The Dream Catcher
Genres
Fiction > Contemporary
Content
Central Theme
Learning Concept
Race / Culture
SEL > Feelings, Resilience
Author & Illustrator: Marcelo Verdad
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers
*Spanish version available: El atrapasueños
Summary
Dreams look different for everyone–some may be big, others seemingly small–but for Miguel, his dreams of seeing his parents once again have no limits. Hopeful to buy himself an airplane, he sets to work on the beach selling his dream catchers with his Abuelito and considers what others may be buying them for and dreaming out. His big questions don’t end on the beach. Each evening, he remains focused on his own pursuits, patiently continuing his journey to be reunited. With his Abuelito’s wisdom, he is reminded that dreams take time to build and aren’t accomplished overnight. Manifest a heart’s deepest wishes in this hopeful and heartwarming tale.
Review
This is a very tender tale with a heartwarming theme of resilience in the face of missing loved ones. While Migeul is well cared for by his Abuelito, he feels the heartache of his parents being an ocean away. The unanswered backstory of his parents leaves you to wonder and sparks discussion.
The way he fuels his dreams into action, being both a dreamer and doer, makes for a beautiful story. We as humans can have duality, and even young children can hold space for hope and sadness. Stories like these pave the way for guiding all of us on that journey.
Language Facilitation
Perspective taking: prompt your child to consider the internal thoughts of each character who buys a dream catcher.
Empathy: consider if you were in Miguel’s shoes, how you might be feeling. Connect it to your child’s own life by discussing times they may have felt pangs of loneliness or sadness, and what they found helped them through it.
Gratitude craft: make your own dream catcher at home and share the important people that make you feel loved and cared for.