Basil Dreams Big: perfect for encouraging resilience & self-belief!

Basil the bat doesn't believe that he can fly. Encouraged by his friend, Moth, and the rest of the fruit bats, he tries and tries, but with no luck. However, when a storm threatens Moth, Basil realises that anything is possible.

Told in bouncy, rhyming text, Basil Dreams Big is an absolute dream to read aloud, making it perfect for sharing! Children will empathise with Basil as he struggles to master a new skill. No matter what he does, his efforts seem fruitless, but ultimately, resilience and self-belief enable him to overcome his fears. Supported by friends and family, he struggles to find the courage until his best friend needs him and everything falls into place.

Children will relate to Basil's worries and the book makes a perfect starting point for discussions about resilience, determination and not giving up. Gorgeous illustrations accompany the story and these could also be used with a class - or individual child - to pause the story and explore Basil's feelings at different points, perhaps using role play or gathering vocabulary.

Children might share a personal (realistic!) goal recorded on a 'Basil' shape which they are determined to achieve, creating a display to encourage perseverance. Used alongside other areas of the curriculum, the book might also inspire research into fruit bats.

Some of the lovely phrasing used in the story might also be explored - 'moonlit-kissed world', 'dawn-dusted tree', 'storm-tumbled skies' - perhaps encouraging children to create their own descriptive words or phrases - even leading to poetry writing! A really lovely book! 

Picture book / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 3+

Basil Dreams Big is a beautifully illustrated, heartwarming picture book; a wonderful story of friendship and resilience told through carefully crafted, rhyming sentences. The vocabulary choices are just fantastic and would inspire young readers. My favourite phrases are; '…wings made of moonlight and lace', 'A drop of belief in his puddle of doubt' and '…down to a dawn dusted tree…'

There is no bigger message than the importance of believing in yourself and the role that loved ones play in this. This could be used in so many different ways with children. It could be enjoyed as a story time at any time of day. You could use it to study the impact that illustrations have on the text or the use of language. The rhyme and rhythm of this text will make it a firm favourite for adults and children alike. It is such a joy to read.

Picture book / Reviewed by Amanda Shipton, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 3+

This is the perfect book for those who love bats - there are plenty of fruit bats in this lovely, uplifting tale about Basil the bat and friend, Moth. Basil hasn't learned to fly yet, he tries after encouragement from Moth and the rest of the fruit bat colony but falls repeatedly to the ground. It isn't until a terrible storm arrives that Basil realises he must put his fear of failure aside to save not only himself, but his beloved friend... fragile Moth!  Does Basil soar or plummet? Does he glide or tumble? Does he find safety and sanctuary for himself and his friend?

Basil Dreams Big is marvellous in many ways - perfect for assemblies or class story time or one-to-one with a vulnerable child. Its message of resilience in the face of failure and putting friends first is noble and one that all children will respond to. We've all been Basil at some point in our lives and the book can start a conversation about facing your fears and accepting that everyone fails sometimes. But Moth believes in her friend and because she believes, Basil discovers a little self-belief too.

This text ticks a number of boxes; apart from the positive story, the use of rhyming couplets and short blocks of text dotted around on the pages makes it fun to read and not overwhelming. The illustrations are simply gorgeous; bright, eye-catching and impossibly cute. It could be the stimulus for a wonderful display, with a real tree branch used to display drawn and made fruit bats, whose folded wings hide a message of resilience for each child. A moth glittering with sparkles (and maybe even fairy lights) can sit alongside Basil and the oncoming storm could loom over one corner of the display. Add some generic storm words to build vocabulary and finish with. some fruit bat facts. A really eye catching display right there.

Picture book / Reviewed by Wendy Kelly, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 5+