Dreamland
illust. by Kevin Hawkes. Orchard
Bks/Scholastic Grades 1-4.
Theo and his Uncle Gurney are two of a kind. When they are supposed to be helping out in the family tailoring business, they are daydreaming--Uncle Gurney cuts crazy-colored shirts while Theo draws imaginary dream machines. When Gurney leaves to go out West and seek his fortune, Theo is heartbroken. But Gurney takes some of Theo's drawings with him and completes a mysterious & wonderful project. A book that emphasizes that great things happen when you combine dreams and imagination with hard work.
"A
great way to inspire creative thinking." Starred Review, SLJ
"Ms.
Schotter is a tailor's granddaughter; she draws on her own family history for
her 15th book for young people, and her engaging phrases sometimes spring from
a tailor's world: 'Papa's eyes were the size of winter coat buttons.'
Using a rich, evocative palette of oil paints, Kevin Hawkes captures the charm
and lyricism of the story. His fanciful line drawings of Theo's dream
machines form a striking contrast to the solidity of his other pictures.
Theo, with avuncular love and support, sees his dream machines come to life,
able to unite and support his family. In Dreamland, dreams
triumph." New York Times Book Review
"Theo's life extends far beyond his family's East Coast tailor shop to the
fantastical world of his drawings. From the Spinning Machine to the Hoist and Spring, Theo spends his days thinking of new mechanical
contraptions while his practical parents scold him and his loving uncle Gurney
offers encouragement. Theo's dream machines leap to life when his uncle moves
out West and opens an amusement park. With bus tickets and new drawings
in hand, Theo and his parents travel west to join Gurney in
the management of Dreamland. Kevin Hawkes's opulent oils complement the
engaging text by Roni Schotter, author of 14 books and winner of the Parents'
Choice Award for Captain Snap and the Children of Vinegar Lane. Dreamland
celebrates the might of imagination and the importance of encouraging children
to follow their dreams, whether artistic or otherwise. Dreams do come true in
Dreamland." Amazon.com
Irma Simonton Black Honor Book
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