Dreamers

by Yuyi Morales

Hardcover, 2018

Status

Available

Publication

Neal Porter Books (2018), Edition: Illustrated, 40 pages

Description

"An illustrated picture book autobiography in which award-winning author Yuyi Morales tells her own immigration story"--

Media reviews

Dreamers is a powerful statement that immigrants don’t leave their languages and cultures behind while they explore new worlds.

User reviews

LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
Inspired by her own story of crossing a bridge, her infant son on her back, and finding herself an immigrant to the United States, celebrated author and artist Yuyi Morales explores being a newcomer in a strange new place in this beautiful picture-book memoir. Not able to speak the language at
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first, making many mistakes along the way, she and her son eventually find a home at their local library, where they discover the wonder of having a practically limitless supply of books at their disposal. Here, as they become immersed in the world of children's books, they slowly learn English, and begin to feel more at home in their new country...

Reading Dreamers, I was reminded of expatriate Turkish newspaper columnist Zeynep Tufekci, who in a 2016 pean to American infrastructure, described how astonished she was to encounter a public library for the first time, as she was used to libraries being incredibly rare, and off-limits to the populace (see her "Why the Post Office Makes America Great," in The New York Times). In much the same way, Morales describes the library that she and her son encountered as a magical place, in her author's afterword. I think many people in the Unites States take these wonderful amenities for granted, little realizing how rare they are in some other countries, or how proud they should feel, that they function so well. With the national debate about immigration currently, here in the United States, Morales' book couldn't be any more topical, politically speaking - even the title, Dreamers, references an aspect of that debate - but although this is an immigrant story (and an excellent one!), it is the role of the library, and of children's books, that really stood out to me. The artwork is gorgeous, and depicts numerous beloved titles for kids, from picture-books to novels. I thought it was a particularly nice touch that Shaun Tan's The Arrival, which is also an immigrant story, was referenced visually, toward the close of the book. Recommended to fellow Yuyi Morales fans, to anyone looking for stories about immigrants to the United States, or for those seeking picture-books which celebrate the library, and the power of children's literature.
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LibraryThing member Lisa2013
She mentions my San Francisco library branch and other branches I’ve used, as ones she and her son used! San Francisco is in this book in a big way.

The final 4 pages are her story (so touching and inspirational!) and a long bibliography of books meaningful to the author (woe to my growing to read
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list but many of the books I’ve also already loved and some are apropos of the topic of this book) and there is a wonderful short section about how she created the art for this book. Having that information cemented my 5 star rating.

Great immigration story and it’s sorely needed right now. I can recommend this book to all picture book readers. A love letter to libraries and to books so recommended to those who love them. I appreciated how she mentioned a librarian and library branch by name when relating one event. I enjoyed the bit of humor, and mostly the heartfelt account.

Gorgeous art and fits 100% perfectly with this story. I particularly relished the pictures of libraries and books, including some specific books. The art by itself isn’t my very favorite aesthetically but I love it in the context of the author’s story. I spent a lot of time looking at the many lovely details included in the pictures. I appreciated so much that she tells her story and turns around right in the book and asks her readers/viewers to tell their stories.

Highly recommended for all immigrants, all who wish or need to understand the immigrant experience, especially regarding people who don’t at first speak/read the language of their new homes, book lovers, library lovers, and the children of San Francisco; this book is dedicated to them.

4-1/2 stars
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LibraryThing member quirkylibrarian
lavishly illustrated and heartfelt without veering for a moment into preachy
LibraryThing member wichitafriendsschool
Written and illustrated by Yuyi Morales. This is a beautifully illustrated book of a woman and child immigrants in a new and unfamiliar land. Confused and unable to communicate in this new world, the woman does the best that she can yet she makes many mistakes. Accidentally, they wander inside a
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library and their world is suddenly opened up. The library is a place of safety and a place of purpose as it helps her learn English.
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LibraryThing member RaeganZuyus
This book was absolutely beautiful. From the illustrations to the story being told I was consumed with the authors story and the journey she took to find a better life for her and her son. I would use this book in my class to show they bravery that it takes to immigrate to America and how hard the
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journey can be so we always need to be accepting and welcoming to everyone.
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LibraryThing member reader1009
diverse picture book (for preschool age and up, Latinx immigrant mother and child)
beautiful illustrations, beautiful story. Appeals to adults especially but can also resonate with children.
LibraryThing member ppolanco
I think this book was beautiful and I really enjoyed it. The story is very meaningful as it showcases immigrating to another country and completely starting from scratch. New place, new languages, new things to learn everyday. I loved this book and I thought the illustrations were incredible.
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Simple book with a beautiful story to it. It was so powerful to see how they learned new language through books and found a comfort in them that helped them develop their own sense of belonging in the world. I will definitely be using this in my future classroom. This multicultural book can help introduce the topic of immigration and also the power of books.
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LibraryThing member MarlenePreciado
This book was great. The illustrations were also very beautiful. I love that this book speaks on finding a home in a new place and taking different things and making them you own. Great book!
LibraryThing member jennybeast
Beautiful. Simple, but captures the terrible hardships of immigration and Morales' fascination with books, especially picture books in a gorgeous way.

Awards

A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book (Picture Books — 2018)
Kirkus Prize (Finalist — Young Readers' Literature — 2018)
Audie Award (Finalist — 2019)
Georgia Children's Book Award (Finalist — Picturebook — 2021)
BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (Picture Books — 2018)
Monarch Award (Nominee — 2021)
Charlotte Zolotow Award (Highly Commended Title — 2019)
Virginia Readers' Choice (Nominee — Primary — 2021)
Anna Dewdney Read-Together Award (Honor Book — 2019)
Pura Belpré Award (Winner — Illustration — 2019)
Iowa Goldfinch Award (Nominee — 2021)
Notable Children's Book (Younger Readers — 2019)
Penn GSE's Best Books for Young Readers (Selection — Picture Books — 2018)

Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

2018

Physical description

11.32 inches

ISBN

0823440559 / 9780823440559

Local notes

Copy 2: Donated by the MacDonald Family.

Other editions

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