Every Swan, Every Song, Every Sound

The Dreamer by Pam Munoz Ryan and Illustrated by Peter Sis.

Why did I read it?

This is another title from my Master's class that I probably wouldn't have read otherwise, but that I really enjoyed. Interestingly, the illustrator is the same guy who authored and illustrated The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain.

What happened?

Neftali is a young boy growing up in Temuco, Chile. Fascinated by the world around him, there was always something interesting to investigate on the way to school, or a fantastic word in a book he was reading. He couldn't help but daydream and imagine new places and adventures. While his mother appreciated his curiosity and fascination, his father did not. In his opinion, the reading, writing, and curiosity kept Neftali small, timid, and would never guarantee the kind of job that would support his family someday.

What did I like or not like?

Unbeknownst to me, this book is based on the childhood experiences of world renowned poet Pablo Neruda (the pen name for Neftali Ricardo Reyes Basoalto). Once I figured that out, the slightly different style of the book began to make sense. There is a blending of the text with poetry, images, and questions, and I think the book did a great job portraying the creative mindset, and seeing how a poet might have gotten to where he was.