Grandmother's Dreamcatcher [Hardcover]

Becky R. McCain (Author), Abby Levine (Editor), Stacey Schuett (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

When Kimmy has bad dreams, Grandmother shows Kimmy a dreamcatcher, and with a twig, beads, feathers, and leather, they begin to make one just for Kimmy. Will it work? Instructions for making a dreamcatcher appear at the end of the book. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A Chippewa girl's bad dreams are kept at bay by a dreamcatcher in this straightforward story. The narrator, staying with her grandmother while her parents are busy relocating, keeps busy making Native American crafts and trekking through the countryside. Instructions for making a dreamcatcher follow the story. While the text credibly emulates a child's voice, it makes facile use of Native American culture that goes little beyond information on dreamcatchers that could be found in many activity books. Schuett's (Somewhere in the World Right Now) acrylic and gouache paintings convincingly convey tenderness among the family members, as well as the narrator's anxiety. The solid forms of her paintings, which rely heavily upon purple and green, are defined with solid black lines; her sometimes tilted perspectives add a lilt to these strong shapes. While the book raises significant issuesAabout the loss of traditional culture, separation from parents, movingAthe resolution comes too easily. The dreamcatcher is given full credit for curing the girl's anxiety; this solution ignores the complexity of the larger problems and sells short the family support that both author and illustrator portray. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-Kimmy is taken to stay with her Chippewa grandmother while her parents find a new place to live. Bad dreams and fear for her mother and father constantly disturb the child's sleep until Grandmother tells her the legend of the dreamcatcher, which is intended to capture bad dreams and allow good ones to make their way back to the dreamer. Kimmy is comforted after she and Grandmother construct a dreamcatcher from found materials. The two spend the rest of the week fishing, making presents, and enjoying being together. The acrylic-and-gouache illustrations are bright and appealing, and each character has unique features and expressions. The text is short and suitable for reading aloud. However, the fact that Kimmy does not recognize a dreamcatcher seems odd since both sides of her family are Chippewa. Nonetheless, this is a sensitive and attractive story. Directions for making a dreamcatcher are included.
Mary B. McCarthy, Windsor Severance Library District, CO
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company; 1 edition (September 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080753031X
• ISBN-13: 978-0807530313
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,783,680 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely Story, September 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Grandmother's Dreamcatcher (Hardcover)

This is a lovely story filled with security of home and family. It also offers a study of Indian Culture to children, as well as adults. A book for any country and is a book for all ages. It is also timeless and will go on as long as it is offered for the public to see.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Story - Beautiful Lesson, February 28, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Grandmother's Dreamcatcher (Hardcover)

This is a beautiful story especially for bedtime reading! Recommended for all ages.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Marvelous Find, February 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Grandmother's Dreamcatcher (Hardcover)

This story flows with ease and delight for childrens' bedtime reading. It brings in love of family and a lasting focus on indian heritage. Highly recommended for all ages.