Fatima and the Dream Thief

by Rafik Schami, Els Cools (Illustrator), Oliver Streich (Illustrator)

Fatima accepts the challenge to work for the mean-tempered lord of the castle who steals the dreams of anyone who becomes angry with him.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Born in Damascus, Syria in 1946, Rafik Schami (Arabic: رفيق شامي) is the son of a baker from an Arab-Christian (originally Aramaic) family. His schooling and university studies (diploma in chemistry) took place in Damascus. From 1965, Schami wrote stories in Arabic. From 1964-70 he was the co-founder and editor of the wall news-sheet Al-Muntalak (The Starting-Point) in the old quarter of the city. In 1971 Schami moved to Heidelberg and financed further studies by typical guest worker jobs (factories, building sites, restaurants). He earned his doctorate in chemistry in 1979 and began career in the chemical industry. In his spare time, he co-founded the literary group Südwind in 1980 and was part of the PoLiKunst movement. Schami became a full time author in 1982. He lives in Kirchheimbolanden with his Bavarian wife and son and he holds dual citizenship. Schami's books have been translated into 20 languages

Reviews

[Haley · Rating 1 out of 5]

The illustrations are lovely, but I just thought the story itself was a bit odd. Just not my favorite out of children's stories that I've read.

[Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

eine der prägendsten Geschichten aus meiner frühen Kindheit

[Kelli Ryne · Rating 4 out of 5]

What fascinates me most about this story is the author's intent in his story telling. He has been noted as saying that storytelling is an escape from reality, but allows the reader to come back to reality, better equipped. I believe this is exemplified in Fatima and the Dream Thief. Students have the opportunity to see differences in socio-economic status and what different demands this places on children, though keeping the story lighthearted in a whimsical way. Students may discuss the metaphor of the dream thief who has stolen the voice and dreams of the old woman who is doomed to work for him, and the pluck and dreams of the young girl who saves her. It can directly speak to each person's responsibility in society, lest we become "dream thieves" to one another.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely children's story by a Syrian writer. The story brings children into the Arab culturs. The illustrations are fun and engaging.