With the power of creativity comes the ability to dream big . . . Ally and her mother are visiting Australia for the summer, and she can’t wait to start drawing all the new animals that she’ll see. But when Ally meets Pauline, an Aboriginal woman who’s also an artist, she learns that art isn’t always created with just paper and paints, and that mistakes are actually happy accidents. Donna Jo Napoli and her daughter were inspired to write this story after spending many summers in Australia, and Aboriginal artist Bronwyn Bancroft’s dynamic illustrations bring to life this inspiring story about creativity and imagination.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Quiet dignity marks Napoli (Stones in Water), Furrow and Aboriginal artist Bancroft's account of a child's encounter with Australia and its indigenous artists. Ally, an American girl, is interested in art as a product and fears mistakes; Pauline, a shamanlike Aboriginal painter, encourages Ally to see past appearances. In the mother-daughter team's respectful text, Pauline says, Every picture has a story to tell. Let the lorikeet dream its story. By the close of her monthlong trip, Ally can perceive without judging. When the wind blows away a sand picture they've made, she rejoices: Our picture's everywhere. Pauline tells her, Now you're ready to dream. Using the earthen pigments, heavy outlines and decorative dots and swirls of indigenous Australian art, Bancroft pictures Ally and Pauline from the same side-on view throughout, while the text runs like subtitles along the bottom of the page; the effect is like a documentary. A useful introduction to a radically different culture, and a fine portrait of a child and her mentor. Ages 4–8. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From School Library Journal
Grade 2–4—During a trip to Australia with her mother, Ally, a young artist, meets an Aboriginal woman who is also an artist. As the child goes off on adventures, she draws the things she sees and then shows her work to Pauline. The woman tries to teach Ally that art is not a straight reporting of the facts, nor should it be limited to paper. Heart, mind, and imagination—as well as the lessons that nature teaches—must also figure into the renderings. When Ally uses her own arms as a canvas to draw lorikeet feathers, she closes her eyes and feels as though she's flying. As her visit ends, Pauline declares, "Now you're ready to dream." Done by an Aboriginal artist in strong, deep colors, the acrylic paintings combine primitive depictions of the characters with striking views of the Australian landscape. The reds, browns, and yellows of the desert scenes contrast effectively with the dark blues and greens of the water and sky. The stylized images are decorated with detailed patterns that employ vibrant color combinations. Though the story might be a bit too vague for some children, this handsome book could be used to introduce Aboriginal dream paintings, or as inspiration for young artists to open their eyes and expand their horizons.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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More About the Author
For all information about Donna Jo Napoli (books, events, biography, awards, contact information), please go to http://www.donnajonapoli.com
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An appealing tale of friendship through a love of art,
This review is from: Ready to Dream (Hardcover)
Ally, a young artist, was all exited to be going to Australia with her Mamma. She had all her art supplies in her backpack and was ready to go on the long, long flight. They were going to be staying in the town of Alice Springs for a whole month.
Ally soon made friends with an old woman who was also an artist. Soon she and Pauline became fast friends, a friendship that each one would learn about one another and their art. Pauline was an Aboriginal artist and Ally proved to be a quick subject as she explored nature in Australia. One week Ally and her mother took a riverboat trip. "Ally wanted to use brown sand instead of paint for color. All she found was gray mud, but the sunlight made her pictures glisten." She was quickly learning about another art form. Donna Jo Napolil and Elena Furrow co-wrote this lovely tale of two individuals who come from diverse cultures, yet find friendship through their art. The stunning illustrations were done by Aboriginal artist Bronwyn Bancroft. I was impressed at how well the story and artwork meshed. The colorful Aboriginal art is very appealing!
3.0 out of 5 stars
Gorgeous story and illustrations,
By
This review is from: Ready to Dream (Hardcover)
Ready to Dream by Donna Jo Napoli and Elena Furrow and illustrated by Bronwyn Bancroft is a visually stunning book. You can not fully appreciate the gorgeous illustrations until you hold it in your hand. If you have not seen this stunning new picture book, find a copy right now!
Ally is so excited to be going on a month-long trip to Australia with her mother. She is especially excited to use her artistic talents to draw her adventures in this new land. When she arrives in Australia she meets Pauline, an Aboriginal artist who shows Ally that art isn't always made with crayons, markers, paints, or even paper. And that sometimes what seems like a mistake can lead to new discoveries. Napoli and her daughter Furrow craft a lovely story about a young girl learning the true meaning of art. And at times their prose is poetic. But the real star here is Bronwynn Bancroft. An Aboriginal artist and designer herself, she has made this book a masterpiece. I wish I could frame each and every page. Her painting of Ally's plane crossing the ocean is so visually soothing that I want to tear it out, place it above my bed, and stare at it as I drift off to sleep each night. This book is a fantastic way to introduce Aboriginal art to students. I can't wait to share it!
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