Tree of Dreams: Ten Tales from the Garden of Night - Hardcover

Yep, Laurence

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0816734984 ISBN 13: 9780816734986

Publisher: Bridgewater Books, 1995

Synopsis

A master storyteller offers a collection of folktales, from Brazil, China, India, Japan, and other countries, that involve dreams and dreaming. By the award-winning author of The Man Who Tricked a Ghost.

About this title

Reviews

Grade 3-7?Drawing on sources acknowledged at the end of the book, Yep retells 10 stories from Japan, India, China, Greece, Brazil, and Senegal in lively prose, shaping plot and point of view to emphasize each tale's dream aspect. In one selection, Badger guardians speak to their generous benefactor in his dream. In another, a prince braves distance and danger to find the princess of his dreams. In a third, a boy's dream spirit enters the body of a cricket, while a warrior dreams a lifetime as an ant, and learns humility. In yet another, a boy gains wisdom from the tree of dreams growing deep in the rain forest, only to incur murderous jealousy from other members of his tribe. A preface reminds readers that "dreaming is a bond that unites us," while an afterword briefly touches on the literary, scientific, and Freudian views on dreams. Seltzer offers one illustration per tale in a brash, deliberately rough-hewn style emphasizing the tales' strangeness. A collection to read for pure enjoyment, or to ponder the connection between dreams and folklore.?Margaret A. Chang, North Adams State College, MA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

"Dreaming is a bond that unites us-beyond language and custom, beyond geography and time itself," writes Yep (Dragon's Gate; Child of the Owl) in his preface to this intriguing collection. Culled from several cultures and many centuries, the 10 stories here draw on such folklore traditions as those of China, ancient Greece and Brazil. In each, a character ascends what Yep refers to as "the tree of dreams" and, while sleeping, has an adventure that teaches him or her a lesson. Wealthy emperors, humble servants, spirits, gods and animals play roles in these narratives. True to the chimerical nature of dreams, some of the plots are labyrinthine and may confuse literal-minded youngsters. But each conclusion sees justice explicitly served, with greed and arrogance punished while humility, hard work and honesty are rewarded. Introducing every story is a full-page, deep-hued illustration by Seltzer (The House I Live In), who ably and creatively invokes the aura and images of the various diverse cultures. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 3-6, younger for reading aloud. In gathering these unusual, dream-related stories from around the world, Yep seeks "a new perspective on dreams and dreaming" and "a glimpse not only of a different patch of the universe but of one another, as well." Each tale complies, proffering its unique spin on the mystery of why we dream and, in the process, revealing cultural differences and universalities. In "The Helpful Badger," a Japanese story, a dream is a means for animals to communicate with humans. In the Chinese tale, "South Branch," the dream is a teacher humbling an arrogant warrior. There are stories from India, Greece, Brazil, and Senegal, retold with Yep's characteristic gleaming functionality, keen timing, and wit. With perhaps one exception, "Dream Girl," the stories are strong, deserving of retelling, and worthy contributors to this informal study of the universal phenomenon of dreams. To be illustrated with black-and-white drawings. Julie Yates Walton

Edition details

• Publisher: Bridgewater Books
• Publication date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0816734984
• ISBN 13: 9780816734986
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Seltzer Isadore
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 93