem to know what they're going to be when they grow up, but Charley? She has no idea ... at first.

Opening page:

"Who's ready to dream big?" Miss Rayna was as excited as her students about DREAM BIG week! "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

Resources: Listen in to an author preview {here}.

Enjoy a read-aloud with Mrs. Y {here}.

Take in a review from YA Books Central {here}.

Dig into the author's Activity Guide {here}.

Compare and contrast with Who Will I Be?.

Download the song Big Big Dreams and sing along!

Here are some Kindergarten kiddos singing that song.

Why I like this book: I mean, I haven't treated myself to a Peter H. Reynolds book that I haven't loved. Ever. They are simple and simply powerful. He draws his characters' emotions so perfectly as he draws us in to the everyday dilemmas his books bring to life. Who among us hasn't met Charley? Taught her? Parented her? Or been her?

And I love the nuance between a dream

during sleep and a dream as in a life's goal.

Lately, my dreams have been all over the place, with pretty much the same theme. I have to take a big test but I haven't been going to class, didn't prepare at all, and then the inevitable, but why do I have to even take this test? I've already graduated and have my degree. Ugh.

Invite your kids to share their dreams,

either their sleepy-time ones, or the ones

that have to do with a vocation.

Be prepared for some fun answers.

At Kindergarten graduation, Joshua's teacher announced

that his dream was to work at McDonalds one day. Sigh.

Use it as a springboard for a Dream Big Day;

start planning now for next year's event.

Whom will you invite to attend?

What activities will you plan?

How will you advertise?

Check out Peter H Reynolds' dreamy newcomer, then head