HELLO, LITTLE DREAMER

Children are encouraged to follow their hearts and chase their dreams in a new picture book from the morning-TV host.

“Hello, little dreamer!” offers an encouraging invitation to young readers, going on to inquire, “What is your FAVORITE thing to do?” Rhyming couplets in direct address proceed to speculate and offer possibilities. Whatever “you” enjoy doing may be the seed of a dream meant just for you from God. A little curiosity and a dash of prayer are all it takes to make your dreams come true. The soft-edged and undeniably cute illustrations include an admirably diverse array of dot-eyed children engaged in a variety of activities: bicycling (with helmets), running over grassy fields with balloons, splashing in puddles. At times the text skates close to the prosperity gospel: “NEVER let people tell you / your dreams can’t come true. / Just keep doing those things / that God wants you to do.” They need only follow these interests to find fulfillment, a rather trite and unrealistic message. It’s delivered in an at-times forced rhyme—an unfortunate but typical characteristic of the genre. “This was God's plan. / This was what He designed / Because right from the start / He had you on His mind!” Readers might find themselves praying for prose by the time they get through it. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at 25% of actual size.)

Saccharine and cloying, though darling and diverse illustrations lend some charm.