Review: The Pajamas of My Dreams by Laurie Collins

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

Inspired by the Pajama Drive of children’s service agency Cradles to Crayons, librarian Laurie Collins and fine artist Margie Florini have created a soulful story illustrated in beautiful cut-paper collage that depicts children all tucked in their beds, wondering, “What will I be when I grow up?”
As the children drift off to sleep they ponder what their futures hold; they dream of becoming artists, professional hockey players, doctors or master chefs. Tomorrow’s bakers see cupcakes and confections sprinkled on the pajamas of their dreams, while budding entomologists envision ants and butterflies on theirs. This classic picture book also considers those who don’t have the luxury of such dreams—children’s whose wishes are simpler and more immediate.
At the heart of The Pajamas of My Dreams is the simple and endearing message that all children deserve to be safe and warm in their beds, and have the chance to reach their full potential.

MY TAKE:
What's a better bedtime children's book than one about kid's dreaming about their future professions?

In The Pajamas of My Dreams, we see the hopes and dreams of children as they drift to sleep. Each illustration/collage matches a verse on the previous page which details the child's ambitions.

The ambitions mentioned range from the usual, like doctor and writer, to the more unusual like entomologist and mathematician. This is a great idea since it opens up kids to the idea of careers that don't get a lot of attention. And if the kids' dream career is mentioned in the book, so much the better, as it will make the book relateable to them.

The cutout illustrations are charming. They're almost like decoupages, and I don't think I've ever seen a children's book that makes use of this style as well as this book did.

Some of the words used are a little complex for younger kids, so adults may need to explain them.
Thanks to NetGalley and Three Bean Press for the e-copy.

THE GOOD:

1. The illustration/collages are interesting.
2. The careers range from the common to the uncommon.
3. The descriptions for each career are pretty vivid.

THE BAD:

1. Some of the words may be too hard for younger kids.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

I am chopping a garden of vegetables - onions, peppers and tomatoes - to arrange and bake on my pizza pie.

READ IT IF:

1. Your kid is starting to develop a fascination for a future career course.
2. Your child wants to be a lot of things when he grows up.
3. You like children's books with unusual illustration styles.

RATING:


SOUNDS INTERESTING?