Sometimes I Dream Horses - Hardcover

PreSchool-Grade 1 A young girl, visiting her grandmother's southwestern ranch, relishes bedtime because it is then she can ``dream horses.'' In her favorite dream she is riding her grandmother's prize horsea dream her grandmother turns into reality. This is a warm and comforting portrait of love between generations. The picture of an active determined, yet gentle, grandmother will be appreciated. Unfortunately, the book doesn't meet expectations. While the language is poetic and understated, the rhythm is choppy and uneven, falling in and out of rhyme. Softly-shaded charcoal sketches, although adequate, lack the warmth the story suggests. Portraits of the horses lack zest and strength. With the plethora of dream books available, this one is a very additional purchase. Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, Wis.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The narrator of this poetic, beautifully illustrated story is a little girl who dreams of riding "White Jamal," her grandmother's favorite horse "past moon, past stars." But the heart of the story lies in the loving relationship between the girl and her grandmother as they share small moments together on a Southwestern ranch. They talk about dreams, laugh together and ride the real-life White Jamal. At the end of the day when "there are a million stars/ to count,/ and one old Uncle Moon/ rising over the hill," the little girl slides "deep down/ between the cold sheets," eager to dream of horses again. The quiet language is lilting and gentle, and the soft black-and-white drawings are filled with homey details, in a lovely interplay of text and art. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.