Dreaming, Just Like You

In an era saturated with media vying for children’s attention, it is a rare and profound pleasure to encounter a book as sweet, insightful, and beautifully executed as Dreaming Just Like You by Terri Tatchell and Maria Flo. As a mother of young children who spends countless hours reading aloud, I am always on the lookout for books that spark genuine conversation and emotional connection. This book does just that, with a gentle, rhyming hand.

From the very first page, the book establishes a universal truth: dreaming is “this thing we call a dream, which all the creatures do.” This simple premise is the foundation for a marvelous journey into empathy, suggesting that the inner lives of animals are far richer and more varied than we often assume.

The structure of the book is charmingly repetitive and works perfectly for bedtime or story-time reading. It first introduces an animal’s expected dream, grounding the reader in their familiar world. For instance, the puppy dreams of chasing the classic “cats and squirrels and squeaky balls.” But then comes the lovely twist: “But sometimes other dreams slip in.” For that same puppy, the unexpected dream is “of moonlit waterfalls.” This transition is what makes the book so special. It transforms the animals from simple creatures of instinct into beings with a touch of human-like longing and imagination.

I particularly adore the example of the green frogs. Their “regular” dream involves “lily pads and gliding through the wet,” but their secret, “slipped-in” dream is “of presents they might get!” Similarly, the mighty walrus who typically dreams “of eating fish and roaring extra loud,” is revealed to also dream “of things that aren’t allowed.” These are the moments that elicited gasps and giggles from my children. They immediately relate to the unexpected dream, and it makes the animal instantly relatable.

The illustrations appear rich and imaginative, suggesting a deep, wondrous night world where the ordinary fades, and the magical takes over. The concluding pages drive the core message home, asking the reader to question their assumptions: “Animals dream of animal things. Are you sure?… What if… their dreams are more like yours?”

This book is more than a lovely rhyme; it’s a lesson in perspective. It encourages young minds to look past the surface and recognize shared feelings, including joy, longing, adventure, and perhaps even a little mischief, in the creatures around them. For parents and grandparents seeking a book that is both visually and emotionally stimulating, Dreaming Just Like You is an absolute must-have. It’s a gentle reminder that we are all connected in the mysterious, beautiful world of our dreams. Highly recommended for ages 3-7.