Norbert's Big Dream

by Lori Degman, Marco Bucci (Illustrations)

Norbert is a pig with a dream. It doesn't matter if the other farm animals snicker behind his back, Norbert has always dreamed of swimming the English Channel. He's been preparing and training and finally he's ready for the big swim! But where exactly is the English Channel?! Will Norbert have to give up on his dreams or will his friends come to the rescue after all? A sweet, funny story about dreaming big.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 1, 2016

About the author

"Lori Degman is a teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing by day and a children's book author by night, weekend, and school holiday. She writes in rhyme, most of the time - but not always!

Lori is the award-winning author of:
1 Zany Zoo (Simon & Schuster in 2010) - An Illinois Reads Book Selection; winner of the Cheerios New Author Contest and Mom's Choice Award.

Cock-a-Doodle Oops! (Creston Books, 2014) - International Literacy Association Honor Book and winner of Mom's Choice Award.

Norbert's Big Dream (Sleeping Bear Press, 2016).

Reviews

[La Coccinelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an okay story about a pig with a dream. Norbert isn't like the other pigs on the farm. While they're eating slop and rolling in mud, he's training for his big dream: to swim the English Channel. But when he's finally ready, he realizes he doesn't know where the English Channel is! He thinks his dream is over... but then his friends come through with a kind gesture.

The whole thing is about following your dreams and having the support of friends. The message is fine. The writing is fairly strong. And the illustrations are pretty cute. If there's one thing I didn't really like, though, it was the depiction of the English Channel. Of course, Norbert has no clue where it is, so he just imagines it as little more than a water-filled ditch. But this perception is never corrected, which might be confusing for some readers.

That aside, however, this is an entertaining little story.

[Diana C. Kobylak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story of a little pig with big dreams. While the other pigs do pig things, he disciplines himself and trains for swimming the English Channel. Inspiration for kids to focus on a goal.

[jennyreadit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Norbert has big dreams beyond the farm. He trains diligently to swim the English Channel while the other animals are rolling in mud, eating and sleeping. When he's ready to begin his journey, he realizes he has no idea where to even find the English Channel and abruptly gives up on his dream. However, Norbert's friends don't want him to give up on his big dream and they create a farm version of the English Channel. Great for reading aloud at the beginning of the year, discussing friendship and dreams.

[Lucy Branam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the main plot twist that ends up being the solution to the protagonist’s problem. This book is sweet and warms the heart with its use of the “friends helping friends” motif.
The illustrations are delightful; made up of vibrant colors and thick paint strokes (and big-eyed Norbert is too cute!) They vary in page placement and layout: some are full page spreads, while others make use of white-space.

[Mary Uhles · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can't help but love Norbert's indomitable spirit as he sees opportunity for greatness in even the most ordinary barnyards. And as his friend's support for helping his dream come true is a touching twist. Lovely illustrations accompany this sweet tale of having a dream and never giving up.

[Rebecca Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a cute little story about following your dreams, and solving problems in creative ways! The illustrations were also super sweet, I thought they paired well with the little world of Norbert!

[Georgette · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great little book! I love Norbert.

[Nikki Glassley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost skipped this one because I didn't love the cover art, but it was super cute! This could be a fun storytime book.

[Cheyenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and funny and cute!

[Janeandjerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little book for the kids of all ages and used it as a fuller as well.

[Rolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute-especially the ending, when Norbert’s friends are super supportive.

[Maryam Ghaderi · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! The illustration is fantastic 🤩

[Carrie Charley Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breaking out of the rhyming mold and into prose, Lori Degman shines in this character-driven story about a motivated pig with big dreams. Children will fall in love with Norbert's spirit. He's not afraid to follow his dreams and be different. As a bonus, the young reader will learn (without even realizing) that it's a pretty good idea to think things through when planning for a big goal. With winks at additional themes of friendship, staying motivated, and facing conflict, this story scores big on the teaching scale. (It's a great one for the beginning of any school year!) Illustrator Marco Bucci renders bright, colorful illustrations that make Norbert feel like a favorite cartoon television show. From cover to cover, Norbert's Big Dream is a work of art that children will adore.

[Kate Puleo Unger · Rating 4 out of 5]

ages 4-6

Norbert the pig dreams about swimming across the English Channel, so he trains hard everyday. When he's finally ready, he cannot find it, so his friends help by labeling a stream "Norbert's Channel." They hide and watch him swim. He feels like a champion, but instead of going back to being a normal pig, he dreams a new dream. This book is cute and inspiring.

http://www.momsradius.com/2016/11/cyb...

[Juliana Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Norbert isn't afraid to dream big! While all the other pigs wallow in the mud, Norbert trains to swim the English Channel. But where was the English Channel. With the help of his farm friends, Norbert swims Norbert's Channel. And with that checked off his bucket list, Norbert goes on to dream even bigger dreams. Go Norbert!

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Endearing illustrations with a sweet ending. Could be used as a discussion starter or writing prompt in the classroom. What are your dreams?

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story about an aspiring pig who wants to succeed at something besides lying in the mud and eating slop. Cute way he succeeds after much training. Love the illustrations, too.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS WAS SUCH A FANTASTIC BOOK!

[Robin Raines-Bond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dream Big and never give up! I like the encouragement that Norbert received from his farm family. Cute read!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely charming