8 Picture Books About Following Your Dreams
by Janssen Bradshaw
Is there anything better than watching someone successfully follow their dreams? As a parent, one of my main goals is to help my children discover their passions and then assist them in following them through to fruition.
I love stories, both real and imagined, that follow people (or in some cases, unicorns!) who pursue their dreams even in the face of adversity. It’s so helpful to use these books as conversation starters with children or students to help them think about what dreams they could pursue and what it would take for them to accomplish those dreams.
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The Almost Impossible Thing
You’ve heard about pigs that fly, but what about a bunny who wants to fly? In this one, a rabbit is told repeatedly that bunnies can’t fly, but she is determined to find a way and teamwork turns out to be the answer to reaching her big, almost impossible dreams.
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Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah
Available from:This beautiful book demonstrates not only that dreams can be achieved despite disabilities but also the power of a parent’s faith in a child. When Emmanuel was born with a deformed leg in West Africa, most of his community dismissed him, but his mother helped him learn to play soccer and ride a bicycle, eventually becoming a powerful advocate for those with disabilities.
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Uni the Unicorn and the Dream Come True
Available from:It’s not all rainbows in the Land of Unicorns — the rain just. won’t. stop. Fortunately, Uni the Unicorn has a special belief in little girls, even though everyone insists they aren’t real, and he is pretty sure that together they can save the Land of Unicorns.
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We’re All Wonders
Available from:This picture book companion to the wildly popular children’s novel Wonder features Auggie and his pup, Daisy, and shows how we all want to belong and be accepted for who we are. Kindness truly is one of the best ways for us to help others follow their dreams.
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How to be a T. Rex
Available from:Being a human? So boring. So average. So Sal wants to be a T. Rex when she grows up. Her brother, of course, is certain this is impossible. But since when has Sal ever been discouraged by impossible?
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Mae Among the Stars
This spectacular biography of Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space, begins with her initial interest in space, followed by her teacher’s suggestion that she find a more realistic dream. But Mae wanted to be among the stars and her parents encouraged her to do just that, matching her dreams with hard work and determination.
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Brontorina
Available from:Brontorina wants to dance. More than she’s ever wanted anything else. But when she’s too big to fit in the dance studio, it looks like all her dreams might be dashed. Can her dreams still come true?
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The Wonderful Things You Will Be
Available from:For every parent who has looked at their tiny baby and seen a world of possibilities, this book is a must-read. Its bold lyrical text and sweet, amusing illustrations give readers a peek at the many things parents imagine for their little offspring.
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What books about pursuing dreams would you recommend for little readers? Let us know in the comments below!