Amanda's Big Dream by Judith Matz


Amanda's Big Dream
Title : Amanda's Big Dream
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : -
Language : English
Format Type : Kindle Edition
Number of Pages : 32
Publication : First published February 28, 2015

Amanda’s Big Dream is the inspiring adventure 
of a girl who dreams of a solo in the Spring Ice Skating Show. When Amanda’s skating coach makes a comment about her weight, she loses confidence in her ability to make her dream come true. Despite reassurances from her parents, her doctor, and her best friend, Amanda decides to quit skating. Will Amanda return to the ice? Or has she given up forever? Come along with Amanda as she realizes the true secret to following her big dream!

A healthy body image is essential for kids to feel confident and strong! Parents want their children to have a healthy body image, but may be unsure how to respond to their kids’ anxiety about weight.

Amanda's Big Dream Reviews

  • Lenny Husen

    This was delightful! Every little girl should own a copy. Very well done, body positive book that doesn't hit you over the head with the message. For example, the Coach made a comment about Amanda's weight but it was well-meaning (like so many hurtful comments are about someone else's body) and I liked that the Coach was still portrayed as a nice person.
    Amanda is a realistic, likable little girl. I loved her parents and especially Dr. Jones the Primary Doctor (can we please clone Dr. Jones about 10,000 times????).

    The illustrations were charming, and again, I liked that the characters who were "skinny" for example the Coach and other girl skaters, weren't drawn as skinny, just average size. Amanda has a body type like me as a girl, bigger than average in certain places, bigger than many other girls her age but not fat. Not to say it would be bad to have a fat protagonist, but Amanda simply isn't fat.

    My only criticism of this wonderful book was that the illustrator doesn't seem to know how to draw skating. For example, why didn't she draw Amanda doing her Camel Spin which the author talks about her doing so easily and well? That would have been a beautiful drawing! Or doing a Spiral? I am sure Amanda can do a Spiral or a Mazurka or Waltz Jump. Even if she can't do an Axel yet.
    Oh well, maybe those drawing will be in the sequel when Amanda goes to the Regionals.

    I still love the illustrations, though, and especially appreciated that Amanda looks just like her mother, and both are so incredibly pretty, with similar body shapes.

    The message to parents in the beginning of the book was perfectly written. Size Shaming hurts bigger kids AND littler kids. It hurts EVERYONE. Please, please, let's end it forever.

    A++++ for Amanda's Big Dream, now let's have a book for little boys worried about being too short!

  • Michael Martin<span class=

    Loved it! My big sister, Elizabeth Patch, is the artist who did all the illustrations. She is a big proponent of positive body image for women. Check out more of her work at
    http://elizabethpatch.com/illustrations/