Dare to Dream Big jumps on the bandwagon of picture books designed to empower and imbue confidence in young children. Gutierrez skillfully uses rhyme to sweeten a stream of otherwise bland platitudes. For example, she writes, "Dare to reach out and take a chance. / Dare to sing, dare to dance." She also writes "Dare to be who you truly are. / A light in the dark. Be you . . . a star!" The illustrations are tremendously appealing, showing a diverse group of young kids (though none with visible differences in ability) having fun. The joyful artwork shows the children dancing, observing the world, dreaming, crafting a protest sign, dressing up, and clearly enjoying each other's company. Some of the pictures tell a vague but ongoing story about appreciating and protecting the environment. Oddly, there are a few blank starry pages at the end of the book, whose use any unclear. Overall, this upbeat book would fit well into a preschool classroom or library collection.

This picture book poem expressed through rhyme invites children to explore and fully embody their personalities: -Dare to dream,/ Dare to fly higher.- Gutierrez urges readers to express daring as various opportunities present themselves. In one spread, readers are encouraged to -Dare to reach out/ and take a chance- (one child reaches a hand out to another); in another, -Dare to be your own best friend,- a young person enjoys alone time casting shadow puppets on a wall. Noakes employs a loose, inky line and washes of watercolor to create playful scenes, featuring children of varying skin tones diverting themselves in shouts and whispers: bending to a rogue sidewalk flower, marching for a cause, and stargazing. A concise and rhythmic provocation to dreaming and daring. Ages 4-up. (Jan.)

K-Gr 2 An inspirational title that challenges kids to be all they can be. In each spread Gutierrez dares readers to dream, do what hasn't been done, see when others don't, reach out, sing, be your own best friend, enjoy a silent night, etc. The rhythmic, poetic text begs to be read aloud. "Dare to be who you truly are. A light in the dark. Be youa star!" The ink and watercolor illustrations are sketchbook loose without sacrificing expressions, individuality, and important details while orange, yellows, greens, blues, and purples abound without overtaking. In the diverse cast of characters one child is wearing a hearing aid, which is not often shown in picture books. VERDICT A call to all children (and adults) to dare to be their best selves featuring an array of characters and perfect text for reading aloud. A solid general purchase.Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH