Title: Dreamers
Author: Yuyi Morales
First published September 4, 2018
40 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780823440559 (ISBN10: 0823440559)
Rating: 4.43
Overview
Yuyi Morales’ Dreamers is a moving tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of imagination. This beautifully illustrated picture book tells the author’s own immigration story.
In 1994, Yuyi Morales left everything behind in Xalapa, Mexico and embarked on a new journey with her infant son to the United States. But despite the challenges she faced, Yuyi brought with her the most important things: her determination, her creativity, and her love of stories.
Dreamers is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of hope and the importance of holding onto our dreams, no matter where life takes us.
About the Author
Meet Yuyi Morales, the talented illustrator behind the inspiring book Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull. Her work on this book earned her several prestigious awards including the Pura Belpré Award and a Christopher Medal.
Yuyi also lent her artistic touch to the Pura Belpré Award-winning book Los Gatos Black on Halloween by Marisa Montes. Originally from Mexico, Yuyi now resides in northern California.
Editoral Review
Dreamers by Yuyi Morales is a beautifully illustrated and deeply touching picture book that celebrates the power of story, imagination, and migration. Morales, a Mexican-born author and illustrator, drew upon her own experiences as an immigrant to the United States to create this heartfelt tribute to the resilience and creativity of people who must navigate new environments.
As a picture book, Dreamers is intended for young readers, but it has universal appeal for anyone who can appreciate the transformative power of books and art. The story follows a mother and her young son as they journey from Mexico to the United States and struggle to adjust to a new culture and language.
Despite their initial fears and uncertainties, they find solace and inspiration in the local library, where they read stories, learn new words, and connect with other immigrants who share their dreams. The illustrations in Dreamers are luminous, whimsical, and culturally rich, with a mix of real-life photos, collages, and digital enhancements that give the book a distinctive and immersive style.
Morales superbly captures the emotions and inner lives of her characters, conveying their joy, frustration, curiosity, and hope in a vivid, nuanced way. The narrative itself is simple but impactful, weaving together elements of magic realism, autobiography, and social commentary into a cohesive and uplifting whole.
One of the greatest strengths of Dreamers is its ability to convey complex realities and issues through a lens of compassion and optimism. Morales doesn’t shy away from the challenges and injustices that immigrants face, but she also emphasizes their resilience, creativity, and interconnectedness.
The book is both a mirror and a window, allowing readers to see themselves and others with more clarity and empathy. If there is any weakness to Dreamers, it is perhaps that it may be too idealistic or optimistic for some readers, especially those who are skeptical about immigration or assimilation.
However, Morales’ goal is not to preach or impose her views on anyone, but to offer a vision of possibility and hope that is grounded in her own experience and cultural background. She invites readers to join her in imagining a world where migration is celebrated and valued as a source of diversity and richness.
Overall, I highly recommend Dreamers to anyone who loves children’s books, illustrations, and stories that touch the heart and the mind. It is a gem of a book that deserves to be read and shared widely, especially in these turbulent times when so many people are seeking refuge, belonging, and meaning.
I give Dreamers five stars out of five, not only for its artistic and literary merits, but for its timely and timeless message of hope and love.
