YiaYia Voula's Big Dream

SHE CROSSED AN OCEAN, FACED CLOSED DOORS, AND HELD ONTO ONE BIG DREAM.

As a little girl in a Greek village, Voula loves to cook, bake, and create new recipes. She dreams of becoming a chef and sharing her food with families around the world. When others laugh and tell her the dream is impossible, Voula makes herself a promise: she will keep believing.

A LITTLE GIRL WITH A BIG DREAM

Years of practice turn the little girl into a talented chef, known across her island. Her journey is only beginning.

A NEW COUNTRY, A NEW LANGUAGE, AND DOORS THAT WILL NOT OPEN

Voula moves with her family from Greece to America in search of a brighter future. Everything is unfamiliar. She does not speak the language, struggles to read the alphabet, and is turned away before she finally finds work as a chef. Then life changes again, and Voula must raise her three children on her own. She works three jobs. At times the family does not even have a place to call home.

Still, Voula keeps going.

WHEN HER FAMILY PRAYED

A devastating illness leaves Voula in a coma. Her family gathers beside her, praying and trusting God. Voula recovers, and the dream she has carried since childhood comes alive again. With her family's help she begins bringing her homemade tzatziki to grocery stores. More closed doors follow, until one yes changes everything. Today YiaYia Voula's tzatziki sits on the shelves of more than 300 stores.

WHAT YOU WILL FIND INSIDE

A true story, told for children and illustrated in full color

Perseverance, Greek heritage, immigration, Christian faith, family, kindness, and entrepreneurship

A read-aloud for home, classroom, library, and church

A closing question that turns the story toward the child

FOR EVERY CHILD WHO HAS BEEN TOLD NO

YiaYia Voula's Big Dream is for the child who has been laughed at, for the family starting over in a new place, and for every reader who needs to hear that where you begin does not decide how far your dream can go.

What is your dream?