Dreamers

By Yuyi Morales
Published September 4, 2018

Why we chose this book:
To better understand what it might be like for someone to immigrate to the United States without being able to speak English. And we love libraries! Holiday House provided a review copy.

Mom's Review

A beautiful, personal story of how finding the local library helped Morales and her young son adjust to life in the United States and learn English together.

Dreamers is an autobiographical work of art and a testament to the indispensability of public libraries, not to mention a humanizing depiction of immigrants. Morales shows a few of the difficulties that she and her little one encountered as a result of their lack of English, followed by her support at the local library, and finally the fruit her visits there bore. She describes herself and her son as dreamers when they imagine themselves undertaking fantastic adventures based on the books they read together.

When I told T that we were going to read a book about a little boy and his mom who love going to the library, he asked, "It is about you and me?" I explained that it is not, and asked why he thought so. His response: "Because we love going to the library!" Children (or adults for that matter) can identify with Morales's and her son's love of the library, enjoyment of books, and imaginations. At its most basic, this colorful creation shows that despite outward differences, people from all over have the same dreams and hopes, and same love for sharing stories. I would also like to add that there is a bit of Spanish in the book (only a few words total). I don't speak Spanish, and did not know what the words meant, but it didn't matter. The spirit of the story is clear, and I feel like the incorporation of Spanish underscores the point for non-Spanish speakers that lacking a language, while challenging, does not diminish one's ability to imagine.

I highly recommend Dreamers, for the beautiful artwork, message, and prose.

Son's Review
(Age: 3 and 1/2 years)
Before reading, we discussed the questions on the inside of the jacket flap:
Mom: What if you dreamed of a new life and it came to you?

Son: Then what I would do is I would examine it.

Mom: And what if that new life led you to a new country?

Son: Then I would speak their language.

Mom: What if you felt alone and ignored?

Son: What does that mean?

Mom: What if nobody gave you any attention, nobody talked to you?

Son: I would speak their language.

Mom: But what if you didn't? Have you ever been somewhere you didn't speak their language?

Son: Yes, Germany.

Mom: Did that make things hard or easy for you? What was hard?

Son: Hard. Since I don't really speak their language and I don't really understand it.

Mom: What if you had to make that new place your home?

Son: I don't know. Then I would just not do anything with the people who weren't my friends. I would do something with my friends.

Mom: What if you found your home in a world of books?

Son: Then I would read all day and night!

After reading:
Mom: How do you think they learned English?

Son: By reading.

Mom: Do you learn new words from reading?

Son: Yes.

Mom: Me too.

Mom: How did this book make you feel?

Son: Happy. It was exciting at the beginning. Then it was intense in the story. Then it was all friends at the end.

Mom: And if you met the little kid at the library, what would you say?

Son: I would say, "What's your name?" Then I would make friends with him.

Mom: And what if that little kid couldn't understand your words?

Son: Then I would find out his language. Then I would speak his language.

Mom: What if you didn't know his language? Is there a way to make friends without using words?

Son: Yes, by sharing...toys.

Mom: If you were at the library together, what might you share?

Son: I would share books.

Mom: Who should read this book? Why?

Son: All of my friends. Because they love me.

Mom: What is the greatest part of the book?

Son: When they go to the library!