Hi Lori! Congrats on the release of NORBERT’S BIG DREAM. I love how this story encourages children to break out of preconceived roles and dream big. All of the THINK QUICK themes below appear in your book. Let’s see which way you lean. Remember, THINK QUICK!

Thanks for having me here, Carrie! I loved all the questions!

On Pigs:

Preferred pets or farm friends?

Farm friends. Unfortunately, my town has an ordinance against pet pigs.

On Dreams:

Wish on a star or make them happen?

Wish first – then make them happen. As Katherine Paterson said: “A dream without a plan is just a wish.”

On Swimming:

Splash around or swim for life?

Splash for my life.

On Goals:

Set them high or start small?

Set them high. As Norman Vincent Peale said: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.”

On Mud:

Embrace the goo or wash it off?

Definitely embrace the goo! It may be messy but it’s fun!

On Conflict:

Press through or take a break?

I’m a classic procrastinator, so I’m apt to take a break!

On Friends:

Roll with one pack or splatter some muddy love to many?

I’m a people person, so I love having a lot of friends – but I also have a pack of very close friends.

On Staying Motivated:

Reward your achievements or seek support?

I’d be nowhere without the support of my writer friends, and together we celebrate our achievements – big and small! Whether it’s completing a story, submitting a manuscript or signing a contract!

On Training:

Push hard & fast or take baby steps?

I have short legs, so I’m forced to take baby steps J Seriously, I tend to jump into things with both feet.

On Books:

Norbert’s Big Dream or Norbert’s Big Dream?

Norbert’s Big Dream!

Of course! And I agree!

Review (By Carrie Charley Brown):

Breaking out of the rhyming mold and into prose, Lori Degman shines in this character-driven story about a motivated pig with big dreams. Children will fall in love with Norbert's spirit. He's not afraid to follow his dreams and be different. As a bonus, the young reader will learn (without even realizing) that it's a pretty good idea to think things through when planning for a big goal. With winks at additional themes of friendship, staying motivated, and facing conflict, this story scores big on the teaching scale. (It's a great one for the beginning of any school year!) Illustrator Marco Bucci renders bright, colorful illustrations that make Norbert feel like a favorite cartoon television show. From cover to cover, Norbert's Big Dream is a work of art that children will adore.

Lori Degman is the award-winning author of three picture books. 1 Zany Zoo (Simon & Schuster, 2010) won the Cheerios New Author Contest and a small paperback version was including inside 2.2 million boxes of Cheerios. 1 Zany Zoo was on the inaugural Illinois Reads List and was nominated for the South Carolina School Picture book Award. Cock-a-Doodle Oops! (Creston Books, 2014) was an International Literacy Association Honor Book. Norbert’s Big Dream (Sleeping Bear Press, 2016) was released August 1, 2016. She lives in a northern suburb of Chicago. Learn more about her at Loridegman.com.