The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan & Peter Sis

Neftali looks up to his father and is eager to please him, but everything that he does just seems to disappoint. Neftali's father disapproves of the little treasures that he stops to pick up wherever he goes: a pinecone, an old boot, a shell. His father is embarrassed by Neftali’s small size and stutter. But the most common reprimand Neftali hears is "Stop that incessant daydreaming!" Neftali wants to please his father, but how can he stop contemplating the world when it is full of such wonders? 

True to its title, this book has a lovely lyrical, dream-like quality. It reflects the personality of Neftali perfectly and this mood is enhanced by lines of verse and surreal drawings throughout the text.  Fellow daydreamers, writers, and artists will find inspiration in this story based on the childhood of the famous poet Pablo Neruda. 

The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan & Peter Sis

Erica's Picks
3rd - 6th Grade
Tags: Biography, Character Driven, People of Color, Poetry

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