Follow Your Dreams, Little One

Follow Your Dreams, Little One showcases 18 Black women who achieved success in fields ranging from science to sports to the arts. Each spread features a dreamlike illustration of the featured woman as a child, paired with simple text about their accomplishments. The book presents figures both historical and contemporary, including mathematician Katherine Johnson, athlete Simone Biles, and filmmaker Julie Dash. The illustrations depict these pioneering women with closed eyes and peaceful expressions, connecting their childhood dreams to their adult achievements. This board book speaks to universal themes of aspiration and persistence while highlighting specific Black women who broke barriers. The format makes complex stories and achievements accessible to very young children while offering inspiration to readers of all backgrounds.

Readers call this board book inspiring and accessible for babies and toddlers, with many noting their children request repeated readings. Parents appreciate the diverse representation and simple, encouraging messages about following passions. The illustrations receive frequent mentions for being both soothing and engaging for young audiences. Likes: - Clear, concise text for young attention spans - Inclusive artwork showing children of different backgrounds - Durable board book construction - Works well for bedtime reading Dislikes: - Some found the message too abstract for babies - A few mentioned wanting more detailed stories about each dream/career Ratings: Amazon: 4.9/5 (2,800+ reviews) Goodreads: 4.5/5 (1,400+ ratings) "Perfect first introduction to dreaming big," writes one Amazon reviewer. "The art style keeps my 8-month-old captivated," notes another. A Goodreads reviewer adds: "Simple enough for toddlers but carries a meaningful message they'll grow into."

Dream Big, Little Scientists by ::::Michelle Schaub:.::: The book features children imagining themselves as scientists in different fields while celebrating their potential.

Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed Based on astronaut Mae Jemison's childhood, this story follows a young girl's path to becoming the first African American woman in space.

I Am Enough by Grace Byers The text empowers children through representations of diverse girls embracing their identities and capabilities.

Parker Looks Up by ::::Parker Curry and Jessica Curry:.::: A true story captures a young girl's reaction to Michelle Obama's portrait at the National Portrait Gallery and its impact on her dreams.

Think Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison The book introduces young readers to women creators, pioneers, and leaders throughout history who changed the world.

✧ Vashti Harrison originally started her career as a filmmaker and cinematographer before becoming a children's book author and illustrator ✧ The book features 18 trailblazing Black men and women, including Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, the revolutionary artist ✧ Harrison's signature illustration style features characters with closed eyes, which she developed to make her subjects appear peaceful and dreaming ✧ The book is part of a series that includes "Dream Big, Little One" and "Think Big, Little One," all celebrating diverse role models for young readers ✧ Many of the historical figures featured in the book broke multiple barriers - for example, Shirley Chisholm was both the first African American woman elected to Congress and the first Black candidate to seek a major party's nomination for U.S. president