Dream Big

A story about dreaming the impossible. Each night baboon watches as the other animals wish on a star for their wildest dreams. Caterpillar wishes to fly and then he turns into a butterfly. Tadpole and flamingo each get their dreams too. Baboon realizes that if he believes and wishes upon the star then maybe he will get his wish too. Great illustrations!!

A caterpillar, a tadpole, and a flamingo wish upon a star, regardless of what Baboon has to say about it. Of course those animals eventually morph into something bigger and better, as though proving the falling star’s power.
The rhymes are the best part. “Buffoon of a baboon!” When Tadpole wants to dance, he’s told, “You’ve got no feet to follow the beat!” “Ribbit, ribbit! Dream it, live it!” Baboon is basically the Eeyore of this group, but rather than take the twist you would assume, it develops into something far more meaningful.
For little kids who can’t yet read “The Power of Positive Thinking,” this will do.
Last 3 pages are “notes for two-leggers.”

Love that this book teaches kids to never give up on their dreams and that they can achieve anything that they set their heart to do

First off, the illustrations are wonderful. So colorful and vibrant. The story matches. I like the back matter of the book as well.

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The stunning visuals spoke to my soon to be 5 year old. She recognized the caterpillar which I didnt. Many animals wish upon their star and find their dream come true with their belief. Powerful images. Rich, Vibrant colors.

Great story that teaches kids that they can be anything they want to be and also that when you are mean it can be hurtful to others. Beautiful pictures as well.

"We're all full of possibility." A gorgeously illustrated children's book about never giving up on your dreams. Baboon mocks those who have big dreams. When he sees the dreams of Caterpillar, Tadpole, and Flamingo come true, he realizes he has some big dreams of his own. This book also shows the importance of being supportive of others. There are some fun interactive elements at the end, including instructions for a few craft projects.

From the cover to the last page, this book will delight any small child. Set in Africa, the illustrations are bright, amazingly drawn, and will capture any little’s imagination. The story unfolds in messages sent to the animals thru the stars. Make sure to also check out Love Big. Both oh these books will surely be read again and again.

The illustrations are beautiful and the story has a great message. My 5 year old loved reading it.

This book is so cute!

The illustrations are simply gorgeous, rich & full of color and with an art style that is very fitting for the accompanying story. The creatures depicted are realistic, but with a certain whimsy that feels very true to the setting of before a caterpillar could turn into a butterfly, for instance.

The story itself is also wonderful, with a baboon that keeps discouraging various creatures from believing that their dreams can come true, before he, himself, gets inspired to have DREAM BIG. As mentioned, a caterpillar wishes to fly, then becomes sad at the idea that its dream could never come true and hides itself in a cocoon, then awakens as a beautiful butterfly. There is also a tadpole and a termite, among a few others.

The only thing that really kept this from being 5 stars for me was that some of the sounds and rhymes seemed a little off, including the celebration song at the end being a version of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. That's more personal preference, but just something that didn't quite work for me or my son (4.5).

"Dream Big" is an extraordinary children's book that successfully transports the reader, young and old, to the magical time when life was forming and changing "in the wilds of East Africa, when the savannas were new." In the hot orange of the daytime, to the music of cynical Baboon's drum beat, Caterpillar longs to fly, Tadpole longs to dance, Flamingo longs to be beautiful, and Termite longs for a home. Cynical Baboon laughs and sneers at them, until, during the cool blue of the evening,"Whoosh Wham You Can Be Anything" flies across the night sky, and Caterpillar grows wings to fly and becomes Butterfly, Tadpole grows legs to dance and becomes Frog, Flamingo turns pink and becomes Beautiful, and Termite creates a home filled with friends and family.

I fell in love with the incredible illustrations first, then I fell in love with the poetry of the story. If you haven't guessed already, I love this book and I wish I could give it more than five stars.

Set in Africa this was a colorful, fun, and inspirational book which encourages children that if they truly believe in their dreams and don't let negative people stop them, they will get their wish, like the caterpillar who wanted to fly, and the tadpole who wanted to hop and jump, and dance, and the flamingo who wanted colorful feathers.

Even the nay-saying baboon is forced to accept that he can dream big for his wish and it will come true. I liked the story for the colorful and entertaining artwork by Stephanie Dehennin, the fun characters, and the positive message.

I loved the illustrations so much that they were distracting from the story. which was quite inspirational. Kids will enjoy it.

Dream Big, is a bedtime-esq children’s story book.

Moody Buffoon is always grumpy and tries to quash the other animals dreams. First, he tells Caterpillar, who dreams of being able to fly, that he won’t be able to with all of his feet clinging on to the tree.

Next, when Tadpole dreams of dancing, Buffoon tells him that he’s got no chance as he has no feet to follow a beat. He then tells Flamingo that she is too ordinary, when Flamingo tells him that she dreams of being beautiful.

When one by one the animals dreams come true, Buffoon is left flabbergasted and looking a bit silly. He’s also a little envious and makes a dream of his own, but will his own dream come true?

The book is all about teaching children to believe in themselves and to dream big, as you never know, your dreams may just come true. It also teaches them not to listen to those who try to make fun of your dreams.

The book is extremely colourful throughout, which is aesthetically pleasing, but with the full page being brightly coloured, sometimes the writing merged into the background, and I couldn’t quite make out the text without looking at it really closely.

At the back of the book, the author has also included a resources section, which is helpful for parents and teachers. This is a sweet children’s book, with a powerful message.

Dream Big by Kat Kronenberg is a wonderful story. It has an important message, never giving up on your dreams and believe in yourself, this is a message I believe every kid should get the chance to learn. And that book does just that with cute illustrations and bright colors! NetGalley Review

(My review will be going up on my blog within the next few days!)

Dream Big (Hardcover)
by Kat Kronenberg

Wow what an inspirational book. I am amazed at the beautiful Artistry and the story will inspire the most reluctant child. The Caterpillar who longs to fly. The Tadpole who longs to dance. The Baboon who longs to be the life of the party. The Termite who longs for a family. All those who believe will achieve their dreams. It is a great inspiring story for young children.

What a great gift to give kids - A chance to belief in themselves and their dreams,, and a way to open their lives to each other and the power of "Something Bigger".
A classic timeless story for all ages, and a fun way to build community in families, schools, or churches with all the great things on The Fun & Learn page from the website!

Vibrant pictures with a good theme of not giving up your dreams. But it would have been better if the dreams are dreams and not natural changes

When you have a 7 year to entertain for a few hours I grab a book or two I found this cute little read on the the read now thread and I snatched it up. My niece loved all the picture and she seemed to enjoy the story! She is asking for more.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this cute little read for an honest review.

I received a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Baboon is moody and puts everyone down when they wish for something but is then astonished when they get their hearts desire because they dreamed and never gave up on their dream.
This is a bright and vibrant, beautifully illustrated book that encourages children to not let others drag them down and always believe and have fair in themselves.
The back of the book has some great ideas to try with your child too.

This was another cute book in the series. My almost 7-year old enjoyed reading it to herself, and I heard her giggle several times. We also love the pretty covers of these books.

Long ago, when the savannas were new in the wilds of East Africa, Caterpillar looked up at the night sky and wished upon a star; he wanted to fly. Tadpole looked up at the night sky and wished upon a star; he wanted to dance. Flamingo looked up at the night sky and wished upon a star; she wanted to be beautiful.

Baboon doesn’t believe their fantastic dreams can come true, but Caterpillar turns into a butterfly, tadpole grows feet so he can dance, and Flamingo turns into a beautiful pink bird. Baboon watches this and wishes to celebrate everyone’s dream coming true while encouraging others. He gets a chance to do just that when Termite becomes so afraid that she hides. Baboon, Caterpillar, Tadpole, and Flamingo write a special song for Termite, who then builds a beautiful castle. With everyone happy, the animals celebrate with drums and pom-poms.

This mythological fable, the first in a series, reveals the secret moody Baboon discovers. A footnote provides a brief fact about each of the animals as the young reader meets each of them. The story tells young readers to believe in themselves, to dream their biggest dreams and to believe they can come true. It reminds them to celebrate their lives. Because they are made of star-stuff, they are extraordinary. A positive lesson in self-esteem, young readers are sure to read this story over and over again.

Recommended.

Dream Big by Kat Kronenberg is the first in her Live Big Trilogy. The story is uplifting, about not giving up on your dream in the face of adversity (especially someone telling you you can't). The illustrations are rich and vibrant, and bring out the warmth and energy of the book. I enjoy the twist at the end, as well. Overall, a story to warm your heart and encourage your dreams!

Dream Big is the first of three inspirational children's picture books. As soon as I opened this book on my Kindle, I wished I was holding the book in my hands. While the pictures are nice on ebook, it's obvious they are beautiful and vibrant on actual paper. I've no doubt children's attention will be riveted to the pictures as they or their parents read them this story. Dream Big encourages children to do just that - reach for the stars and dare to dream big - pursue your dreams and just maybe they'll come true. The author's message is delivered through Baboon who is skeptical as he watches a caterpillar, tadpole, and young flamingo wish upon the stars . . . and their wishes come true. Imagine his surprise! Believe in yourself and reach for the stars! It's a lesson we should all adher to. This book is beautiful to look at and beautiful to read. I've no doubt children everywhere will love it!

Great story. Beautiful artwork. A little long, could have been shortened. Font could be a bit bigger.

Given this copy from NetGalley in return for honest review

A great book with a great message, it was definitly 6 year old approved as well. The illistrations are beautiful and I love that there are facts interspered the story. I also love that the end has activities and things to share with your children to keep the story going. I appreciate this especially since we are all stay at home moms right now!

This book is illustrated with such beautiful scenery and has a lovely message. We should all remember that stardust is everywhere and in all of us! There are some fun, inspiring, activities for children at the end of the book.

3.5-4 stars

I rounded up because I think the illustrations are bright and cheerful and really quite beautiful. And overall, the story is great because it has a very positive message of dreaming big and not giving up on your dreams. There is even a section at the end to do a dream board together with your child. That said, I think some of the message is confusing because the first three creatures who achieved their dreams did so because of their biology and not because of anything they really did. Although one could argue that because they didn't give up, they allowed the changes to take place, but I think that's a bit muddled. But then baboon took their changes as a sign that perhaps he could change and that was more about him decided to do so and then working with his friend to achieve that dream. So that was a bit more on the mark. And finally, he sought out the termite and encouraged her to build a hill and find some friends and family to fill it and through hard work, that was achieved. So it starts out a bit more confusing, but I do like the way it ends. And as I said, the illustrations were wonderful. However, because the message is not completely clear, it's possible some kids will just not get it.

Thanks to #KatKronenberg and #NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The beautiful, detailed illustrations will definitely capture the attention of young readers ages 3 to 10. The message contained within the pictures is huge and will need an adult to help children, especially the younger ones, understand. I love the additional activities at the end of the book.

This is a children's picture book that I got through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book.. Both the story and the illustrations are great. It ha such a great moral, too. I wish this book was around when my son was a little boy. He would have loved it!

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The illustrations in this text are vivid and vibrant, and will be instantly engaging to the reader. This book isn't just about dreaming, big, it's about dreaming the seemingly impossible. Animals dream of incredible transformations that seem well beyond their grasp, but which come true. Some readers may find it provides children a little bit of false hope, but I think it opens the door more for some science connections, than it does lead them astray.

This story is so much fun and so inspiring at the same time.
I love how each creature gets reminded that their dreams can come true and that the only one holding them back was themselves for a lack of trying. It is a hopeful story and one that I bet has some great illustrations! Many thanks to #netgalleybooks for allowing me to read this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
I truly enjoyed this and would love to see the full published edition.
On my grandkid's tbr it goes!

I reviewed the book with my son. I could see the enjoyment in his eyes. The design is marvelous. Idea and wording is great. I am sure will be a great sell.

I requested and received an e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the illustrations in this book, they are so vibrant and beautiful. This book has a great message for kids about believing in yourself and your dreams, even when others say they are impossible. I like that Kat Kronenberg puts little information tidbits about the animals at the bottom of the page, and I love the 'Notes for two-leggers of all ages' at the end of the book.

I lyrically told children's story about how you should dream. Just because you can't do something now doesn't mean you won't someday become someone who can. A caterpillar can fly. A tadpole can jump. Eventually.

I love that this is told in a fairytale/poetic way but includes facts about animals for children. I think my upper elementary kids will enjoy just reading it but I can see this as a read aloud and instructional book for primary children, as well.

For the teachers in me, I loved the instructions at the back of the book to create and extend the learning.

I wish I could be back in my classroom and share.

I only wish I could have seen the illustrations! Alas, this ARC had me creating my own.

Bright, positive message paired with the bright, colourful illustrations.

'Dream Big' by Kat Kronenberg is set in the African savannah long, long ago. It is part biology/ scientifically-based, part creation story and part wishing-upon-a-story Disney story. This latter, wishing upon your star is a little derivative therefore.

Beautifully illustrated by Stephanie Dehennin, 'Dream Big' tells the story of the metamorphosis of a caterpillar, tadpole and flamingo. In each case, it is supposed to be the first of the species that sets off this magical, inspirational makeover. Inspired by their transformations, moody baboon and lonely termite also wish upon their respective stars to become better versions of themselves. The animals flock to baboon's party and the termite stuck alone underground builds a magnificent earthen castle for many termites to share.

The 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star' song doesn't rhyme and misses some of the rhythm of the original. The text lacks some rhythm too.

However, who can knock a positive story for young children! Not this reviewer. the bright, positive message paired with the bright, colourful illustrations make this a wonderful picture book for under-5s. I recommend it.

Thank you to Greenleaf Book Group Press, Netgalley and Kat Kronenberg for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Filled with beautiful artwork, this book teaches children at metamorphoses of some animals and well as giving an uplifting message of hope to believe in your dreams.

This is a fun book with the little song and finding ways to look at things positively. I really liked the illustrations. I think this will be a fun book for families to read together.

This story is set in the African forest where the characters are all different wild life animals. There are lots of new words to learn and new names of animals to learn, which was really fun for my daughter. The book is filled with sounding words which makes it an exciting read. Each story had a song that rhymed with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star that is easy to follow and sing along with. That also added to the making the book a fun read.

Dream Big teaches children that if you really wish for something - and believe that you can receive it - then it will come true.

I received an advanced reader copy of Dream Big through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Dream Big is a book of not letting where you are right now determine what you could become. I loved how Baboon learned through each of the animals that were transformed, and the ending is fantastic. Fun read for kids and parents.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Cute story, beautifully illustrated with a great message but the English on it was horrible! I ended up paraphrasing most of it as the original prose just confused my kids (3 and 5). The Twinkle Twinkle poem was nice. I would recommend but wouldnt buy it.

I adored the bright illustrations in this book! This story imparts a positive message about believing in yourself and encouraging others in a positive way. It was told in a way that children can connect to. My children and I enjoyed the little snippets of animal facts throughout the story.

Great story about hope, dreams, love, celebration, forgiveness, and persevering. Includes fun activities at the end of the book and instructions on how you can wish upon your own star. The illustrations throughout the book are absolutely beautiful! Very appealing and relevant to children, highly recommended!