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Giant Steps to Change the World
"On some days your dreams may seem too away far to realize… Listen to the whispers of those that came before..." Following the success of their much beloved picture books, Please, Baby, Please and Please, Puppy, Please; Academy Award nominated director Spike Lee, and his talented wife Tonya Lewis Lee offer up an inspirational picture book about activism and taking the big...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
January 4th 2011
by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
(first published 2011)
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Even in my hobbled condition, I had to come downstairs to start my review of this book after finishing it with Gracie. I loved it! Essentially, the inside covers have various quotes from inspirational figures then the book's message uses these people's accomplishments to encourage your child to take "giant steps." My favorite page was about fear.
What I'll never forget is the conversation I had with Gracie during and following our reading. Halfway through, Gracie turns to me and says, "Mom, this...more
What I'll never forget is the conversation I had with Gracie during and following our reading. Halfway through, Gracie turns to me and says, "Mom, this...more
I hate rating down books like this because it makes me look like a total grump who doesn't believe in inspiring children to be their best. But I'm not sure who this book is for. If it's for young children, the language is a little clunky ("like the Olympic athlete who won the gold even though he had been relegated to second-class status by the very country he was representing"). If it's for older children, why not give us more information? The inspirational figures are never named in the text of...more
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Spotlighting heroes from the past and present, this book discusses the fact that in order to achieve anything at all, you have to be brave enough to take that first step. The message is very inspiring and powerful ...but you have to pass through obstacles to get to it. Obstacles like the fact that it lacks fluidity and that the vocabulary might be hard for kids to grasp. Or that it is way too vague...there is no reference to who the hero being spotlighted even is. Nor is there extra information...more
"On some days your dreams may seem too far away to realize. Listen to the whispers of those that came before, those who had hard days but dared to make their dreams come true."
An inspiring book speaking to hopes and dreams of those who were brave enough to "make their dreams come true." A great teacher read aloud. I do not think students will be especially drawn to this book on their own. The cover illustration is engaging enough, but the pictures inside are quite abstract and I do not think my...more
An inspiring book speaking to hopes and dreams of those who were brave enough to "make their dreams come true." A great teacher read aloud. I do not think students will be especially drawn to this book on their own. The cover illustration is engaging enough, but the pictures inside are quite abstract and I do not think my...more
Grade/Interest Level: 3-6
Lexile Level: AD870L
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Main Characters: DNA
Setting: various locations
POV: Third person
Spike Lee and his wife created an inspiring picture book that can inspire kids of all ages. The book explains how it takes one step at a time to have a powerful impact on the world like a number of people throughout history like Langston Hughes, Mother Theresa, Jesse Owens, Einstein and President Barack Obama. It explains to children that there will be...more
Lexile Level: AD870L
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Main Characters: DNA
Setting: various locations
POV: Third person
Spike Lee and his wife created an inspiring picture book that can inspire kids of all ages. The book explains how it takes one step at a time to have a powerful impact on the world like a number of people throughout history like Langston Hughes, Mother Theresa, Jesse Owens, Einstein and President Barack Obama. It explains to children that there will be...more
Sean Qualls is just terrific, probably one of the most underrated illustrators of children's books today. His work here is just as good as always, with bold colors and lovely textures in every spread. There is really so much going on in each and every one of his illustrations here, and it really is dynamite work. I found the spread depicting Harriet Tubman especially impressive - with just black and white Qualls conveys so very much.
The weakness here, sadly, is the text provided by the Lees. I l...more
The weakness here, sadly, is the text provided by the Lees. I l...more
This is a beautifully illustrated book and I love the idea of inspiring children to take 'giant steps to change the world.' But the idea just doesn't add up to a book that quite works. The inspirational figures are never named in the book; each individual has a quote on the inside covers but there is no additional biographical information. The paintings are bright and vivid, capturing the feeling and emotion of each situation I especially liked the page about facing fear.
There are better books...more
There are better books...more
This was suggested in a Choice Literacy article about Good books to launch the school year. It would be fun to read with older students and see if they could identify each of the giant steppers described and listed below. I'd buy this book just for the endpapers which have quotations from them: Jesse Owens, Harriet Tubman, Marva Collins, Muhammad Ali, Ben Carson, Mother Teresa, Albert Einstein, Tuskegee Airmen, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Barack Obama, and Neil Armstrong.
This also might make a nice e...more
This also might make a nice e...more
This is a book filled with inspiring people that show children that everyone has the ability to be a hero. The book contains examples of people who stood up for others, worked with a passion and vision, honored deep values, and led the world to a new place. Among the heroes on the pages are Langston Hughes, Harriet Tubman, Mother Teresa, and Neil Armstrong. It is a great mix of male and female and different races. The heroes will inspire young readers to take that first step to follow in the gia...more
This is one of my favorite books to grab when I want to inspire my kids to try something that may scare them. It wonderfully uses real people to inspire kids to become heros in their own right. I love the diversity in the heros chosen... they are artists, humanitarians, artists... and so many more.
My son got it for a graduation present when he graduated from preschool and it has since become a favorite book to grab when he needs a little help getting through hard situations.
My son got it for a graduation present when he graduated from preschool and it has since become a favorite book to grab when he needs a little help getting through hard situations.
Beautiful illustrations makes this book at least a "3" but the story, while inspiring, leaves much to be desired. The biggest fault is the lack of connection between the quotes inside the book covers and the description of people in the story itself. As an adult, I can connect the two, but would've liked each person's name to be somewhere on the two-page spread. I doubt very much that children will "get" who many of the people area.
Every person has the power to change the world and many people have taken that brave first step. What does it take? Bravery, strength, and intellect. Read Giant Steps to learn about how many heroes took their courageous first step to make the world a better place. This book inspires children to be agents of change and is a great introduction to a unit on biographies and research.
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Using quotes and stories of Jesse Owens, Harriet Tubman, Marva Collins, Muhammad Ali, Ben Carson, Mother Teresa, Langston Hughes, Albert Einstein, Tuskegee Airmen, Jean-Michele Basquuiat, Barack Obama, and Neil Armstrong, the book tells us to cherish every step we take to approach our dream in life. "Every one has it in them to be a hero."
A child is encourage to take steps toward change through the words of famous people. However, there are references but no mention to their names or even illustrations of who they are. Fun to see how many you can guess and the inside covers have all the individuals with quotes that help you match them up.
An uplifting as well as motivating book for children to be inspired by. It was fun reading each 2 page spread and trying to figure out who the author was referring to. But my favorite part of all was what it ends with: Now it's your turn. Everyone is waiting. What's your next step going to be?
I think this is a good one. Kids will like and it can teach a lesson about setting goals and striving to be the best you can be. It mixes quotes from famous leaders with motivational words to inspire kids.
Potential for BMJ nomination. Buying for library.
Potential for BMJ nomination. Buying for library.
Great book. Spike Lee does a great job with filling the book with inspiring people that show children that everyone has the ability to be a hero. Children have to dream. We have to instill in them that they can be anything they put their mind into and is willing to do the work.
I think it's vague also as other reviewers have stated, but it would be fun during the biography unit to read it and then learn more about each individual mentioned. If you don't view it with particular individuals in mind, the story is quite inspirational.
I think every adult should read this book to a child in their life. Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee have created an inspiring book in words and Sean Qualls provided pictures that will inspire (hopefully) young people to dream big and be a role model to others.
Hmmm. I agree with another reviewer- too vague and too little information. Love the art, love the concept, but too abstract for the intended audience and not enough info for me to explain it to them.
Age: K-5th grade
Media: acrylic
Simple pictures help convey a simple yet crucial message to youngsters: be unique, be courageous, be you.
Media: acrylic
Simple pictures help convey a simple yet crucial message to youngsters: be unique, be courageous, be you.
Received from Mom-Mom as a gift. Smart lessons in this book to have for many years. She's only 3 now, but loves the pictures.
We can learn to take small steps to change the world and follow in the big steps of those that already did! Great message!
Excellent motivational book. Answers to the "clues"/people referenced in the book are in the inside cover pages.
Absolutely brilliant and deeply inspirational.
Jan 15, 2013
Anabelle
added it
i didnt get to read it
Love this book!
Amazing :)
just beautiful.
Very motivational and inspirational stories of famous people who have overcome adversity to succeed.
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Shelton Jackson Lee, better known as Spike Lee, is an Emmy Award - winning, and Academy Award - nominated American film director, producer, writer, and actor noted for his films dealing with controversial social and political issues. He also teaches film at New York University and Columbia University. His production company, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, has produced over 35 films since 1983.
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