Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World



Last updated Thursday, January 23, 2020

Author: Vashti Harrison
Date of Publication: 2018
ISBN: 0316475173
Grade Level: 4th    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Feb. 2020

Synopsis: Featuring the true stories of 35 women creators, ranging from writers to inventors, artists to scientists, Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World inspires as it educates. Readers will meet trailblazing women like Mary Blair, an American modernist painter who had a major influence on how color was used in early animated films, actor/inventor Hedy Lamarr, environmental activist Wangari Maathai, architect Zaha Hadid, filmmaker Maya Deren, and physicist Chien-Shiung Wu. Some names are known, some are not, but all of the women had a lasting effect on the fields they worked in.

Note to readers:
•  There are wonderful pictures in this book.
•  As you prepare to introduce the stories of each creator, allow the children to look at the picture to guess who the creator is.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Name something that was invented by a woman (Windshield Wipers, Dishwashers, Computers, etc)
•  Think of a woman in leadership that you admire and why?

Vocabulary

•  Visionary: thinking about or planning the future with imagination or wisdom
•  Persistence: firm or continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition.
•  Essence: the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something, especially something abstract, that determines its character.
•  Innovation: a new method, idea, or product
•  Inheritance: assets that an individual passes on to his or her loved ones

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Which creator in the story were you surprised to read about?
•  What do you think inspired these women to become leaders?

Craft ideas:
•  Create your own vision. Draw something that you would like to create or change in the world.
•  Write a letter or create a card for someone you admire.
•  Make a Valentine's Day card (ideas on Pinterest board for February, labeled "All grades")
•  Check our craft ideas on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/february-2020-people-places-around-the-world/

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!