Customer Reviews

Ready to Dream

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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!

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!