Review by Booklist Review
During career week at Nigel's school, he cannot find any information about Black, male dancers. His father always says, "Dream big," so each night Nigel whispers to the moon about how he wants to be an astronaut, a ballet dancer, and a superhero if needed. At school, however, he is embarrassed to share his thoughts. Nigel's mother is a postal carrier, and his dad drives a truck. They are loving parents, but Nigel thinks the other children will laugh at what they do. Glowing ink, gouache, and watercolor illustrations present deep blue spreads with a shining moon, in which Nigel flies through the night sky, sitting on and talking to the moon. In class, though, he remains shy and quiet. One image depicts Nigel staring out at the reader, turned away from his classmates, his face asking for rescue. When his parents show up unexpectedly to talk about their careers, he fears the worst, but the class is mesmerized by their wonderful stories, finally giving Nigel the confidence to tell the world his dreams.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this expansive exploration of childhood hope, a Black boy named Nigel shares his aspirations--to be an astronaut, a dancer, a superhero--with the moon each night but struggles with whether to share his closely held wishes Earth-side. During his class's career week, he can't find a ballerino who resembles him in any of the library's books, and when he shadows his postal carrier mother "house after house, block after block," the moon feels far away. Worried that he's wishing for too much, and aware that his parents "don't have fancy jobs" like those of his largely pink-skinned classmates' parents, Nigel avoids offering up his hopes publicly. But when his folks stop by to speak about their professions, delighting his classmates and mentioning "the best job we've ever had," Nigel finds courage to move beyond comparison. Hitting notes of hope, fear, love, and pride while subtly tackling themes of class, gender expectations, and race, Eady's debut is matched beat for layered beat by Zhang's (Lala's Words) fluid ink, gouache, and watercolor illustrations, which depict Nigel as small but trusting against a looming, ponderous moon. A loving exhortation to "Dream big... And be proud of who you are." Ages 4--8. Author's agent: Penny Moore, Aevitas Creative. Illustrator's agent: Hannah Mann, Writers House. (Feb.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 3--Nigel shares his dreams with the moon: to be an astronaut, a dancer, and a superhero. In the harsh light of day, Nigel shrinks into himself. During career week, he is too afraid of his classmates' reactions to share his aspirations or the fact that his parents do not have "fancy jobs." Nigel's parents are the true superheroes of this story. They are entirely accepting and supportive of Nigel and his dreams. Speaking to his class, they highlight the value of their jobs, but also proclaim parenting Nigel to be "the best job we've ever had." This unwavering public support finally gives Nigel the courage to share his true self. This story radiates a quiet power. Poetic language paired with bold brushstrokes and saturated colors reveals the magic of the night sky. The juxtaposition of the prosaic daytime scenes, often set against a stark white background, exemplifies the difference between Nigel's nighttime and daytime selves. Nigel is the only child with dark brown skin in his class. While a connection between his race and his anxious isolation is never made explicit in the text, the illustrations suggest a link. Nigel is frustrated that "a dancer like him cannot be found," while looking at a library book featuring one of Degas's dancers, his arm across the page a contrast to the dancer's pale form. The true beauty of this book is the potential breadth of connection. Nigel's worried face by day and his freedom by night will allow numerous readers to empathize and connect their own varied experiences of anxiety and ostracization. Caretakers should be inspired by the recognition that nothing is more empowering to children than loving adults telling them to "dream big" and "be proud of who you are." VERDICT This stirring tale of self-acceptance and parental support is recommended for first purchase.--Elizabeth Lovsin, Deerfield P. L., IL
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Nigel, a brown-skinned young boy, peers out of his bedroom window and shares his dreams with the moon. His desire is to become an astronaut, a dancer, and a superhero. With the moon, "his dreams are safe." During career week at school, his class goes to the library to read about various occupations, but Nigel does not find any books with dancers who look like him. When his classmates share their vocational aspirations, Nigel feels shy to admit that he wants to be a superhero. That night, he confesses his fear to the moon: "What if I wish to be too many things?" When his teacher asks the class to share what their parents do for a living, Nigel is ashamed to speak up since his parents "don't have fancy jobs." So, he is stunned when his parents make a surprise visit to his class to speak about their careers and prove to be a big hit with the students. Relieved and proud, Nigel finally gains the courage to share his dreams with his classmates. Zhang's ink, gouache, and watercolor illustrations are charming and thoughtful, effectively capturing both Nigel's anxieties and his fanciful inner world. However, readers may notice tokenism at play since Nigel and his parents are the only brown-skinned characters in the book. A poignant story designed to help young readers feel good about themselves and where they come from. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
