The Dream Train: Poems for Bedtime
by Sean Taylor (Author) Anuska Allepuz (Illustrator)
A dreamy treasure trove of thirty bedtime poems to snuggle over together--and return to night after night.
When night arrives and the birds swoop home to nest, it's time to have a bath, put on pajamas, brush teeth, and settle in for sleep.
This soothing collection of Sean Taylor's original verse and rhyme for the very young explores the ritual of bedtime with warmth, tenderness, and gentle humor. Thirty poems in many styles, from shape poems to free verse to ballad poems, are divided into three sections. From sleepy bats to dreaming ducks, from a favorite blanket to the chugga! chugga! of a dream train coming down the tracks, these imaginative variations on a timeless theme--brought to life in soft, shimmering illustrations--resonate with pure emotion, inviting sleepyheads of every stripe to indulge in sweet dreams.
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PreS-Gr 3--This collection of 30 one- or two-page poems moves from night's arrival to dreamtime. As twilight deepens, children reunite with family members amid cozy routines. They fall asleep to a grandpa's guitar, the warmth of a grandma's hand-stitched blanket, and the soft music of story time. Though the bouncy squirrels "think sleeping is totally dumb," restless activities give way to sleepy contentment and dreams. With soothing repetition and alliteration, most poems make excellent read-alouds; for example, "Hush-a-bye Time" reads: "Because it's tucked-in-tight time/ say-good-night time./ All the day has passed." Exuberant "Cave Bear's Snore" is fun to share, and pet lovers will relish "The Baker Dog." The titular dream train emerges from the pages of an open book and reappears throughout. Colorful mixed-media illustrations highlight the contrast between daytime's busy activities and nighttime stillness. Readers will linger over the lively details, especially the cross-section of a home that accompanies "The Middle of the Night." The folksy scenes of a mother and her young children enjoying the seasons in "Four Moons" also evoke wonder. VERDICT With an enticing mix of playful whimsy and quiet moments, this well-crafted collection of accessible verse and lovely illustrations should appeal to a wide audience.--Marilyn Taniguchi
Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
Sean Taylor is an award-winning author of over 50 books for young readers of many different ages. As well as writing, he has many years' experience visiting schools, where he works with poetry and storytelling to encourage young people to write themselves. Originally from Bristol, UK, Sean is currently living in Brazil. seantaylorstories.com
Alex Morss is an ecologist, science journalist, educator, and author. She has worked in publishing for 20+ years and in ecology for 10+ years, and spent many more as a naturalist exploring the tree of life.
Cinyee Chiu is originally from Taiwan, now living in Vancouver, Canada. She got her illustration MFA from Maryland Institute College of Art. She's always happy to try new things, and likes to make things pretty, playful, and exciting.
JUV041050 - Juvenile Fiction | Transportation | Railroads & Trains
JUV070000 - Juvenile Fiction | Poetry (see also Stories in Verse)
