Dream Carver [Hardcover]

Diana Cohn (Author), Amy Cordova (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

Mateo and his father carve juguetes, small wooden animals his family sells at the fiestas in Oaxaca. But Mateo wants to carve much larger animals-goats as pink as bougainvillea with cactus-green speckles, and purple cats with corn-yellow spots. When he tells his father how he longs to bring these large animals to life, his father only scowls, but Mateo perseveres. Including an informative afterword on this vibrant Mexican art form, this colorful tale inspires readers of all ages to follow their passion.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Inspired by the life of renowned Oaxacan woodcarver Manuel Jimenez, newcomer Cohn and Cordova (My Land Sings) tell of Mateo, a young woodcarver who bravely breaks with a generations-old artistic tradition. The subsistence farmers of the boy's village are known for their juguetes, tiny carvings of wooden animals so small they could fit in the palm of a hand, carved by men and boys, and painted in fiesta-bright colors by women and girls. But Mateo dreams of carving life-size animals, with surfaces that tingle with vibrant, improbable colors and surreal patterns. I see animals so big and bright that I will need to carve them with a machete! he tells his disapproving father. When Mateo ultimately produces a glorious wooden menagerie including a quetzal with majestic feathers he wins over not only Papa, but the entire village, and a new way of carving is born. Cohn captures the boy's pursuit with straightforward eloquence, whether describing a child's heady experience of a fiesta or articulating the imaginative forces that set apart and drive a true artist. Cordova chronicles Mateo's artistic development in radiant, double-spread tableaux, setting off the text with festive decorative borders. She borrows the highly stylized characterizations and flattened perspectives typical of Mexican folk art, but she animates the compositions with big, bold shapes and electric, saturated colors. A fitting tribute to the energy and power of an artist's distinctive vision. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-Inspired by the story of Oaxacan wood-carver Manuel Jimenez, this tale shows how imagination can become a compelling force for change. Like his father and grandfather, Mateo carves juguetes, tiny wooden toy animals, to sell at fiestas. The boy, however, wants to make large and bright animals that are brilliantly decorated with speckles and patterns. Since his father disapproves, the child makes his creations on the sly. At fiesta, they sell like hotcakes, and a new art form is born. The text is a trifle wordy and static, but the story does impart its message of belief in oneself without undue didacticism or heavy-handedness. Cordova's brilliant primitive paintings, rendered in acrylic and colored pencil on a gessoed background, bring Mateo's animals to vivid life, reinforcing the textual message. A two-page afterword gives information on Jim nez and his art. A good introduction to a uniquely Mexican art form.
Ann Welton, Grant Elementary School, Tacoma, WA
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; First edition. edition (April 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811812448
• ISBN-13: 978-0811812443
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #948,693 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Diana Cohn is an educator with an active commitment to social justice work. She was a teacher for many years, and now works for a national foundation that supports communities organizing for economic and environmental justice. She has a master's degree in education from Teacher's College, Columbia University. She is the author of Dream Carver and Si, Se Puede! Yes, We Can! Janitor Strike in L.A. Visit her website at www.dreamcarver.org

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Charming, July 28, 2005

By 

Miss B "Children's Librarian" (Alamosa, Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dream Carver (Hardcover)

The story of a child who sees the world in his own special way never gets old. Diana Cohn tells the story without overdoing it, and lets Amy Cordova's wonderful illustrations become full partners in the storytelling. A wonderful lesson in the value of the individual.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty awesome., January 29, 2006

By 

N. Salazar "Cristy Salazar" (Arizona) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dream Carver (Hardcover)

This is a beautiful book which portrays the childhood of millions of children leaving in the rural areas of Mexico who are full of dreams and full of talents. I liked the idea about including an afterword about the story of Oaxacan Wood carver Manuel Jimenez, who story inspired Diana Cohn to write this book. The afterword also includes some pictures about Manuel and the beautiful works he does. I love reading a book about a rich expression of the Mexican culture that is many times unknown to others. This is a book for all ages. I truly enjoyed the book.

3.0 out of 5 stars Rich and vibrant colors come alive in the story of a young wood-carver, July 18, 2010

By 

DeeDee Fox "Dee Dee Fox" (Rapid City, SD, US) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dream Carver (Hardcover)

This story of a young boy who breaks from tradition in his small village in Oaxaca to create the woodcarvings of his dreams is beautifully illustrated. The rich and vibrant colors come alive, as do the vivid images of goats, birds and cougars, as dreamed, and later carved by the main character of the story. The interesting part about this story is that it is inspired by a visionary wood-carver, named Manuel Jimenez who, it is claimed, helped revitalize the woodcarving industry in that region.

DeeDee Fox, author and illustrator, The Ruby Red Slippers