Dream Big (Olivia)

When my children were young, I looked in vain for children's books that contained inspirational aphorisms. I wanted to find such books because brief quotes by important historical figures had always played a big role in my life.

I was thrilled to find that Ian Falconer had taken some of his prior drawings of Olivia and selected appropriate inspirational quotes around the theme of "Dream Big." Naturally, there's irony here . . . beginning with the fact that the book is in a very small format, like that of gift books.

Although the book's page size is small, there are thirty quotes and matching images. I thought that the illustrations and quotes were well matched . . . often providing adult humor as well as kiddy laughs. In fact, you'll probably find yourself having an opportunity to explain a few of these quote and illustration combinations (a great chance for bonding with a child) such as "You don't get harmony when everybody sings the same note" with a Olivia singing by herself and "Dreams say what they mean, but they don't say it in daytime language" with Olivia dreaming of singing on stage in a red gown. Some of the illustrations also make for good fun, being puns on the quote.

Please realize that there is no story to connect the quotes . . . this book is inspirational rather than story-telling.

Dream Big with Olivia!

My daughter recieved this book as a high school graduation gift. She loved it, I loved, we all loved it....so much that we have given copies of the book for graduation gifts. Not a story...simply an inspirational book with quotes from famous people that build character and challenge readers to follow their dreams.

What a wonderful treat to give a child. Great sayings. Fun illustrations. Short so it makes reading it to a young child ok; interesting enough for an older child to read herself. I would give this again and again.

This was such a wonderfully inspiring little book that I bought for all of my son's teachers. I am a teacher myself, and bought one for my co-workers, as well. Some are using the book in classrooms for writing prompts and other activities!

I recognized a lot of the authors and famous people. The sentences that they said were very inspiring. I love my book!