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Family
Dream
With new life comes infinite possibility in this companion to Wish and Hope , by Caldecott Award-winner Matthew Cordell.
In this stunning picture book, a gorilla family celebrates their young child by dreaming of everything their baby will encounter, who he will be, and what dreams he will eventually have. The simple but touching story perfectly expresses the emotions that parents often find difficult to put into words.
In this stunning picture book, a gorilla family celebrates their young child by dreaming of everything their baby will encounter, who he will be, and what dreams he will eventually have. The simple but touching story perfectly expresses the emotions that parents often find difficult to put into words.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published May 2, 2017
3 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Cordell
66 books171 followersMatthew Cordell is the acclaimed author and illustrator of the 2018 Caldecott winner Wolf in the Snow. He is also the author and illustrator of Trouble Gum and the illustrator of If the S in Moose Comes Loose, Toot Toot Zoom!, Mighty Casey, Righty and Lefty, and Toby and the Snowflakes, which was written by his wife. Matthew lives in the suburbs of Chicago with his wife, writer Julie Halpern, and their daughter, Romy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
February 17, 2020
A parent dreams of the future for a much-loved child.
If the last five minutes of Raising Arizona make you tear up . . . you might want to avoid this one.
If the last five minutes of Raising Arizona make you tear up . . . you might want to avoid this one.
July 31, 2017
This is a newer picture book based on the parent/child relationship and has similar feelings to Love You Forever with an animal angle. I found the pictures simple, but easy on the eye. I like the story and I feel this one might connect more to parents than children, however, to parents out there, this would be a nice one to own for the personal/nighttime bookshelf.
May 26, 2017
This concept book takes a sentimental journey through the parent-child relationship. Like LOVE YOU FOREVER, I believe the text will appeal more to parents than to children, but the illustrations are adorable for all ages. The babies in my life never asked about the day they were born, but this would be fantastic for those who do. As a parent, I re-experienced all of the emotions on this journey. The spare text packs a powerful punch. Yes, when a baby is born, night can become day. Everything feels possible in a way it has never felt before.
Perhaps to make it more relatable, the gorillas sleep on a "people" bed in a thatched cottage with tables, book shelves and a crib for baby. Gorilla lovers will note that the illustrations show a silverback (male), a female, and a baby, but using the gorillas instead of people lends a feeling of universality to the journey. The huge emotional moments are paired with soft, spattery dreamlike illustrations that expertly capture the raw feelings of these moments.
I recommend this book as a gift for expectant and new parents! I appreciate that it lacks LOVE YOU FOREVER's Lion King-esque circle of life and somewhat sad ending. There are moments of sadness in the book, but the resolution is a celebratory one.
My review is based on a review copy received from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was received.
Perhaps to make it more relatable, the gorillas sleep on a "people" bed in a thatched cottage with tables, book shelves and a crib for baby. Gorilla lovers will note that the illustrations show a silverback (male), a female, and a baby, but using the gorillas instead of people lends a feeling of universality to the journey. The huge emotional moments are paired with soft, spattery dreamlike illustrations that expertly capture the raw feelings of these moments.
I recommend this book as a gift for expectant and new parents! I appreciate that it lacks LOVE YOU FOREVER's Lion King-esque circle of life and somewhat sad ending. There are moments of sadness in the book, but the resolution is a celebratory one.
My review is based on a review copy received from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was received.
April 5, 2017
Similar to its companion book Wish, this picture book seems more aimed at an adult/parent audience. Perhaps not having children myself, I don't connect as strongly to it; however, the hope for the future and dream for the youth of today is still a universal emotion. The illustrations are striking, yet feel more raw in this story. Would be a good baby shower/graduation gift book.
January 8, 2026
I re-read this so I could cry again. It's perfect.
June 13, 2017
One of my earliest memories was reading Love You Forever by Robert Munsch, a picture book that reinforced the love a parent can have for their child.
I'm now decades older, but felt that same feeling of nostalgia and warmth again, when reading Dream by Matthew Cordell. Cordell lovingly dictates the growing relationship between a young addition to a gorilla family and the parents, and how the hopes and dreams of the parents help drive that relationship forward.
While the book is obviously centered around the lovely and small victories of a gorilla family, readers of all ages will recognize the general sentiment of pride and love that is felt by the parents. It's actually a perfect book for parents to read with their young kids, and sure to be enjoyable for many young readers.
With illustrations that are vibrant and rich, this is a surefire hit that will find it place on many shelves, for many generations to come. Highly recommend, full stop.
I'm now decades older, but felt that same feeling of nostalgia and warmth again, when reading Dream by Matthew Cordell. Cordell lovingly dictates the growing relationship between a young addition to a gorilla family and the parents, and how the hopes and dreams of the parents help drive that relationship forward.
While the book is obviously centered around the lovely and small victories of a gorilla family, readers of all ages will recognize the general sentiment of pride and love that is felt by the parents. It's actually a perfect book for parents to read with their young kids, and sure to be enjoyable for many young readers.
With illustrations that are vibrant and rich, this is a surefire hit that will find it place on many shelves, for many generations to come. Highly recommend, full stop.
October 19, 2017
Cordell, Matthew. Dream. Disney, 2017. $16.99. Content: G. PICTURE BOOK.
A gorilla parent lovingly dreams about who their new baby will be and what the baby will do. The journey their child will make and the dreams their child will dream. The sorrows, the joys, and the discovering new things. The entire child’s life in a few pages and then ending back at the beginning with the question, “Who will you be?”
The writing is lyrical and moving. The story is deceptively simple in its scope, but deeply perceptive of the human experience. The illustrations look almost scribbled and childlike in some places, but clearly recognizable what the author is trying to portray. I loved the dots of color that surrounded many of the illustrations and propelled the story on. A great book for toddlers and preschoolers and their adoring parents.
Pre-K-ADVISABLE. Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS.
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
A gorilla parent lovingly dreams about who their new baby will be and what the baby will do. The journey their child will make and the dreams their child will dream. The sorrows, the joys, and the discovering new things. The entire child’s life in a few pages and then ending back at the beginning with the question, “Who will you be?”
The writing is lyrical and moving. The story is deceptively simple in its scope, but deeply perceptive of the human experience. The illustrations look almost scribbled and childlike in some places, but clearly recognizable what the author is trying to portray. I loved the dots of color that surrounded many of the illustrations and propelled the story on. A great book for toddlers and preschoolers and their adoring parents.
Pre-K-ADVISABLE. Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS.
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
June 17, 2017
Dad Gorilla narrates the story of what parents feel and do, beyond caregiving, in the journey called growing up. Dad's dreams for his little gorilla open the world of what parenting means for young readers, it explores in a visual way what parents think, worry, and dream even when they are not with their children. This story will sit comfortably with every child, adoptive, foster, biological, because it is about the love and bond between parent and child, regardless of how the relationship was born. The illustrations are playful and the essence of a child's possibilities is captured in the rainbow-confetti aura that emanates from baby gorilla every time he is on the page. Wonderful conversations to be had about what that aura means for each of us!
January 10, 2019
This is the closest yet to success in this tricky I-love-you-my-child genre of picture books.
What makes it work for me is that the speaker is an "I" -- not a "we" (although the speaker acknowledges the "we" in a gorgeous way), thus making the story very clearly the parent's story. Which is fine!
I was so surely in its grip for so long -- right up until the jolt of waking up. ARG. I actually don't know how to "fix" this -- I understand the need to get us back to the "present" -- but I wasn't really in *that* kind of dream, so to "wake up" feels like a cheap writer's trick. And so not in keeping with the introspective lyricism that precedes it.
The art is super fun. Subdued silly. Perfect.
What makes it work for me is that the speaker is an "I" -- not a "we" (although the speaker acknowledges the "we" in a gorgeous way), thus making the story very clearly the parent's story. Which is fine!
I was so surely in its grip for so long -- right up until the jolt of waking up. ARG. I actually don't know how to "fix" this -- I understand the need to get us back to the "present" -- but I wasn't really in *that* kind of dream, so to "wake up" feels like a cheap writer's trick. And so not in keeping with the introspective lyricism that precedes it.
The art is super fun. Subdued silly. Perfect.
Read
November 4, 2019I got this book as a gift at my son's baby shower. Every time I read it I get tears in my eyes. It is the touching story of an expecting parents waiting for the baby to be born and they are dreaming about what their life will be like. What will they accomplish, who will they meet, what experiences will they have.
For a writing activity I would ask students to journal about dreams that they have for their life. What do they what to do? What do they hope for themselves? Who do they want to be? I would have the students write about themselves so that children who do not have parents involved would still feel comfortable in participating. Another writing idea for be for students to write the narration for a page.
For a writing activity I would ask students to journal about dreams that they have for their life. What do they what to do? What do they hope for themselves? Who do they want to be? I would have the students write about themselves so that children who do not have parents involved would still feel comfortable in participating. Another writing idea for be for students to write the narration for a page.
October 8, 2021
Parents dream of their newborn child’s future.
This picture book portrays a very loving parent-child bond from the parents’ point of view. It perfectly captures the sentiment with which parents imagine their small child’s future with love and hope. For that reason, it will appeal to parents and caregivers more than children.
The illustrations show a playful tenderness. I liked that the characters were gorillas. This not only provides a neutral slate for the reader into which to imagine him/herself, but it also acknowledges the sentience of humankind’s fellow primates, which is often disregarded and overlooked. As some of human beings’s closest animal relatives, they may dream for their offspring as well in their own way.
This picture book portrays a very loving parent-child bond from the parents’ point of view. It perfectly captures the sentiment with which parents imagine their small child’s future with love and hope. For that reason, it will appeal to parents and caregivers more than children.
The illustrations show a playful tenderness. I liked that the characters were gorillas. This not only provides a neutral slate for the reader into which to imagine him/herself, but it also acknowledges the sentience of humankind’s fellow primates, which is often disregarded and overlooked. As some of human beings’s closest animal relatives, they may dream for their offspring as well in their own way.
October 10, 2017
Summary:
Dream is about a father gorilla narrating the story of what his child's life will potentially be like. The family is blessed with a baby gorilla and when they sleep his da dreams of his baby's entire life. He pictures his youth, his struggles, the adventures he will endure, and how he will shine. He is so curious and excited to see what his child will grow up to be and until then he will keep dreaming.
Activity:
Take a moment to think of what you want to be when you grow up. Paint a picture, like the baby gorillas father did, and explain what you would be doing in the occupation. Also, explain why you chose that career.
Cordell, M. (2017). Dream. Los Angeles: Disney-Hyperion
Dream is about a father gorilla narrating the story of what his child's life will potentially be like. The family is blessed with a baby gorilla and when they sleep his da dreams of his baby's entire life. He pictures his youth, his struggles, the adventures he will endure, and how he will shine. He is so curious and excited to see what his child will grow up to be and until then he will keep dreaming.
Activity:
Take a moment to think of what you want to be when you grow up. Paint a picture, like the baby gorillas father did, and explain what you would be doing in the occupation. Also, explain why you chose that career.
Cordell, M. (2017). Dream. Los Angeles: Disney-Hyperion
June 6, 2017
Two parents dream about what life will look like for their little family. The story reminded me of Oh! The Places You'll Go mixed with Guess How Much I Love You by McBratney. I really liked that while the parents wonder what their child will grow up to be like, they also wonder what they will be like as parents. I don't know that I've run across a similar picture book that touches on this.
Ink and watercolor illustrations depict the small family as gorillas which just adds to the charm. Highly recommended for new parents and for sharing with PreK-2.
Ink and watercolor illustrations depict the small family as gorillas which just adds to the charm. Highly recommended for new parents and for sharing with PreK-2.
June 9, 2017
This heartwarming picture book is a celebration of the love, hopes, and dreams that parents have for their children. "On the night you were born, our world shined bright as the sun," begins the poetic text. The narrator shares the joy felt upon the arrival of the child, and of a dream about what the child would become and who the child would be. Illustrated beautifully using bamboo pen, India ink, and watercolor, this book would be a wonderful gift to new parents at a baby shower, Mother's Day, or Father's Day!
July 25, 2017
Here, Matthew Cordell has “brushed” a story in his unique style of sketch and color of the feelings and dreams of parents with a new child. Where will that child go, what will befall him or her? “A great journey was beginning on this very bright night” declares the parents as they hold their baby and look up at the stars. Holding love in their hearts, we see these parents dreaming of the future, holding close the present. This will make a wonderful gift.
March 24, 2021
Similar to its companion book, Hope, Dream is a love letter from a parent to a child describing all the hopes and dreams we expect our children will eventually encounter (friendship, a friend moving away, growing up, etc). In the book, the characters are gorillas and the parent actually envisions all these hopes and dreams while dreaming. Upon awakening, the parents find the gorilla baby in its crib and wonders "What will you dream?"
July 11, 2017
I think this book might have been marketed incorrectly. I could see this given as a baby shower present for new parents to read to their babies. It's got that feel and message. The pictures are lovely and colorful. For my four year olds, it was too abstract and they didn't really have any interest in it.
January 2, 2018
1/2/2018 ~~ Touching, though perhaps will be more enjoyed by parents than children. Consider using this, and it's companion Wish, as baby shower gifts.
Why I chose to read this book: Honorable mention in the "Most Touching" category from Minh Le - https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/...
Why I chose to read this book: Honorable mention in the "Most Touching" category from Minh Le - https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/...
April 27, 2019
A lovely book about the love parents have for a new baby and their dreams for his future. It kind of reminded me of a Hallmark card. The illustrator utilized complete anthropomorphism with a gorilla family who lives in the jungle. I think my favorite part was the polka-dot stars.
January 21, 2021
Another beautiful picture book from Cordell, and the second on his three book series about family.
Again this could easily be written for the parents just as much as the children.
The themes are real and relevant to so many, and the execution is very well done.
Cordell wins again!
Again this could easily be written for the parents just as much as the children.
The themes are real and relevant to so many, and the execution is very well done.
Cordell wins again!
February 8, 2022
This was very cute, but something about it felt a little... contrived? Like maybe it was specifically designed to pull at the heartstrings of new parents as a sell tactic? I feel bad making that kind of judgment but it definitely didn't feel like it was written for kids.
May 12, 2017
Very sweet book - one to read to your little guy for bed time. Great reminder of how wonderful children are. Optional Purchase. Gr. Preschool
May 18, 2017
A beautiful picture book, more for parents than for children, I think.
May 19, 2017
such a sweetly emotional book, packed with the hopes and aspirations any parent can connect with.
May 30, 2017
This book is a good gift book for new parents. Probably won't hold a little kids attention for very long though as it really speaks to the parents.
June 4, 2017
This is a beautiful book and is the perfect book for parents to share with their children. It would make a lovely gift book for your children as well.
July 8, 2017
Darling!
July 16, 2017
Darling! Going to open parent information night with it!!! Filled with possibility and hope.
October 4, 2017
This book is about a little one and what his parents dream of him, and for him.
Very poetic and lyrical.
Very poetic and lyrical.
November 25, 2017
Another great installment by Matthew Cordell!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews