Book Review of Dash Makes a Splash
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The Children’s Book Review
Dash Makes a Splash
Written by Marissa Bader
Illustrated by Ellie Beykzadeh
Ages: 4-6 | 32 Pages
Publisher: M. Bader Media, LLC (2026) | ISBN: 979-8-9926905-3-8
What to Expect: Friendship, belonging, self-acceptance, self-esteem, courage, water cycle, STEM.
In this encouraging story about acceptance and finding oneself, Dash has a wish every child will recognize: to be let into the game.
Dash is the smallest droplet in a cloud full of droplets who all seem to be having so much fun—without him. He tries his hardest to fit in, making his voice louder, changing shape, and even trying to stretch himself bigger, but it’s no good—the others just don’t notice him. Then the cloud bursts open, and Dash tumbles down into a lake. Suddenly all alone, he notices a tiny ring spreading out from where he landed. Then, all of a sudden, he’s not alone anymore. Another droplet named Dot has seen his ripples and wants to play with him! Their giggles draw droplets from leaves, branches, and clouds, and the ripples roll into a wave. Dash hasn’t just found a friend—he’s started a wave of friendship! As the sun returns the droplets to the clouds, Dash realizes something: every droplet is a little bit different, and far from being too small, he is just enough.
Dash never grows bigger, but he does grow in wisdom, learning through the metaphor of ripples and waves that belonging comes from what he does—not who he is. The sparkling illustrations follow Dash’s mood, moving from hazy blue-greys in the clouds to sunlit greens and golds on the lake as he discovers belonging and friendship. Hand-lettered sound words—WHOOSH, PLUNK, SPLASH—tumble across the page, adding visual interest to the text and underscoring the watery elements of the story. The opening lines return at the close, and short sentences and count-of-three jumps make the story perfect for reading aloud. A water-cycle diagram at the back helps readers understand the science underpinning the story.
Perfect for any young reader who has hovered at the edge of a game, Dash Makes a Splash is also great for interdisciplinary lessons that combine SEL and STEM learning.
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About the Author
Marissa Bader is an award-winning children’s book author based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, who writes picture books that help children build confidence, kindness, courage, empathy, and a sense of belonging. Her social-emotional learning (SEL) stories are loved by families, teachers, school counselors, librarians, and homeschool educators for sparking meaningful conversations while helping children navigate big feelings and everyday challenges.
She is the author of The Only Me, Stella’s Brave Voice, Petunia the Perfectionist, Saturdays with Gramps, and Dash Makes a Splash, each inspired by her three daughters and the real-life experiences that shape childhood.
In addition to writing children’s books, Marissa has written about parenting, grief, and mental health, with work featured in Psychology Today, Lucie’s List, Her View From Home, and more.
Visit MarissaBader.com to explore Marissa’s books, download FREE printable activities, coloring pages, discussion guides, and social-emotional learning resources, and learn more about her author visits and school presentations.
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. This is a sponsored*, non-biased review of Dash Makes a Splash. Learn more about getting a book review …
