I am not always a fan of the “artistic interpretations” a child could find themselves in. But with Ellie Mae Dreams Big! I am not saying it is my favorite, but it is a book that works well on several levels. It is modern with the idea that if Ellie wants to have an out of this world cheese sandwich restaurant on the moon, she can do that. Or she could teach dance to lions and giraffes or be a painting ballerina (same time). Ellie/You do not have to choose when you are a kid (I would say Ellie is about seven to nine years-old). But whatever you do pick you will be the best at it. Or as Ellie Mae decides for her class assignment, she will be the best ballerina painting lion teaching, cheese sandwich making person she can be (there are a few more things tossed in, but she’ll be the best at all of it regardless).
Kristina McMorris might not have made a classic, but they made one that will stick with your child. Especially as the art of Amanda Yoshida is diverse with Ellie Mae being an Asian child, but it is not an something focused on. The text is okay, we know the story (a little girl with trouble deciding finds the solution to her class assignment), but the art is bouncy and fun. There are colors that pop and details that support the story. It is both familiar and new.
I might not want to purchase copies, but I will be talking about this book to people. Or when I am at parties/events conversation: THEM: What are you reading? ME: Well, I just finished this cute picture book about a girl who wants to be a painting ballerina….
Due January 2024, I read via an online reader copy.
