Imagine a Day (Byron Preiss Book) (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Rob Gonsalves (Illustrator) "imagine a day . . . . . . when you can dive down through branches or swim up to the sun..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6–Gonsalves awakens young readers from the twilight fantasy of Imagine a Night (S & S, 2003) and invites them to visit his evocative dreamscapes in broad daylight. The "wow" factor in every image is high, though some of the acrylic paintings pack more of a conceptual punch than others. The illustration that accompanies "imagine a day…/…when your house enfolds you/like a nest,/rocking gently/in the autumn wind" is definitely pretty neat. But "imagine a day…/…when you forget how to fall" is more deeply powerful, insightful, and visually demanding. The dust jacket copy indicates that Gonsalves's influences include such surrealist masters as Varo and Magritte, but picture-book aficionados–children included–are likely to associate these sophisticated, sensitive acrylics with other kid-friendly art by the likes of Anthony Browne and Chris Van Allsburg. Every image, from first to last, gives viewers plenty to ponder in their quieter moments, and older readers with artistic sensibilities will be as inspired as their younger siblings. Like Gonsalves's art, this riveting, memorable book works on many levels.–Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-6. In a companion to Imagine a Night (2003), Gonsalves offers a new series of remarkable paintings that fool the eye in transparent yet intriguing ways. Each double-page spread presents a large picture and Thomson's brief text, such as "imagine a day . . . when you can dive down through branches or swim up to the sun." In this case, the acrylic painting depicts a scene in which a large tree is clearly reflected in the calm waters of a river or a lake. Three children climb out of the boat and along the reflection of the tree branches, toward the shore. In another painting, children walk along a picket fence, which almost imperceptibly turns into a city skyline that features the Chrysler Building. The text, though often lyrical, adds less to the book than the detailed pictures, which will stimulate wonder and imagination. An intriguing introduction to the surreal in art, this large-format book will fascinate children and adults with its realistic depiction of logical impossibilities. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum (January 25, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689852193
• ISBN-13: 978-0689852190
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 11.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #115,561 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Better as an art book for adults, May 6, 2005

By	Jessica Ferguson "threelittlebirds" (Woodbury, NJ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Brightly colored, surreal illustrations by Rob Gonsalves are lovely and interesting for adults and children and definately evoke emotions. Small children may find the perspectives a bit edgy.

The text will definatly evoke more for adults than children but does encourage readers of all ages to use their imaginations. This book may be dificult for beginning readers to decipher on their own but would be very nice as a read-together book.

This is a companion book to Imagine a Night by the same author and illustrator.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book for the coffee table, January 29, 2006

By	writingadream (Maryland) - See all my reviews

The absolutely tremendous illustrations make this book interesting to all ages...especially adults. We keep it on the coffee table and company of all ages pick it up to get swept away by the imaginative book.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great illustrations and text, April 2, 2005

By	Book Collector (Owings Mills, MD United States) - See all my reviews

If you liked 'Imagine a Night,' you'll like 'Imagine a Day.' I like them both. The artwork is well displayed (although I hate when art is dissected into a two-page layout and wish the 'powers that be' would just make the book BIGGER to accomodate a one artwork per page layout . . . but that's my personal peeve and most readers don't seem to care or notice.)
Gentle and wonderful introduction to surreal art. Would recommend it for children or adults. It makes one wish for one of those oversize comprehensive and complete art books solely on Rob Gonsalves.