To Dream of Dancing: Desdemona's Dreams, Volume 1
#1 in Desdemona'S Dreams Series
What’s inside...
To Dream of Dancing is an imaginative children's book that follows the story of young Desdemona, who after a nightmare about her dream of dancing being captured, confides in her living teddy bear, Teddy. At school, Desdemona is considered a daydreamer and faces challenges from her peers and strict teacher. She slips back into the dream world during class and confronts the Maestro, who has captured her dream. Desdemona must creatively find a way to rescue her dream or risk being trapped forever. The narrative is filled with beautiful imagery and draws on influences from Alice in Wonderland, The Sandman, and The Brother's Grimm fairy tales, making it suitable for children transitioning to their first chapter books. This award-winning book is a hardback collectible with extensive content, offering a multi-sensory experience with accompanying digital audiobooks. The story ends with her Aunts discussing Desdemona's triumph, setting the stage for more adventures to come.
Discussion points
What do you think Desdemona dreams about and why?
How do the different characters in the book help Desdemona in her journey?
If you could create a dream world, what would it look like and what creatures would live there?
What are some feelings Desdemona experiences and have you ever felt the same way?
How do you think dreaming affects Desdemona's real life?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to use their imagination by asking them to describe their own dream world in detail. Listen actively and show interest in their ideas, which helps in building their creativity and communication skills. Relate the emotions experienced by Desdemona to real-life situations your child might encounter, promoting empathy and emotional understanding. Finally, consider discussing the importance of supporting friends, as seen in the book, to impart values of friendship and cooperation.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Creativity
Explanation: The book showcases the journey of Desdemona, who crafts entire worlds in her dreams, demonstrating the boundless potential of creativity.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by using their imagination in play, art, or storytelling, realizing that their thoughts can create expansive and vivid worlds.
Example Lesson: Overcoming Fear
Explanation: Desdemona faces various challenges in her dreams but learns to navigate them with courage, highlighting the importance of facing and overcoming fears.
Real-World Application: This can be applied in a child's life when they are hesitant to try new activities or face difficulties, teaching them resilience.
Example Lesson: The Value of Persistence
Explanation: Throughout her adventures, Desdemona encounters obstacles that require her to keep trying and not give up, underscoring the significance of persistence.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of perseverance in achieving goals whether in school tasks, learning new skills, or building relationships.
Example Lesson: Appreciating Differences
Explanation: Desdemona meets a variety of characters in her dreamworlds, each unique and different, which teaches the acceptance and appreciation of diversity.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand and celebrate differences in people around them, promoting inclusivity and empathy.