Delivering Dreams is a three-in-one wonder, with many extras that will delight children and those who read the book to their young ones. First, it is an engaging short story. Second, it is an artwork with rich, evocative illustrations on every page—and the pages are unusually large, each one an exciting display of bright, emotive pictures. And third, the book is a poem, inventive and expressive like the accompanying drawings. The story centers on a little girl walking every day to the mailbox, considering it just a chore until she begins to get letters from her Grandpa telling of faraway places—India, Venice, Turkey, Nepal—where Grandpa is roving. The illustrations show the many ways in which she is “transported” by her dreams to these enchanting climes. For example, we see her piloting a child-sized airplane, riding a charging steed, and surveying a golden road ahead in her tiny automobile. Then one day the letters stop coming—but they will be replaced by an even bigger surprise.
A treat for eyes, ears, and creative minds, this charming book fulfills the title’s promise. Preusch is both the storyteller and the illustrator of this innovative offering. She has matched her gently poetic tale with soft, glowing images certain to attract all imaginative children. One remarkable device the author has concocted is that of turning two pages into four-sided doubles that show an envelope on the outside which, when opened, unfolds into a panorama of postcards and pictures sent to the child by her wandering grandparent.
Well-known internationally for her artwork, Preusch is here debuting her talent as a writer of children’s books. Her book has already won several awards, including the Eric Hoffer Award: First Award Finalist, presaging a promising future for her in this new creative arena.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review