My daughter is quite the wild child, but she also loves to read. I find her reading in the strangest positions including hanging upside down off the couch and upside down on the wall. I love collecting new titles to add to my home library, especially books that remind me of my kiddos. When recently offered the chance to review a copy of Happy Dreamer written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds in exchange for my honest opinion, I eagerly accepted the opportunity to add a new title to my home library. The hardback book currently costs $10.52 on Amazon with a list price of $17.99.
Author/Illustrator
Currently residing in Dedham, Massachusetts with his family, author and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds is a New York Times bestselling children’s book author and the illustrator of many children’s books including The Dot, Ish, Sky Color, the Judy Moody series, and Someday by Allison McGhee. He has sold more than two million books in over 25 languages around the world. Along with his twin brother Paul, Peter founded FableVision in 1996 as a social change agency to help move the world to a better place by creating stories that matter and stories that move. He is also the owner of The Blue Bunny Books and Toys independent bookstore. Follow Peter online at his website or on Facebook and Twitter.
Synopsis
Existing in a world that tells us to sit still and follow the rules, Happy Dreamer celebrates all the moments in between when the mind and spirit soar and we are free to become our own true dreamer maximus. The inspirational and empowering book reminds children that their dreams matter but that life will have ups and downs. Through a universally poignant celebration of the colorful spectrum, Reynolds enlists little readers to tap into their most creative inner selves and to never forget to dream big. Recommended for readers between the ages of 4 and 8, Happy Dreamer is a 32-page children’s picture book.
Evaluation
As soon as I began reading Happy Dreamer, I was instantly reminded of my five-year-old daughter. She is my wild child who full of loud noises, chaotic creativity, and huge dreams! “Sometimes the world tells me … Sit still. Be quiet. Pay attention. Focus.” — I find these words coming out of my mouth and directed at my daughter all too often. She frequently replies, “I can’t! My mind won’t let me!” Happy Dreamer is therefore the perfect book for her!
My kids and I love the illustration style and colors that Reynolds uses throughout Happy Dreamer. On the wildest pages, the pictures are bright and colorful but not overwhelming. The color palette on the quieter pages reflects the change in mood through subdued black and white drawings with just a hint of color. My favorite two-page spread is of the fireworks, which features a black background with colored fireworks jumping out from the page.
In addition to the illustrations and colors, I especially appreciate the message in Happy Dreamer. I want my daughter to develop the skills to sit still and focus, but I do not want to squash the wild uniqueness that makes her who she is. The book encourages readers to become their own dreamer maximus — even in a world that sometimes tells us to pick up our messes. The message is absolutely perfect for my loud, chaotic, creative, lovable little dreamer of a wild child!
Final Verdict
If you too want to teach your children to never stop dreaming big, definitely check out Happy Dreamer written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. The 32-page hardback book encourages readers to tap into their most creative inner selves and to never forget to dream big. My own daughter is a wild child full of loud noises, chaotic creativity, and huge dreams. The message in the book is therefore perfect for her: Though the world may sometimes tell her to sit still and focus, she should never forget about her creative inner self. I additionally love the illustration style and colors used throughout the book. I therefore highly recommend Happy Dreamer to every young reader with big dreams!
Purchase Happy Dreamer on Amazon via my affiliate link.
Image Credits
‘Happy Dreamer’ Book Review © 2017 Heather Johnson
Cover of ‘Happy Dreamer’ with Dust Jacket © 2017 Heather Johnson
Cover of ‘Happy Dreamer’ © 2017 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘Happy Dreamer’ 1 © 2017 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘Happy Dreamer’ 2 © 2017 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘Happy Dreamer’ 3 © 2017 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of ‘Happy Dreamer’ 4 © 2017 Heather Johnson
