Dianna Hutts Aston

Driven by his desire to "do something big," Italian immigrant Simon Rodia creates a series of massive sculptures from rebar beams, cement and a wealth of broken tile, glass and other found objects in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. Observed by a young neighbor, and then her children, he works for decades to create something wonderful, before eventually leaving the neighborhood, never to be heard from again...

Dream Something Big: The Story of the Watts Towers is the tenth book I have read from picture book author Dianna Hutts Aston, whose work on such titles as An Egg Is Quiet and A Rock Is Lively I greatly admire. Although told from the perspective of a fictional neighbor, the story here is a true one—Simon Rodia did exist, and so too did (and does!) his massive folk sculpture. I enjoyed learning a little bit more about the Watts Towers and their creator, as I have long been aware of this folk art monument, but didn't know too much about it. I still don't know very much about Rodia—apparently not much is known—but I do feel I have a better appreciation for the art he created. The story here emphasizes the role of creativity and art in the lives of ordinary people, and is well-matched by the collage illustrations of Susan L. Roth, whose work I have encountered before, in Joseph Bruchac's The Great Ball Game: A Muskogee Story. All in all, this was an engaging, thought-provoking book, one that both entertains and informs. I appreciated the story and the visuals, and particularly liked that there was a craft section at the back, to help children make their own small Watts Towers. Recommended to young artists and sculptors, and to anyone searching for children's stories about the Watts Towers or folk art in general.… (more)