Dreamers

About the Book

In this glorious tribute to public libraries, Morales tells her own story, addressing it to her son in lyrical language with enchanting illustrations. Her narrative voice recounts crossing the border from Mexico. “You and I became caminantes,” walkers who took “thousands of steps” before finding a wonderfully “improbable” place: the library. The richly colored mixed-media illustrations swirl with elements from magical realism: flowers, hearts, suns, colored flames, butterflies, and flying figures. “Books became our language. Books became our home. Books became our lives.”

Why this Book?

First, this book celebrates books and libraries from the viewpoint of someone who didn’t grow up with them and recognizes what a gift they are. I love the way children’s book covers and spines are incorporated into the artwork: Doctor De Soto, Lon Po Po, In My Family/En Mi Familia. Dreamers also celebrates immigrants and how they enrich their new country, such as the narrator herself becoming an award-winning picture book creator, detailed in the author’s note. Finally, the author lists children’s books at the back that inspired her–what fun it would be if more authors did that. In all ways, wonderful.