Dandelion's Dream

This wordless fantasy unfolds at night, and its matte black pages contrast dramatically with stylized, crisp-edged artwork and wispy puffs of light that Tanaka (Sparrow Girl) creates in white and yellow. Over a single page turn, a dandelion in full bloom dreams it has become a miniature lion, its shining petals transforming into the lion's mane. The lion faces readers with an antic smile and does a little dance step, delighted with its new form. It dashes joyously out into the world, drinking up new experiences: a train ride, a journey on a sheep and a sailing ship, a jarring arrival in a big city, which is improved by a trip to a movie theater (a piece of popcorn donated by a friendly girl is almost as big as the lion, who sits dwarfed by the seat). The final sequence of return to the dandelion field vaults into silent visual play that's sudden and joyous. Set free from the rules of the physical universe, Tanaka's solo debut plays with images and forms suggested by the natural world as the dandelion's dream comes to an end in this short, ethereal journey. Ages 3-7. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Feb.)

PreS-Gr 1--A tiny lion materializes in a dandelion patch in this wordless picture book with dreamy and gently fantastical appeal. The dandy lion whisks off from the field and onto a train. Serendipitously finding itself thrust in one adventure after the next, the tiny lion experiences kindness from unexpected places, dodges terrifying situations among the hustle and bustle of a city, and finds joy piloting a child's toy airplane in a park. Eventually, it floats into a meadow in the countryside and becomes a dandelion puff. Vibrant yellow, colored digitally, creates a striking contrast to the dreamlike landscapes rendered in charcoal. The landscapes and objects are perfectly shaded in charcoal grays and blacks, giving readers just enough detail to identify where the lion has landed. The yellow mane of the lion is reminiscent of a dandelion and acts as a frame of focus for the lion's face, which conveys the changing moods and tone of the story. VERDICT A clever and beautifully rendered wordless tale that will captivate young readers as they float along with dandelions in the circle of life.--Mindy Hiatt, Salt Lake County Library Services

"Tanaka's point seems to be that when someone is willing to lend a hand, a dream can really take flight." —Shelf Awareness Pro