When I Dream
What’s inside...
Explore the power of dreams and aspirations through the story of one boy's journey. Accompanied by family and friends, he embarks on adventures that shape who he dreams to be and the things he'll do. This narrative reminds us to cherish life's dreams and believe in the possibilities they hold.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
0-12
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was your favorite part of the dream in the story, and why?
If you could have any dream tonight, what would you dream about?
How did the character feel when they woke up from their dream? Have you ever felt that way?
What do you think the dream in the story means? Does it remind you of anything?
How would you change the story if you were the one dreaming?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a calm and curious tone to make the child feel at ease sharing their thoughts and dreams.
Encourage the child to draw their dream or a scene from the book to deepen their connection to the story.
Relate the dream in the story to the child’s real-life experiences to make the discussion more relevant and engaging.
Affirm the child’s feelings and interpretations of the book to build their confidence in expressing their thoughts.
Ask follow-up questions based on the child's responses to encourage deeper thinking and exploration of the book’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The power of imagination
Explanation: In 'When I Dream', Blake beautifully illustrates the limitless possibilities of where a child's mind can wander during sleep. Dreams become a playground where any adventure is possible.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to discuss their dreams and use them as inspiration for creative activities such as drawing, storytelling, or playacting, thus fostering creativity and expression.
Example Lesson: The importance of sleep
Explanation: Through the narrative, Blake explains how dreams occur during sleep and subtly highlights the importance of a good night's rest for a healthy and active mind.
Real-World Application: Parents can emphasize a healthy bedtime routine, helping children understand that getting enough sleep is crucial for their body to rest, recover, and prepare for the adventures of the next day.
Example Lesson: Understanding and managing emotions
Explanation: The book navigates through various emotions that the protagonist feels within different dreams—joy, fear, excitement, and calmness—depicting how dreams can serve as a reflection of one’s emotions.
Real-World Application: This can lead to discussions between children and parents about feelings and teach children to recognize and articulate their emotions in real life.
Example Lesson: Empathy through different perspectives
Explanation: As the character in the book experiences various scenarios in dreams, it provides a canvas to show how different people may feel or react differently in similar situations.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand and appreciate diverse perspectives and foster empathy towards the feelings and reactions of others in their actual interactions.