Thursday, January 16, 2014

Dream Animals by Emily Winfield Martin -- ESSENTIAL

Martin, Emily Winfield Dream Animals: A Bedtime Journey. PICTURE BOOK. Random House, 2013. $17.99. Content: G.

In this whimsical and appealingly odd journey, animals escort children into Dreamland and help them explore the unique and enchanting world of each dream.

Oh, how I love this book. It is easily one of my family's favorite picture books. The reassuring message portrays dreams as a fanciful, interesting worlds, and the rhythmic text is a pleasure to read aloud. The illustrations perfectly match the ethereal atmosphere of the story, with their beautifully old-fashioned, yet slightly peculiar and dreamlike feel. The richly-imagined, pastel-colored worlds are enough to become lost in, and every time I read the book I see something new. I do wish the publisher had chosen to print the dust jacket image on the book itself instead of an alternate image, as a dust jacket will never hold up to the repeat readings this book will receive, but that is a small detail. All in all, a wonderful bedtime read and highly recommended.

Pre-K, EL (K-3) -- ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Caryn.

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