The Sandman [Hardcover]

Ralph Fletcher (Author), Richard Cowdrey (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

Where did that little piece of sand in the corner of your eye come from? That’s easy—the Sandman.

 

It all started a long time ago when a tiny man named Tor discovered that a dragon’s scale held magical powers. Ground dragon scales make magic sand that Tor sprinkles in the eyes of children to help them fall asleep. But how does he get the scales to make the special sand? He has to venture into the lair of a dragon, and that’s no easy feat!

This imaginative telling of the legend of the Sandman combined with fantastical, illuminating pictures will be enjoyed by the whole family.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2—This fabulous story explains the origins of the Sandman. Tor is a tiny fellow who finds a dragon's scale. Taking it home to his workshop, he studies it and then starts to sharpen it. The dust that gathers makes him fall asleep. Once awake, it's a small leap for him to imagine how helpful this dust will be to all who suffer from sleeplessness, especially children. Fletcher's smoothly written story flows in a thoroughly plausible way and is beautifully served by Cowdrey's vibrant acrylic paintings. Especially intriguing are the wonderful little details, like Tor's mouse-drawn carriage made out of buttons. The old-fashioned look is refreshingly straightforward, free of irony and adult-oriented nostalgia. All in all, this is a compelling story with pictures that add drama, charm, and atmosphere.—Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL
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From Booklist

This picture book ponders the untold backstory of the famed sleep bringer, the Sandman. Tor, an inches-tall man who gets around in a mouse-drawn chariot, cannot sleep, no matter what he tries. Then he happens upon a dragon scale during a jaunt in the woods. He discovers that the powder made by grinding down the scale induces sleep and travels far and wide to sprinkle his amazing sand in the eyes of sleepless children. Fletcher’s spin on the classic character responsible for suddenly leaden lids is helped along by Cowdry’s quaint, deeply hued artwork. Especially appealing is the clever detailing of Tor’s miniature world—a postage stamp hung as art, warm baths taken in a ladle—as well as the Sandman’s gentle, grandfatherly face as he spreads his magic dust night after night. While there is a nice touch of adventure when Tor must restock his supply from a fire-breathing dragon, the beast is not frightening enough to sour the dreams sure to follow this charming and comforting bedtime tale. Preschool-Kindergarten. --Ian Chipman

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (May 27, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080507726X
• ISBN-13: 978-0805077261
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #513,686 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ralph Fletcher is a friend of young writers and readers as well as writing teachers. He has written or co-authored many books for writing teachers includng Writing Workshop: The Essential Guide, Teaching the Qualities of Writing, Lessons for the Writer's Notebook, Boy Writers: Reclaiming Their Voices, and Pyrotechnics on the Page: Playful Craft That Sparks Writing. Ralph has worked with teachers around the U.S. and abroad, helping them find wiser ways of teaching writing.

Ralph's many books for students include picture books (Twilight Comes Twice, Hello Harvest Moon, and The Sandman), novels (Fig Pudding, Flying Solo, and Spider Boy), poetry (A Writing Kind of Day and Moving Day), and a memoir, Marshfield Dreams: When I Was a Kid. His novel Uncle Daddy was awarded the Christopher medal in 2002. He has also written a popular series of books for young writers including Poetry Matters, Live Writing, and A Writer's Notebook. Ralph lives with his family in New Hampshire. He is a strong environmentalist who believes we all must work together to live in a more sustainable way. His other passions include travel, good food, dark chocolate, growing orchids, and sports.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mr. Sandman, August 4, 2008

By 

Camille "at the BookMoot!" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Sandman (Hardcover)

A tiny little man named Tor cannot sleep. One day he finds a dragon scale. As he files down the scale's sharp edge, a breeze blows the scale dust into his eyes which results in "a great wave of sleepiness." When he awakens, he determines that the dragon scale sand can be used to help wide awake children fall asleep. Alas, he needs a supply of them to stay in business so he must go to the dragon's lair to get them.

Richard Cowdrey's illustrations called to me the moment I saw the cover. Tor's tiny home furnishings include a thread spool end table, pencil stub window frames, a thimble cup and a soup ladle bathtub. Cowdry was inspired by Tolkien's Smaug for his double page dragon illustration. Dragon lovers will rejoice at his rendering. The dragon scale sand gleams like emeralds and Tor's mouse-drawn cart is just too adorable. There is warmth and a bow to tradition in Cowdrey's artwork. He is the talent that paints the Guardians of Ga'hoole covers.

The Sandman, (like Jack Frost--see The Stanger by Chris Van Allsburg) does not have many stories told about him. In fact, I cannot think of one. This is a nice addition to bedtime canon.

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my little boy's favorites, November 15, 2010

By 

Bejewell "bejewell" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sandman (Hardcover)

Picked this one up on a whim and it's turned out to be one of my 3 1/2 year old's favorite go-to bedtime stories. Night after night he requests it by name, and when I've reached the end, he asks me to read it again. Before I'm through the second reading, he's out.

It's a cute story, pictures are great. There's a dragon to hold his attention (dragons are BIG in my house right now) but the story winds down, letting him wind down with it. Kind of a perfect bedtime story, really.

5.0 out of 5 stars My Son and Daughter love it!, April 7, 2010

By 

Mama Alley (Houston, TX, US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Sandman (Hardcover)

The Sandman is a little story about bedtime. We took it home from the library and when it was time to return it, both my kids were really upset. (So, I decided to purchase the book) The pictures in the book are excellent & the story line is cute.