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Before I Wake Up Hardcover – May 15, 2016

by Britta Teckentrup (Author)

29

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Created by the world-renowned children’s author and illustrator Britta Teckentrup, this dreamy, colorful nighttime journey will captivate and soothe young children everywhere. A young girl falls asleep and travels in her dreams through the sky, down to the ocean’s depths, and into a jungle. She is accompanied by a lion friend, who eases her fears, gives her confidence, and helps her explore the world around her. Along the way she meets whales, jellyfish, grizzly bears and wolves. Then it is time for the moon balloon to take the girl home to her bed, where she awakes, snuggled safely next to the lion, who returns to being a stuffed toy. Award-winning children’s illustrator Britta Teckentrup’s collage-like artwork creates a magical world of captivating colors, classic shapes, and softly detailed textures. The gently told story reassures children that they are never alone, even in their dreams. Exquisitely produced, this book is certain to become a pre-bedtime favorite for children and their parents.

Reading age

4 - 8 years
Print length

56 pages
Language

English
Grade level

Preschool - 3
Dimensions

9.75 x 0.5 x 10 inches
Publisher

Prestel Junior
Publication date

May 15, 2016
ISBN-10

3791372467
ISBN-13

978-3791372464
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1—An imaginative journey through the hours of sleep. This picture book's rhyming text and abstract collage illustrations animate the narrator's dreams. Through rich, dark colors laced with light and shadows, the round moon carries the child's bed like a hot-air balloon down to where a lion—a larger, less rumpled version of the toy seen by the bed—waits. The two set off: "Together we fly/with arms stretched out wide/over the seas/and leave our worries behind." In each ethereal spread, the visuals hold the promise of adventure—sometimes unsettling, sometimes exciting—but the narrator feels confident with the lion there. In a boat, they weather a storm, the sea, and wind. After swimming in the ocean, they meet many other enthusiastic wild animals in the wilderness. The design and pacing of the illustrations stand out more than the text, capturing the spirit of a dream world. Single pages and spreads hold many details to discover. The background colors slowly lighten to reflect time passing, and soon the two must hurry toward the morning. "And when the day dawns,/I stand close to my friend. /'Goodbye for now!'/Night has come to an end." The bed returns to pick up the child. It still hangs from the moon, which is hardly visible in the yellow background, indicating the bright light of day. VERDICT This inviting look at dream time will welcome young listeners ready for sleep, while also offering opportunities to empower and assure those who are feeling more anxious about their dreams.—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

Review

"A little girl dreams and is accompanied in her dream travels by her stuffed lion friend, who becomes real. He holds her when she is frightened and goes with her, traveling on foot, flying and sailing. They meet all sorts of wild creatures that are friendly. But when the morning's light comes, they run through the red jungle back home to bed where a new day begins. The story is written in rhyme and is a reassuring explanation of dreams for the very young."

—News & Record
"Britta Teckentrup['s]...illustrations are as magically wonderful as ever . . . Teckentrup establishes a dream landscape in a variety of ways. Sometimes the narrator is seen multiple times on a page, sometimes she seems to float across the page . . . While I am a big fan of Teckentrup's style, I think that my favorite thing about Before I Wake Up... is the book itself . . . This gorgeously designed book...is printed on thick matte paper with a sturdy paper-over-board cover and stitched binding that makes reading it a multi-sense experience. Before I Wake Up... is a memorable book that children will cherish, but also one that makes a beautiful gift."

—Books4YourKids.com
"Before I Wake Up... is a touching bedtime progression of dream images that contains a reassuring core concept of feeling safe, loved and protected through a journey of slumber. Stunning, soft dark textured colors pervade the collage-like artwork, following a girl and her lion companion through exploring many new places, meeting wild animals in a wood on a mysterious path. The girl is unafraid, for her lion companion looms large by her side, always protecting her. Although the girl is tempted to stay in the night wood, she feels the night lightening towards a new day, and runs with her brave lion out of the red jungle toward morning's light. The girl says goodbye to her nighttime companion and travels, and is transported magically to a wonderful new day, with her favorite stuffed lion toy companion still by her side. Before I Wake Up... is filled with poetic imagery and quiet thoughts that have deep appeal to young children, especially at bedtime."

—Midwest Book Review
"Written in poetry fashion, I like the contrasting colors and art. Perhaps best for very young children."

—Hooked on Books
"Britta Techentrup’s work is utterly sublime and we are never disappointed by her offerings, but her latest book Before I Wake Up… has to be one of our favorites to date."

—Picturebooks Blogger