DREAM

The subtitle indicates the purpose, though the text is less a tale than a tract that shapes a lifetime journey through hopes and dreams. Beginning with a baby and moving through the labyrinths of adolescence and adulthood, the poetic prose correlates colors with wishes and dreams. Each double spread has different illustrators (mostly well known), a poem about color, a quote from a famous person and the phrase “Dream a Dream with Me.” The illustrators are not identified until the backmatter, in which two pages explore the pictures and describe the artists’ intent. As part of the Legacy Project, the message aims to be inspirational, fueling children’s aspirations but, though this is attractive, the child appeal is extremely limited. Perhaps it’s useful to adults looking to instill children with the belief they can attain their dreams. (activities kit and traveling exhibit available, interactive Web site) (Picture book. 7-9)