When you dream big!

Via heartfelt signature-style cartoons, Reynolds emphasizes mindfully moving forward over knowing exactly what's next. During a classroom craft for "Dream Big" week at school, Charley struggles to answer the prompt "Where will your wings take you?" When other students share ambitious career-oriented goals, Charley balks, and despair sets in on the walk home until Charley's feet provoke a revelation ("Ten toes--all pointing in the right direction"). The next day in class, wiggling her toes reminds her to be brave as she shares "I don't exactly know WHAT I want to be when I grow up... but I do know what KIND of person I want to be." Following suit, peers begin to offer their own character-trait-based hopes, modeling an easily emulated approach. Loose, thick-lined-outlining spotlights the protagonist and her classmates, portrayed with various abilities and skin tones; white backdrops with muted shading aptly melt into sunnier coloring to signal Charley's emergent confidence. Ages 4--8. (Mar.)

A student discovers a newfound confidence when she reframes her dreams of the future. "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Miss Rayna gives Charley and her classmates a daunting prompt as part of Dream Big Week. "I want to be an astronaut!" "I'm going to be a famous actor!" "I'm going to be an engineer!" Students excitedly spout off goals, inscribing their dreams on a pair of custom wings that Miss Rayna hands out. Charley doesn't share her peers' enthusiasm--she has no idea how to answer such a big question. As Charley's anxiety swells, Reynolds uses color, tone, and perspective to show just how overwhelmed she feels; one particularly strong illustration depicts a rocket blasting off, reflected in her large round glasses, a look of dizzying panic on her face. Walking home, Charley feels frozen with uncertainty when she notices something that points her in the right direction--and has her feeling determined, confident, and ready for her wings. Reynolds conveys a message of perseverance, reassuring readers that it's OK not to have all the answers. His airy, inspiring illustrations burst with warm orange tones. The story is sure to spark similar activities or dialogue among classrooms participating in their own Dream Big Week--type celebration. Charley is tan-skinned; her class is diverse. A rousing story to kickstart conversations about growth and determination. (author's note)(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.