Big Little Voices is a heartfelt picture book series inspired by real children learning to recognize their strengths, navigate challenges, and share their voices with the world.
Each story follows a child whose experience may feel familiar to many young readers. Amir is a gifted athlete who must learn to bring the same determination he shows on the court to reading with dyslexia. Gracie has thoughtful ideas and important things to say but struggles to make her voice heard. Scarlett’s confidence and natural leadership help her step forward when her classroom needs someone to take charge.
Although each child faces a different challenge, the stories share an important message: children are never defined by one struggle, diagnosis, or personality trait. Their differences are only one part of who they are—and often become the source of their greatest strengths.
Through relatable characters, meaningful classroom experiences, and hopeful endings, the series explores perseverance, confidence, empathy, leadership, self-advocacy, and belonging. The books encourage children to better understand themselves while also helping them recognize and appreciate the experiences of others.
Inspired by true stories and developed with input from the children and families represented, Big Little Voices celebrates the courage it takes to keep trying, step forward, and be heard.
Because every child has a story—and every voice matters.
Meet the Characters in Miss Welby’s 2nd Grade
Meet Amir
Amir Johnson is unstoppable on the football field—fast, fearless, and cheered on like a hero. But in the classroom, letters scramble, words slip away, and he feels like he’s always fumbling the ball. With encouragement from his coach, his teacher, and his own determination, Amir learns that champions aren’t just measured by touchdowns. They’re built on resilience, practice, and heart.
A Champion’s Playbook: A Story of Dyslexia and Determination
In A Champion’s Playbook, Amir shines on the basketball court. He can outrun defenders, sink difficult shots, and lead his team—but when it comes to reading, he feels defeated.
After learning that he has dyslexia, Amir begins to understand that his brain simply learns in a different way. With support from his family and teachers—and inspiration from basketball star Jameer Nelson, who worked hard to overcome being underestimated—Amir approaches reading with the same determination he brings to every game.
A heartfelt story about dyslexia, perseverance, and discovering that true champions are not defined by how easily success comes, but by how bravely they keep trying.
Meet Gracie
Gracie is a thoughtful, creative girl with a big imagination and plenty to say—even when the words feel difficult to share. Speaking in front of others makes her nervous, but with encouragement from her family, counselor, and teacher, she learns to breathe deeply, trust herself, and take small, brave steps. When her class suddenly needs someone to step forward, Gracie discovers that courage does not always sound like a roar. Sometimes, it begins with one quiet voice saying, “I’ll do it.”
Gracie’s Voice
In Gracie’s Voice, Gracie is a thoughtful, creative girl with plenty to say—but speaking in front of others makes her feel small, shaky, and afraid. With encouragement from her family, counselor, and teacher, she practices calming strategies and begins taking small steps toward confidence.
When an unexpected problem leaves her class without an announcer for its school play, Gracie must decide whether she is ready to step forward. By taking a risk and trusting herself, she discovers that courage does not have to sound like a roar. Sometimes, it begins with one quiet voice saying, “I’ll do it.”
A heartfelt story about confidence, anxiety, bravery, and finding the courage to be heard.
Meet Scarlett Emily Delphinium Rosenblatt
Scarlett is bold, confident, and never afraid to take charge. She notices details others miss, speaks her mind, and has a natural talent for organizing people and solving problems. Her strong personality can sometimes be misunderstood as bossy, but when her class faces an emergency, Scarlett shows that her clear thinking, courage, and leadership are exactly what everyone needs. Scarlett knows that being a boss is not about controlling others—it is about staying calm, helping people work together, and using your strengths to make a difference.
Scarlett is a Boss
In Scarlett Is a Boss, Scarlett is bold, confident, and always ready to take charge. She knows the rules, notices every detail, and never hesitates to tell others exactly what she thinks. While some people call her bossy, Scarlett believes she is simply helping everyone do things the right way.
When her teacher suddenly faints in the middle of class, Scarlett’s strong voice and natural leadership become exactly what everyone needs. She stays calm, gives clear directions, and helps her classmates work together until the adults arrive.
A lively story about confidence, leadership, teamwork, and discovering that the very qualities others may misunderstand can become your greatest strengths.
Meet Lucas
Lucas is energetic, creative, and used to shining. He is a talented soccer player, a gifted writer, and the kind of classmate who makes friends wherever he goes. But when numbers do not make sense right away, Lucas can become frustrated and doubt himself. With encouragement and strategies connected to the things he loves, he learns that struggling with math does not mean he is not smart—it simply means he may need a different way to learn. Lucas shows that real confidence comes from staying curious, trying new approaches, and refusing to give up.
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Counting on Lucas
In Counting on Lucas, Lucas seems to shine at everything he tries. He is a talented soccer player, an award-winning writer, and a confident classmate who makes friends wherever he goes. But when it comes to math, Lucas feels stuck. Timed tests make him nervous, numbers become confusing, and mistakes leave him wondering why something that looks easy for everyone else feels so difficult for him.
Instead of asking Lucas to work harder in the same way, his teacher helps him discover strategies that fit the way he learns. Through songs, games, stories, and sports-inspired problem-solving, Lucas begins to see numbers differently. As his confidence grows, he learns that being smart does not mean everything comes easily—it means staying curious, trying new approaches, and continuing even when something feels hard.
A hopeful story about perseverance, flexible thinking, and finding the learning strategies that help every child succeed.
Meet Wynne
Wynne is gentle, observant, and full of quiet wisdom. She may be smaller than her classmates and need extra time with some kinds of learning, but she notices things others often miss. In the garden, Wynne’s knowledge, patience, and caring nature help her become a confident leader and an important part of the team. Wynne shows that everyone has something valuable to contribute—and that the smallest person can sometimes help the biggest ideas grow.
When Wynne Blooms
In Watch Wynne Bloom, Wynne is the tiniest student in her second-grade class. Learning may take her a little longer, and although her classmates care about her, they sometimes treat her as if she needs to be protected instead of included.
Everything changes when the class begins a gardening unit. While the other students struggle to understand why their plants are not growing, Wynne notices what everyone else has missed. Drawing on what she knows about rain, watering, weeds, and growing plants, she helps the class change its plan and bring the garden back to life.
As the seedlings begin to sprout, Wynne’s confidence grows too. Her classmates discover that she is not someone to take care of—she is a thoughtful problem-solver, a capable teammate, and the garden expert they can depend on.
A gentle, uplifting story about inclusion, quiet leadership, unexpected strengths, and the importance of giving every child the opportunity to bloom.
