In My Dreams I Can Fly

by Eveline Hasler, Käthi Bhend (Illustrator)

The transformative nature of spring is explored in the stunningly sophisticated art of Käthi Bhend.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1990

About the author

Eveline Hasler wurde in Glarus geboren, studierte Psychologie und Geschichte in Fribourg und Paris und war einige Zeit als Lehrerin tätig. Heute lebt sie im Tessin. Sie schreibt vor allem historische Romane, aber auch Lyrik, Kinderbücher, Kolumnen, Reportagen sowie Radio- und Zeitschriftenbeiträge. Ihr Werk wurde vielfach ausgezeichnet, unter anderem mit dem Schubart-Literaturpreis, dem Meersburger Droste-Preis für Dichterinnen und dem Justinus-Kerner-Preis. 1990/91 war sie Guest Lecturer am German Department der City University in New York. Ihre Bücher wurden bisher in zwölf Sprachen übersetzt.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five friends who all live underground - a grub, a beetle, two earth-worms, and a caterpillar - visit back and forth one winter in this beautifully illustrated picture-book, originally published in Switzerland as Im Traum kann ich fliegen. As the caterpillar slowly withdraws from the others, weaving a cocoon around herself, the remaining four friends are dismayed to discover that the "onion" put away by the grub, in anticipation of hard times, is greatly diminished. With their companion gone, and food scarce, it is a "terrible day." Luckily, spring is just around the corner, with some surprising transformations in store...

Although Eveline Hasler's narrative felt a little fractured to me, with attention divided between the story of the caterpillar, and that of the onion, I still enjoyed In My Dreams I Can Fly, due mostly to Käthi Bhend's beautiful artwork. I loved the underground vistas, and the many cozy scenes depicting the friends in their various little burrows. Bhend's color scheme is warm and inviting, her creatures endearing. Anyone looking for a good wintertime storybook could do a lot worse than this appealing little volume.

[Lara Lleverino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh such a beautiful book! Small animals anthropomorphized and their sweet friendship that helps them survive through winter.

[RWaggoner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely, whimsical illustrations. Moral of the story is a fallacy... grub will not be like caterpillar some day.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book but I don't think it has much appeal to younger kids, at least in a storytime setting.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unique, cozy little story with an unusual perspective--that of tiny underground critters. The illustrations are a joy to look at.

[SBC · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slightly surreal story of a group of bug friends getting through the winter. Very minute, detailed illustrations. It was a nice story.

[Spudpuppy]

Absolutely loved this... I so dearly want to live in this world. And each page is so gorgeously illustrated, I wish I could frame every single one of them on my wall...

[Leslie Preddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five little bugs are friends and settle into the ground together for the
winter. Throughout the winter they work together to survive, sharing
food and keeping each other's spirits up and just as they run out of
food and things look bad, spring arrives and dreams come true. The
delightful illustrations bring the tiny characters and underground
setting to life for readers young and old. Each viewing draws the
readers eyes to a new, charming detail not before noticed in the
artwork. This attractive picture book with its simple story of
friendship, teamwork and achieving dreams will appeal to many readers.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an exquisite little book. The illustrations are amazingly detailed and convey a sense of warmth of coziness. The story of insect friends surviving underground in winter is also very sweet and manages to have a positive "message" without being heavy handed or pedantic. As a child I would have poured over the details of the illustrations for hours...

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of North/South books seem to suffer in translation--my guess is the translators are fluent in both languages, but lack the grasp of how to put across a picture book for young kids.
This book also suffers from the pictures, yes, they are "exquisitely detailed" as the back flap gushes, but as so, they too have little child appeal. Disappointing.

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

not the typical book about animals in winter, this title is about insects holding out underground until spring. illustations are intricate and better off shared as a lap story than a group read aloud.

[Tina B · Rating 3 out of 5]

winter, bugs, insects, winter, spring

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A unique perspective. This story of underground friends living through the winter together is a lovely introduction to life cycles and spring. In addition, they are just fun friends.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the illustrations. The translation is a little sappy, especially at the end.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very detailed paintings show five insect friends passing the winter months underground.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story about changing seasons, caterpillar changing to a butterfly and about seeing your dreams come true.

[Kimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this book so much when i was a kid. i think every little kid will enjoy it, when their parents will read out of it. :)

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

What the heck did I just read? This is one of those books that just leaves you scratching your head. That and the illustrations were really small for the size of page.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wunderbares Kinderbuch fuer den Winter....und irgendwann kann vielleicht auch der Engerling fliegen.