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The Dreamer
The luminous, instantly recognizable paintings of Barry Moser illustrate a work that follows a painter as he dreams of earth, trees, sky, and animals and then awakens to create them.
1 pages, Library Binding
First published October 1, 1993
About the author
Cynthia Rylant
380 books870 followersCynthia Rylant is an American author, poet, and librarian whose deeply felt books for children and young adults have made her one of the most beloved voices in contemporary literature. Writing across picture books, novels, short stories, nonfiction, and poetry, she has published more than one hundred works, many of them rooted in memory, family, solitude, and the emotional landscapes of ordinary life. Her fiction often draws from her upbringing in West Virginia and reflects the textures of Appalachian life with unusual tenderness and clarity.
Raised in modest circumstances, Rylant spent much of her childhood with her grandparents in a rural setting that later became central to her imagination as a writer. Those early years, marked by hardship as well as warmth, shaped the emotional honesty and quiet resilience that define her work. She later studied English and library science, and after working as a waitress, librarian, and teacher, she began publishing books inspired by the world she had known so intimately.
Among her most acclaimed works are Missing May, which received the Newbery Medal, and A Fine White Dust, a Newbery Honor Book. She also earned Caldecott Honors for When I Was Young in the Mountains and The Relatives Came. For younger readers, she became especially well known through the enduring Henry and Mudge series, as well as other popular books and series that combine gentleness, humor, and emotional depth.
Rylant's writing is distinguished by its compassion for lonely, searching, or overlooked characters, and by its reverence for animals, nature, and small human connections. Whether writing about grief, wonder, childhood, or belonging, she brings a lyrical simplicity that resonates across generations. Her books continue to offer comfort, recognition, and beauty to readers of all ages. She remains a singular literary presence in children's literature and beyond today.
Raised in modest circumstances, Rylant spent much of her childhood with her grandparents in a rural setting that later became central to her imagination as a writer. Those early years, marked by hardship as well as warmth, shaped the emotional honesty and quiet resilience that define her work. She later studied English and library science, and after working as a waitress, librarian, and teacher, she began publishing books inspired by the world she had known so intimately.
Among her most acclaimed works are Missing May, which received the Newbery Medal, and A Fine White Dust, a Newbery Honor Book. She also earned Caldecott Honors for When I Was Young in the Mountains and The Relatives Came. For younger readers, she became especially well known through the enduring Henry and Mudge series, as well as other popular books and series that combine gentleness, humor, and emotional depth.
Rylant's writing is distinguished by its compassion for lonely, searching, or overlooked characters, and by its reverence for animals, nature, and small human connections. Whether writing about grief, wonder, childhood, or belonging, she brings a lyrical simplicity that resonates across generations. Her books continue to offer comfort, recognition, and beauty to readers of all ages. She remains a singular literary presence in children's literature and beyond today.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
October 30, 2022
The pictures are not what I expected, but the analogy and ending made this a fabulous book!
August 13, 2010
An artist dreams of creating a world, and does: stars, earth, oceans, grasses, trees, animals. But the world lacks something that will see, and understand - something like the creator, an artist. So he sketches an artist, and the world begins to fill up with artists. Barry Moser's watercolor illustrations are terrific, as usual.
April 22, 2020
Contemporary Realistic
K-3rd grade reading level
The pictures in this book are so pretty! I loved reading through this book. It was so meaningful and has great pictures. I am always a sucker for books with deep stories, and I loved this book's.
K-3rd grade reading level
The pictures in this book are so pretty! I loved reading through this book. It was so meaningful and has great pictures. I am always a sucker for books with deep stories, and I loved this book's.
June 12, 2011
This was a clever and unexpected telling of the creation story.
January 17, 2022
“There once was a young artist who lived all alone, quietly, and who spent his days as most young artists do: daydreaming.”
Lovely picture book by prolific writer Cynthia Rylant, who reimagines the Creation story through the lens of God as a young artist. She wisely skips the Garden of Eden and Eve’s downfall and focuses on the artistry at hand and how God is a true creative and maker.
“The one day – as often happens with the young artist – he decided he would make what he saw in his mind.”
Published in 1993, the book is timeless and timely. An ode to the power of beauty and a tribute to artists everywhere. Barry Moser’s dreamy watercolors help carry the story along and set a tone of working alone to create a lush and wonderful world—be that an inner world or an actual one.
Lovely picture book by prolific writer Cynthia Rylant, who reimagines the Creation story through the lens of God as a young artist. She wisely skips the Garden of Eden and Eve’s downfall and focuses on the artistry at hand and how God is a true creative and maker.
“The one day – as often happens with the young artist – he decided he would make what he saw in his mind.”
Published in 1993, the book is timeless and timely. An ode to the power of beauty and a tribute to artists everywhere. Barry Moser’s dreamy watercolors help carry the story along and set a tone of working alone to create a lush and wonderful world—be that an inner world or an actual one.
April 20, 2020
Genre: Low Modern Fantasy
Reading Level: K-1
I loved this book!! It had wonderful pictures and it was a very creative retelling of the creation story. I recommend this story to young children when the concept of God is being told to them. Maybe this book would also be a great read to children before bed, so that way the child has all night to think about it and how it may relate to God. Overall, I really enjoyed this book because of the creative retelling and the beautiful pictures!
Reading Level: K-1
I loved this book!! It had wonderful pictures and it was a very creative retelling of the creation story. I recommend this story to young children when the concept of God is being told to them. Maybe this book would also be a great read to children before bed, so that way the child has all night to think about it and how it may relate to God. Overall, I really enjoyed this book because of the creative retelling and the beautiful pictures!
September 30, 2024
This is a short, sweet story geared to both children and adults. It is about a young artist who lives alone. This artist does a lot of dreaming and wondering. Each time he wakes up from a dream he draws what he has seen in the dream. Soon he has a whole world drawn including people, animals and many, many stars. It doesn't take long to read and younger children will love having it read to them. Beautiful book!
March 8, 2020
Modern Fantasy
Kindergarten - 1st grade reading level
This book would be perfect for school teaching or as a bible study lesson. The beautiful illustrations show how God has worked. It is also a great way to show immigration to children. Overall I think this book would be amazing as a night time read.
Kindergarten - 1st grade reading level
This book would be perfect for school teaching or as a bible study lesson. The beautiful illustrations show how God has worked. It is also a great way to show immigration to children. Overall I think this book would be amazing as a night time read.
April 22, 2020
The 1993 Newbery medalist Cynthia Rylant teams up with American Book Award-winning painter Barry Moser for this stunning picture book about an artist who dreams the earth, trees, sky, and animals--then wakes to create them. Gracefully told and gloriously illustrated, here is a picture book with enduring and universal appeal. Full color.
April 22, 2019
Realistic fiction
K-2nd grade
I thought this was a very beautifully illustrated book and thought it represented nature very well. It was a good read and I felt like the colors were beautifully illustrated. I thought it was an interesting way to describe the creation of earth and nature.
K-2nd grade
I thought this was a very beautifully illustrated book and thought it represented nature very well. It was a good read and I felt like the colors were beautifully illustrated. I thought it was an interesting way to describe the creation of earth and nature.
September 23, 2019
Genre: Modern Fantasy Grade: K-5
I like how this book is initially about the beginning of creation. Though it is in a creators point of view and mentions how the created is God at the end of the book.
I like how this book is initially about the beginning of creation. Though it is in a creators point of view and mentions how the created is God at the end of the book.
February 11, 2020
Early Primary
Contemporary Realistic Fiction
This book is a sweet way of admiring aspects of nature, and depicts them in a beautiful way. It's a creative way to subtly explain the Creation story to young children who may not be familiar with it. I think it's a great (and easy!) read.
Contemporary Realistic Fiction
This book is a sweet way of admiring aspects of nature, and depicts them in a beautiful way. It's a creative way to subtly explain the Creation story to young children who may not be familiar with it. I think it's a great (and easy!) read.
April 19, 2020
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Grade Range: Primary (2-3)
I liked the themes of hope and perseverance in this story. While I am not creative, my students will be and this book encourages readers to create what they can. I liked this book because of the beautiful illustrations and easy to follow story.
Grade Range: Primary (2-3)
I liked the themes of hope and perseverance in this story. While I am not creative, my students will be and this book encourages readers to create what they can. I liked this book because of the beautiful illustrations and easy to follow story.
September 19, 2017
Deeply moving creation story with god as artist.
June 18, 2024
Gorgeous illustrations, but just not a story for me.
April 7, 2025
In this book, an artist creates the world from his imagination. Clearly a comparison to God. I thought it was beautiful.
December 2, 2019
o Grades K-2
o Realistic fiction
o This sweet book is from an interesting point of view. It makes the reader think about how things are made. I love how in the end the author makes the statement of God being the original created.
o Realistic fiction
o This sweet book is from an interesting point of view. It makes the reader think about how things are made. I love how in the end the author makes the statement of God being the original created.
October 18, 2016
Wonderful book with beautiful illustrations about creation.
October 3, 2019
Genre: traditional literature
Appropriate Grade Range: 1-2
Review: The illustrations in this book were excellent. I really like how they told the story of creationism. The pictures made the story great. Most people have hear the stories before but this one made it interesting.
Appropriate Grade Range: 1-2
Review: The illustrations in this book were excellent. I really like how they told the story of creationism. The pictures made the story great. Most people have hear the stories before but this one made it interesting.
February 26, 2019
Grade Level: 3rd-5th
Genre: Realistic Fiction
I thought this was a beautifully written and illustrated book. I enjoyed the interesting take on the story of creation and thought the author did a great job retelling the story in their own unique way! I also loved the beautiful pictures and the creative use of art throughout the book.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
I thought this was a beautifully written and illustrated book. I enjoyed the interesting take on the story of creation and thought the author did a great job retelling the story in their own unique way! I also loved the beautiful pictures and the creative use of art throughout the book.
March 1, 2020
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Grade Level: K-2
I really like this book. I love how the illustrations add so much to the story. I also like how the story line is easy for young children to follow, and how this story follows a similar storyline as the creation story in the Bible. I also really like how this story ends with the idea that God made all of us as artists that could admire the work He had done, and that we are all His children. Really great book!
Grade Level: K-2
I really like this book. I love how the illustrations add so much to the story. I also like how the story line is easy for young children to follow, and how this story follows a similar storyline as the creation story in the Bible. I also really like how this story ends with the idea that God made all of us as artists that could admire the work He had done, and that we are all His children. Really great book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2014
You can also read this review on my blog, Caught Read Handed.
I suppose I should have realized as I flipped through that this book was a retelling of the story of creation. This book depicts God as an artist who daydreams and creates the things he sees in his dreams.
“As he dreamed in his mind, he would see something he hadn’t seen before. Something beautiful. Something new.”
He sees stars and decides to cut them out of paper, and then he has the heavens.
“This is the story of the one who dreamed the world.”
The dreamer needs someone to see the beautiful things he has made, so he creates humankind.
I really enjoyed the absolutely beautiful illustrations in this book. I could see myself framing some of these on my wall. Moser’s illustrations perfectly match the story; they might have even made the story more beautiful for me. The prose was gorgeous as well.
The book has a kind of dreamlike quality to it, much like the daydreams that the artist is having in which he imagines all of these wonderful new creations he can make. The reader floats along on clouds with the dreamer. The story was quite enjoyable and very creative.
I suppose I should have realized as I flipped through that this book was a retelling of the story of creation. This book depicts God as an artist who daydreams and creates the things he sees in his dreams.
“As he dreamed in his mind, he would see something he hadn’t seen before. Something beautiful. Something new.”
He sees stars and decides to cut them out of paper, and then he has the heavens.
“This is the story of the one who dreamed the world.”
The dreamer needs someone to see the beautiful things he has made, so he creates humankind.
I really enjoyed the absolutely beautiful illustrations in this book. I could see myself framing some of these on my wall. Moser’s illustrations perfectly match the story; they might have even made the story more beautiful for me. The prose was gorgeous as well.
The book has a kind of dreamlike quality to it, much like the daydreams that the artist is having in which he imagines all of these wonderful new creations he can make. The reader floats along on clouds with the dreamer. The story was quite enjoyable and very creative.
April 19, 2020
Genre: Traditional Literature
Grade: K-2nd
The Dreamer is a wonderful retelling of the creation story from the book of Genesis. The Dreamer would be a wonderful book for any Sunday school class or Bible study with early elementary school students. The brightly painted pictures show all of God's creations with splendor. Cynthia Rylant and Barry Moser did a wonderful job of retelling the creation story in The Dreamer.
Grade: K-2nd
The Dreamer is a wonderful retelling of the creation story from the book of Genesis. The Dreamer would be a wonderful book for any Sunday school class or Bible study with early elementary school students. The brightly painted pictures show all of God's creations with splendor. Cynthia Rylant and Barry Moser did a wonderful job of retelling the creation story in The Dreamer.
May 31, 2010
I swoon for Barry Moser, especially after meeting him one day at Waterstone's and discovering we shared the same disdain for the "FICTION" section circa 1993. We just didn't believe that anything being printed then as "FICTION" was terribly better than anything being printed in kids' lit. In fact, we were adamant in our belief that kids' lit was kicking "FICTION"s snooty tuckus.
So, I'll jump all over a Moser-illustrated book any day of the week. The Dreamer is a simple and nice retelling of the Christian story of Creation. God is a daydreamer and artist who languidly builds the world using paintbrushes and scissors. The patient words and stunning watercolors generate feelings of love and inclusiveness. As a non-Christian, I didn't find the text or ideas within offensive at all. I was very glad to light on this beautiful book again, 17 years later.
So, I'll jump all over a Moser-illustrated book any day of the week. The Dreamer is a simple and nice retelling of the Christian story of Creation. God is a daydreamer and artist who languidly builds the world using paintbrushes and scissors. The patient words and stunning watercolors generate feelings of love and inclusiveness. As a non-Christian, I didn't find the text or ideas within offensive at all. I was very glad to light on this beautiful book again, 17 years later.
January 15, 2014
The story, marvelously told beholds the concept of God as an artist who dreams of the stars and then the heavens become a reality, who dreams of the heavens that twinkled and shone and then stars appear, who made an earth and the artist held it in his hand and borrowed light and behold, the dynamic shape took form.
And, one by one, the earth is filled with marvel, of dry earth that is colorful and then blue water that the artist can float upon, and then there was green and trees and forests.
Waking from his dream like trance, the artist imagines every living thing and whales now inhabit the ocean, birds live in the trees and animals, large and small came forth.
Needing someone to see the beauty, the artist created humankind.
Highly creative and beautifully written and illustrated, this is a joy to behold.
And, one by one, the earth is filled with marvel, of dry earth that is colorful and then blue water that the artist can float upon, and then there was green and trees and forests.
Waking from his dream like trance, the artist imagines every living thing and whales now inhabit the ocean, birds live in the trees and animals, large and small came forth.
Needing someone to see the beauty, the artist created humankind.
Highly creative and beautifully written and illustrated, this is a joy to behold.
December 2, 2019
4/5 stars
3-6th grade
Realistic fiction
I thought that when we read this book in class it was very interesting and kept each of the students intrigued by what was going on. I loved this book because of the magnificent illustration! The storyline was amazing as it was about the creation of the world (in a Christian perspective), and I would completely recommend this book to anyone. It gave an easy understanding to what god did for us.
3-6th grade
Realistic fiction
I thought that when we read this book in class it was very interesting and kept each of the students intrigued by what was going on. I loved this book because of the magnificent illustration! The storyline was amazing as it was about the creation of the world (in a Christian perspective), and I would completely recommend this book to anyone. It gave an easy understanding to what god did for us.
May 24, 2009
Cynthia Rylant is a master of filling up ordinary words with deep, beautifully artistic meaning and linking them together to form a lovely story that can be short or long, sad or happy, each one of them diverse and significant in a sharply unique way.
A wide variety of readers will find "The Dreamer" to be a captivating and vividly telling picture book.
A wide variety of readers will find "The Dreamer" to be a captivating and vividly telling picture book.
July 15, 2010
The creation story told with hn artist decides to make what he sees in his head. Goes through 6 days of creation. Makes humans who are "his children" and they call him God.
Themes -- art, creation
The pictures in this book would be a good example of what watercolors can do. I would read this book and then have students create their own world with original vegetation and animals.
Themes -- art, creation
The pictures in this book would be a good example of what watercolors can do. I would read this book and then have students create their own world with original vegetation and animals.
October 5, 2012
I thought this book was great! I probably would not be allowed to read this in a public school, but if I was teaching in a Christian school, I would read this book and see how long it would take them to realize it is the story of creation, but with Rylant's version of it. The students could compare and contrast the book to the original Bible story.
April 17, 2021
Genre: Contemporary Realistic
Grades: K-3
This book’s illustrations and imagery were amazing. It really inspired me to think about creativity during creation and to look for God’s creativity when I am in nature. I think it captures the awesomeness of creation and caused me to view a story I had heard many times in a different way.
Grades: K-3
This book’s illustrations and imagery were amazing. It really inspired me to think about creativity during creation and to look for God’s creativity when I am in nature. I think it captures the awesomeness of creation and caused me to view a story I had heard many times in a different way.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews