Nothing is impossible—not even being brave enough to ice skate again after a fall! With a poetic text and dazzling illustrations, Come Catch a Dream will appeal to every child chasing their dream, and fans of The Snowy Day, Jabari Jumps, and After the Fall.
A young Black child passes an ice rink every day walking home with Momma. Last year, the rink was tricky. It looked clear and smooth, but felt rough and rude after a fall. Brrr! Ouch! Even so, the child hasn’t been able to stop thinking about that rink. The young skater is determined to do something for the first time: a spin on the ice. Because, as Momma says, nothing is impossible.
Award-winning author Brittany J. Thurman’s rich use of language and rhythm makes for a text that is perfect for reading aloud, while illustrator Islenia Mil’s vibrant artwork captures the anticipation and excitement of a winter day at the ice rink. For fans of Gaia Cornwall and Dan Santat. ---from the publisher
40 pages 978-0063140806 Ages 4-8
Keywords: ice skating, dreams, trying new things, trying again, success and failure, believing in yourself, African American and Black stories, African American author, diverse books, self reliance, self confidence, understanding yourself, 4 year old, 5 year old, 6 year old, 7 year old, 8 year old
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There is something really magical about Brittany J. Thurman's books for our children. She really knows how to bring us into the world of a child and gives us the chance to step into their shoes for a moment or two to experience their feelings and their challenges and triumphs.
She did it in FLY and she has done it again with COME CATCH A DREAM. You know, I think we've all read a book or two about trying something new and being willing to take a chance on ourselves that we can do it. This book comes at that idea with a different experience of trying. This one has us all taking a look at something we tried before and when we did try, we did not succeed. It was not fun. It was hard and it was not good for our sense of self. You know what I mean? So, why would you ever want to try that again?
That's where Brittany J. Thurman shows up to save our day. Through our heroine we watch and see how we really can go back to try again. We don't have to give up a dream we hold for ourselves even if we don't succeed at first.
What a great lesson for our children. What a great lesson for all of us. Maybe you do have what it takes this time. Don't give up on yourself and don't give up on your dreams without really giving it all you have. You just might create an amazing life for yourself.
Recommended by: Barb Langridge, abookandahug.com
