In a world where stories have the power to inspire, Dream Big Books is at the forefront of educational innovation. The Houston-based publishing company is revolutionizing storytelling through a unique multimedia platform that brings dreams to life for audiences of all ages. Using interactive books, animated films and podcasts, the organization empowers young minds, engages communities and supports aspiring artists.
The platform’s multimedia approach brings stories to life, offering lessons on overcoming obstacles, achieving goals and dreaming without limits. Designed to inspire and educate students from pre-K to college, Dream Big Books creates educational opportunities for young artists, helping them build confidence and skills. High school artists contribute to group books, while college students work on full-length books, all of them becoming published authors.
Founded by Houston photographer and storyteller Josh Merwin, Dream Big Books reflects his passion for mentorship and storytelling. His vision is to provide young artists a creative outlet and give them a voice in the process. Merwin will be speaking Tuesday night, Nov. 12, at the Local Literati program at the Ann and Stephen Kaufman Jewish Book & Arts Festival.
Each Dream Big Books project incorporates several storytelling elements. An animated 45-second cover introduces the athlete or subject, followed by a 15-minute podcast where the subject and artist discuss overcoming challenges. A core feature is a 30-page book detailing the subject’s journey, inspiring young readers to see what’s possible, regardless of the obstacles they face.
Ongoing projects include stories of Houstonians, such as Holocaust survivor Ruth Steinfeld, and Peter and Aaron Berry and their impact on wheelchair sports. Another heroic tale is that of Italian cyclist Gino Bartali, who helped save more than 800 Jews during the Holocaust.
Steinfeld is excited to be sharing her book with students. “This book will help me make a lasting impact with the students I meet.”
Linda Burger, Holocaust Museum Houston interim CEO, said, “HMH supports Josh Merwin and Dream Big Books’ efforts that will inspire students to become upstanders. Wendy Warren, HMH Holocaust and Genocide Education endowed chair, plans to add the digital books to the HMH-recommended resources for teachers and to the E-Books Program that is free to schools that support Holocaust, human rights and character education.”
Dream Big goes beyond books by creating a three-minute animated film with the book’s subject narrating their own story. Adding to this is a custom song, offering viewers a multisensory experience. For Steinfeld’s story, Merwin partnered with Jewish rapper Kosha Dills to create the soundtrack.
“As someone who has long been active in Holocaust education, I have enjoyed supporting Josh as he created this powerful and critically important platform,” said Jay Zeidman, member of the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission.
“Dream Big Books serves as a modern-day tool to combat hatred, prejudice and indifference by educating all Texans about the Holocaust and other genocides in an effort to dismantle antisemitism and prevent such future atrocities. In the times we are living in, historical education around the Holocaust, coupled with innovative tools such as Dream Big’s whole-child approach to early education, is designed to fight antisemitism in a modern-day context,” said Zeidman.
The digital versions of these stories are accessible worldwide and include a collection on Jewish athletes such as the Berry brothers, Ludwig Guttman (founder of the Paralympics) and Jack Lubel, former Houston Jewish Sports Hall of Fame athlete and philanthropist.
Dream Big also is exploring a future story on the positive tenets of the religions of the world, which will create a better understanding for people of all faiths.
A core mission of Dream Big Books’ philanthropic arm is to reach underserved youth. Through events like Literacy Days, the organization distributes books to children who might not have access to high-quality reading materials. Dream Big also hosts Imagination Station pop-ups, offering interactive storytelling experiences for families, fostering creativity and imagination.
Each donation to Dream Big directly impacts the number of books it distributes for free in the community. The organization aims to publish two books monthly, distributing more than 24,000 books annually. Partnerships with nonprofits allow these books to become powerful fundraising tools, with a portion of proceeds supporting important causes. Fundraising events, like book-release parties and visits to children’s hospitals, amplify these efforts.
Dream Big also offers legacy projects that honor Holocaust survivors. These one-page animated cover stories give descendants an opportunity to tell their ancestors’ stories, keeping their voices alive for future generations. Funders can sponsor a Dream Big Cover Story, ensuring the survivor’s legacy is shared in one of Dream Big’s group survivor books.
Dream Big Books relies on individual book purchases, donations and volunteers to continue its work. Contributions help fund specific projects or support the overall program. A generous $50,000 matching donation from the Merwin family and Houston philanthropists Velva G. Levine and Cyvia Wolff is available through the end of 2024, doubling the impact of every donation.
To learn more about Dream Big Books, its mission or to donate, visit dream dreambigbooks.org or contact Merwin at [email protected].
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