When Pip is unable to fall asleep one hot summer night, she remembers the fantasy dream world her cousin, Joseph, told her about. Instantly, she is transported to a supermarket of types where shoppers dressed in their pajamas select from the shelves what kind of dream they will be having that night. Pip and Joseph reunite and begin playing with a dragon that breathes fire in the girl's face. They must chase the dragon through the dream shop and catch him so he can be safely put back in his place. With enough excitement out of the way, the two go back home. The next morning, Joseph rides his bike to Pip's house to give her a special gift from the night before.

The watercolor paintings are wonderful. The style gives them an almost dream-like quality that supports the material. However, the second 2-page spread features a close-up of the little girl in the center. Because of the binding the picture loses its effect and appears jumbled - the illustrator and/or editor should have anticipated this as well as making her nightgown a little longer and not quite so transparent. However, the text alternates between black and white because it is often laid over top of the illustrations making it quite difficult to read at times, especially for beginning readers. Still, the subject is entertaining and will help to prompt children's imaginations and discussions about dreams.

Why 4 stars?:
The concept was very well represented and it can spur many activities and discussions with even very young children. Older children may benefit from thinking about imagination in a new and different way. However, because the text can be hard to see at times, I had to take a star away.

An extended American family celebrates a traditional 4th of July, in this lovely picture book. Starting the day with a children's parade, enjoying pizza and popcorn, buying tickets for a raffle, then enjoying carnival activities, face painting, balloons, and finally ending the day with a barbecue, and concert under the stars with fireworks finale, the family has a wonderful time celebrating Independence Day. The illustrations are a little hazy, very nostalgic and timeless, with colors that depict the warmth and fun of the day. Any child who has ever attended a city park 4th of July celebration will recognize the activities depicted here. The text is short and simple enough to be included in a patriotic themed storytime for preschoolers. This will be a great addition to a holiday collection for which not that many books for children have been written.

My child brought this book home from his school library. I am in complete disbelief. This book is horribly insensitive and frightening for children of a parent involved with or anticipating involvement with our current war. Originally, I thought, well, maybe it just seems worse because of Enduring Freedom, but then I realized that the book was written during the Gulf War. I am so glad I previewed this book before reading it to my six year old. He would have had nightmares for quite a while. My husband is in the National Guard, so this tale of a mother leaving her child to find her wounded husband while the child is only able to think that perhaps he wouldn't see his father again would have done nothing more than scare him to death. Granted, the back cover tells us that this story takes place during the Civil War, but that is not what a child will focus on. The "happy" ending of the family reunited is only made more petrifying by the father having lost an arm. Give me a break. Perhaps, this story would have some redeeming quality if it was written for older kids, but it sure isn't picture book material. If you really feel compelled to read this to your child wait until the war is over.

Cecil's story was written by the sister of my English professor. It is simple but extraordinarily powerful. The book deals with a young boy's reaction as his father is wounded in the war, though I think it would be appropriate for any child who's parent has suffered an illness or injury. It concludes with the understanding that in the face of debilitating circumstances, we are fortunate simply to have each other.

Both the writing and the artwork are extraordinary--I would recommend it for any child.

Catalanotto's illustrations bring so much depth to this story of a child missing his father. His use of overlapping images to show the passage of time is beautiful. A moving book to have and treasure.