Dreamers

Starred review from July 16, 2018
In warm, sparkling prose that moves easily from English to Spanish and back, Caldecott Honor artist Morales (Viva Frida) traces the journey that she and her small son took in 1994, when they immigrated from Mexico to the United States. (“My Story,” included after the text, supplies the details.) A woman and a child struggle to understand the rules as they explore San Francisco. (When the two play in a public fountain, a policeman approaches, hands on hips; “Ay!” the mother cries in dismay.) Then they discover the library: “Suspicious./ Improbable./ Unbelievable./ Surprising.” It’s a miraculous oasis—countless books to borrow, information about everything in the world. There, she says, “We learned to read,/ to speak,/ to write,/ and/ to make/ our voices heard.” As the languages blend, so do the images. Mexican motifs—a genial skeleton, a painted dog, embroidered flowers—dance through the pages, keeping mother and son company on their journey, and the library shelves swoop and curve, embracing them. (Readers will recognize favorite titles among the carefully painted book covers.) Many books about immigration describe the process of making new friends and fitting in; this one describes what it’s like to become a creative being in two languages, and to learn to love in both. “We are two languages./ We are lucha./ We are resilience./ We are hope.” A Spanish-language version will be published simultaneously. Ages 4–8. Agent: Charlotte Sheedy, Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency.

From the first minute, it's clear this audiobook is special. Even without words, the lilting guitar music, the irresistible laugh of a baby, and the tinkling of wind chimes set the mood of a young Hispanic family with high hopes. Adriana Sananes narrates this picture book's simple text with a positive spirit. With sounds of birds and surf in the background, she describes the wonder of exploring a new country. With trepidation turning to delight, she tells of finding the free public library. An uplifting and conversational author's note tells Yuyi Morales's own story of immigrating to the United States. The only thing missing from this enchanting production is the artwork. Listen with the book in hand for the best experience. L.T. � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine