Appelemando's Dreams

by Patricia Polacco

Appelemando loves to dream! The villagers think he will never amount to much, but his friends know better. They can see his dreams drift up from the top of his head and float into the sky.
Then, one rainy day, Appelemando's dreams are blown onto all the wet walls and roofs of the town, covering the houses and stores with fantastic pictures. The villagers are astonished and How could the children do such a thing! Not until Appelemando and his friends lose their way in the forest do the villagers recognize the wonder and value of Appelemando's special gift.
With her vibrant folk-art illustrations, Patricia Polacco draws young readers into Appelemando's magical world, where they will discover the importance of dreaming and the power of true friendship.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction, Friendship

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 18, 1991

About the author

Patricia Polacco is a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator with around seventy beloved and award-winning books to her credit, including The Keeping Quilt, Pink and Say, The Blessing Cup, Chicken Sunday, and Thank You, Mr. Falker. She resides in Michigan.

Reviews

[Ronyell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patricia Polacco is such an influential author that I have read most of her books and I actually stumbled upon this little gem called “Appelemando’s Dreams” on an episode of “Reading Rainbow” and I have really enjoyed it! “Appelemando’s Dreams” is a children’s book by Patricia Polacco which is about how a young boy named Appelemando can dream up of any kind of dreams in a drab village. “Appelemando’s Dreams” is a truly uplifting book that every child will enjoy!

Oh my goodness! This is one unique book by Patricia Polacco that I am definitely going to read over and over again! Patricia Polacco has done an excellent job at both illustrating and writing this book as it details a young boy’s desire to let his dreams loose! Patricia Polacco’s illustrations were just so beautiful and I loved the way that Appelemando’s dreams are drawn in a childlike way as there are various animals and objects floating above his head and the dreams seem to float on a blue mist, which makes the illustrations extremely creative. I loved the way that Patricia Polacco uses the power of individuality and friendship for this story and what I really enjoyed about Appelemando’s friendship with his friends is that his friends stood up for him even when the elders of the village were criticizing Appelemando, which truly showed what great friends Appelemando’s friends were to him. I also loved the fact that Appelemando’s friends accepted his dreams for what they are and not make fun of him because of his dreams. What really stood out for me was the fact that Appelemando’s dreams seem to represent his individuality from the village since the village is a drab place and Appelemando’s dreams are so colorful and fun.

All in all, “Appelemando’s Dreams” is a brilliant and creative book for children who love dreaming. I would recommend this book to children ages five and up since this book is little bit longer than any other children’s book.

Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prolific picture-book artist Patricia Polacco offers young readers a tribute to the power of dreaming, and to the creative process in general, in Appelemando's Dreams. The story of a day-dreamer, his four friends, and the trouble they run into with their village elders when the colorful emanations that issue from Appelemando's head when he dreams get stuck all over the surfaces of the town, it has something of the quality of a dream (a rather surreal one, at that) itself. The happy conclusion to the tale, in which the children become lost, and are only found again through those colorful emanations, is an affirmation of the importance - the necessity, even - of creativity.

I cannot say that Appelemando's Dreams is my favorite of Patricia Polacco's many picture-books. It felt just a little too message-laden for my taste, and although I would certainly agree with the message itself, somehow the manner in which it was communicated felt a little forced. That said, I think fans of Polacco and her art will still enjoy this one, particularly the contrast between the drab village, pre-dream, and its colorful counterpart, post-dream.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last Polacco book I read was an early autobiography, and this was one of the books mentioned in it. So, I know Polacco identified with dreamy Appelemando, who is appreciated by his four best friends, but not the rest of the villagers. I love how his dreams are made visible, just as art is, and how daydreams and art are given respect here. Lovely illustrations, creative concept.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

We've read many of Patricia Polacco's books and we really enjoy discovering new ones. This is a fantastic story of imagination and wonder.

The story is one large metaphor and I thought that it was interesting that someone who is criticized for being lazy and good-for-nothing brought so much color and joy to his community. We enjoyed reading this story together, but it was not our favorite of her stories.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read but not as good as her other books are..krb 4/6/17

[Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book read to 5th grade classes

Appelemando is dreamer who dreams in vivid colors. He and his four closest friends live in a drab, gray village where everything is dull to look at. The best thing is that Appelemando's friends can see his dreams! His dreams rise up above his head and they love to watch. His friends want to find a way to save his dreams so they can watch them anytime. They try to find a way to preserve his dreams and it turns into a fiasco in the village!

[Kay Mcgriff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful, whimsical story about the power of dreaming.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 5 out of 5]

8/3/12 ** Day 1 read aloud for my 4th graders. I was pleased with the response that this book generated. Kids seemed attentive and had good partner discussions at our stopping spots. I was also struck by the insight that a few of the kids showed when we charted the ideas that we learned from Appelemando and his friends (though of course, I'm not looking at the chart now, so I can't quote.)

As we continue with our read-alouds in the next week, I'll choose books that build on the themes of inclusion, appreciating differences, and dreaming.

[Andrea M · Rating 5 out of 5]

The town is cumbered by the mundane things of life. But Appelemando and his friends are enjoying a world in full color because of the ideas that are coming out of his head. When the townspeople find out about Appelemando's dreams they reject him. This shuts down his amazing ability. It is only because his friends have complete confidence in him that he is able to overcome the rejection and enjoy the beautiful gifts of his mind.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book about a boy who loves to dream but ends up painting the twon with the vibrant colors of his dreams. He comes to the rescue when the kids get lost in the forest. Great book about believing in yourself and sticking up for what you believe in. Very vibrant colors. Pretty realistic illustrations. Pages bleed into one another.

[Linda Lipko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely story of dreams that are beautiful images that start in the imagination and are felt vividly by Appelemando's close friends. While the townsfolk deride Appelemando, his close friends applaud and live in his dream world.

When the towns people learn the usefulness and beauty of his talent, their environment is filled with incredible, wonderful beauty.

[MissInformation · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enchanting. Appelemando, resident of a dreary town, dreams in vivid color and his dreams spring to life. They "stick" on the town walls- to the chgrin of the elders. They don't believe it was a dream. In the end, the dreamer saves the children of the town with his floating images.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't like this story as much as other books by Polacco. I find the story a little bare, and the moral (keep dreaming!) doesn't make sense when in this case you should keep dreaming because... your dreams will come alive... and let people find you when you're lost?

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read from Patricia Polacco. Unlike most of her other books, this one is solely a work of fiction. Taking place in a small drab forgotten town, where a young boy who is nagged about his "lazy ways" shows how truly necessary it is to dream big.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first Polacco book I read and the artwork was so amazing. I wanted to keep reading it over and over, but my student didn't really care. I mentioned it to the mom after class, and from then on, she gave me a new Polacco book for us to read each day.

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to teach kids to dream! The illustrations are also amazing in this book. They have a lot of color! Everytime Appelemando dreams, his dreams come out of the top of his head. His friends love to watch him dream because they see all of the beautiful colors and animals.

[Rose]

E Pol

[Nan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story. Great moral. Great illustrations.

[Powers Family · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story of the importance of dreaming and the power of belief and friendship.

[Heloyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dreams and imagination are important. Patricia Polacco paints another vivid picture with her beautiful folk-art illustrations.

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked when he was dreaming.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is wonderful because it reminds us to dream and that thru dreaming color comes to our black, white and grey lives.
and its dedicated to val lewis and hicklebees which is pretty cool

[stephanie roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

a beautiful book for young or old. dream. patricia polacco is one of my favourite children's authors. her books have humour and always a gut gripping poignant moment. you have been warned!

[Tifanie Bethel]

Great book for teaching making connections/building schema.

[Katrina Dreamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to read as an opening to a conversation about/unit on dreams!

[Amber Seifert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute book for younger kids. It really hits on the importance of imagination and creativity.- Inspiring!

[Mediaflo · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are doing two weeks of Patricia's books this summer.
Thank goodness for Titlewave here in Anchorage...I was able to purchase many of her titles for the kids
To own! We love ALL her books!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dreamer's fantasy. Wonderful passion and color in the story!

[The Reading Countess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appelemando and Patricia Polacco remind us to never let anyone discourage you from the power of your dreams.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot is a bit fantastical and quirky. This book highlights the value of true friends and dreaming big.