In the spirit of honoring the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., comes a heartfelt debut picture book filled with hope and inspiration from author Bena Hartman and illustrator Shelly Lipscomb.

My Elephant-Sized Dream captures the imagination of a young girl named Bree as she ponders the significance of Dr. King’s 'I Have a Dream' speech. Bree has a big imagination. Watching shooting stars race across the sky one evening Bree starts to wonder if peace and harmony exists in the world and puts King’s speech to the test. Determined to satisfy her wonderment and continue the work that King had done, Bree is inspired to lasso shooting stars, place them in jars with special labels such as laughter and friendship, and pass them out to people who come to her star-aid stand.

This story is for anyone, at any age level. It’s a story to inspire you to dream big, to act upon your dreams, and then share your dreams with others. With beautifully water-colored illustrations, and spare, yet tranquil text, the story reminds us of the value of following one’s dreams and finding peace within. Readers will find both encouragement and satisfaction in every encounter with this heartwarming narrative.

This heartwarming and beautifully illustrated book will inspire us all to dream a little more and to remind us that the makings of peace and a better tomorrow are just a dream away. A must read to influence our next generation! What’s your elephant-sized dream? (32pp. full-color illus. Masthof Press, 2016.)