Customer Reviews

Matthew's Dream (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition)

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Although the subject matter of this book initially appeared to be for an older child, it is clear that the text and illustrations appeal as strongly to the younger set. Ever since learning of Matthew the Mouse's determination to become a painter (in contravention of his parents desires that he become a M.D.) my two-year-old son (also named Matthew) has been wielding his paintbrush often and furiously. The illustrations are aesthetically pleasing and clarify the text perfectly. The text, while simple in form, provides excellent vocabulary builders (e.g., use of "embrace" rather than "hug") and also gives the reader the chance to discuss with the child many ideas and activities that take place inside and outside the home. All in all a wonderful find; a story that truly respects a child's right to follow his or her own dreams.

I have yet to encounter a Lionni book that I did not like and this one is certainly no exception. This writer and artist is no longer with us, but his legacy as passed down through his books for children lives with it and I fully expect it to linger much, much longer.

Matthew's Dream is the story of a small mouse; a very poor mouse, living in an old cluttered, dusty and shambled attic with his parents. These are poor mice. Mom and Dad have asked Matthew what he wants to do with his life and his only answer is that he does not know, but he does want to see the world. Can a poor attic mouse achieve his dreams? Can he see the world, and if so, how?

One day Matthew and his classmates visit an art museum for the first time. The world changes for our little mouse. Here on the walls he is taken to places he never realized existed. The pictures of food made him drool. He gazed on Kings and other nobility, visited places and gaze upon sights he had only dream of. Matthew, we could say, sort of went into sensory overload! Matthews life was changed forever.

Upon his return home the first thing he saw was his clutter corner. The dream he had been having at the museum (where a very special little girl mouse played an important role) had faded....but had it! Blinking back tears of disappointment, Matthew began to change if my magic. The messy heap suddenly took on new shapes, new colors, and new dimensions! Matthew was transformed. He immediately informed his parents that now he knew what he wanted to be. It was an artist!

This is another of the books Leo Lionni produced whose main thrust was to encourage children to see beyond their ordinary dreary lives...to see the possible within the impossible. This is a strong message indeed.

As usually the text in this particular work is near perfect. In simple parable mode, Lionni has given us much food for thought and through his amazing, bright and vibrant art stimulates not only the intellect of the child, but also the possibility of their creativeness. Handled right and discussed with the child as this book is being read, the adult reader can quite possible stimulate a long need aspect of the child's life; often hidden but never the less lurking their. Often times this wonder, a wonder I feel we are all certainly born with, needs only a small prod to be released.

As always, this author has skillfully pushed, every so gently, the vocabulary envelope and has introduced new words and new word usage into his stories...not at a level which is burdensome or intimidating to the child, but rather mildly challenging in a fun sort of way. Her we have the child expose to art, thought, imagination, vocabulary building and all while having a great deal of fun. Can you ask more from a children's book?

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

When Matthew's class visits the local museum, he finds the answer to that age-old question: "What do you want to be when you grown up?" Having found his muse, the protagonist sees his world through the eyes of an artist from that moment on. Lionni's delightful mixed media collages envision mouse-centric works of art that mimic icons of fine art. Matthew's Dream can be used to introduce students to the beauty of portraits, landscapes, still lifes, impressionism, and cubism as well as the works of Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, and Joan Miró. At the secondary level, Lionni's simple tale serves as an entrée to art-inspired historical fiction.

One of the best stories for introducing painting to Pre-K children. It's Leo Lionni...that says it all.

I have read this book to my son since he was born (he is now 3 months old). He loves it - coos and kicks his legs throughout the entire book. Very vivid colorful pictures and a great story. Can't wait to get more books from Lionni.