Dear You, Dream Big!

Name: Dear You, Dream Big!
Author: Baptiste Paul
ISBN: 9781623542955

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Baptiste Paul

Reading Level 1-2 C · Gentle Ages 5-8 Matched

The text is written at a 1st grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes. Its HootRating code, C, means gentle content.

Find on Amazon Listen on Audible Find on Bookshop.org

We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.

About This Book

What if you could be anything you dreamed of—an artist, a scientist, or even president? Imagine a world where every challenge only makes your dreams shine brighter. How far will your big dreams take you?

Challenged Book

About & Banning Context

Ages 5–8

In 'Dear You, Dream Big!', Baptiste Paul offers an inspiring message aimed at Black and Brown children, encouraging them to pursue their dreams regardless of the challenges they may face. The book emphasizes that aspirations such as becoming an artist, scientist, or even a leader are attainable. Through personal and poetic affirmations, it empowers youth to stand against those who may try to silence or undermine their potential. This work celebrates Black pride and creativity, serving as a motivational anthem that highlights the importance of self-belief and resilience in the face of adversity.

Key Themes

empowerment dreams Black pride resilience creativity

Source: Unite Against Book Bans — Dear You, Dream Big!

Themes

Coming of Age Family Social Justice Friendship Identity & Self-Discovery Multicultural

Quick Assessment

Dear You, Dream Big! is an inspiring picture book that encourages young Black children to embrace their potential and creativity despite obstacles. Written in lyrical, poetic language suitable for early readers, it celebrates Black pride and resilience. This uplifting story is appropriate for ages 5-8 and supports positive self-affirmation and cultural identity.

Why we rated Dear You, Dream Big! C (Gentle)

Dear You, Dream Big! is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 36 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 3 and up can manage Dear You, Dream Big! on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

We rate Dear You, Dream Big! as C (Gentle) because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.

Thematically, Dear You, Dream Big! explores coming of age, family, social justice, friendship, and identity & self-discovery — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about coming of age, family, social justice.

Maybe not for

! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.

For Parents

Content Intensity

C · Gentle

Emotional

Gentle

Physical

Gentle

Social

Gentle

Thematic

Gentle

Reading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate

No conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?