That is My Dream!

Picture book of Langston Hughes's "Dream Variation," 32 pages. Schwartz & Wade Books, 2017.

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The Power of Poetry

Most people can remember the first time they read a Langston Hughes poem - they are just so powerful. As Miyares' says in the illustrator's note, we are moved by "the raw power of poetry - its ability to peel back a facade and reveal deep truths that my be hard for us to see."

I love picture book illustrations of poetry, especially when the artist understands and has the skill to depict the heart's response to the truth behind the facade. This is one of those books - perfect.

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Langston Hughes

Hughes (1901-1967) was a poet, novelist, essayist, playwright and journalist, as well as a prominent leader of the Harlem Renaissance. This short summary simply does not give this artist his due -- Hughes is a monumental figure of 20th century American literature.

Daniel Miyares

Miyares is a critically acclaimed picture book author and illustrator with the Boston Globe calling Float, "a perfect wordless book." He also illustrated Surf's Up, by  Newbery Medalist Kwame Alexander. Miyares believes that our stories have the power to connect us all.

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Five Resilience-Building Habits for Children
Give Your Feelings Room
Be Kind to Yourself & Others
Think & Breathe
Cultivate Joy
Transform the Story

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Ideas for Making it Real

Peeling back facades, reaching the truth is essential in developing resilience. But I think dreaming big dreams is just as important, if not more so. Big dreamers often run into resistance and naysayers and bumps in the road - these are perfect opportunities to practice resilience muscles.

After reading That is My Dream! with your kiddo, ask if he has any dreams for the future. If your child is young, like my Noodle and Little Guy, his dreams may be something quite close in time and be related to candy, playing or candy.  But it's worthwhile to begin asking this question early - it will be so much easier to keep the conversation about big dreams going as they grow older if your kiddo knows his dream is important to you. And it is more likely you will learn of the obstacles your child must overcome to make their dream a reality.

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