Book Review for Catching a Dream by J.R. McRae

Catching a Dream, by J.R. McRae, is a single poem about the wonders of childhood, and the dreams that surround us while we were growing up.

The poem begins with a child who catches a bright, shinning orb. They let it go, as the orb slowly absorbs everything around them. Before long, the poem thrusts itself into fantastical imagery and metaphors, from cups overflowing with teardrops and candy drops, to bowls being filled with oceans and rivers. McRae’s imagination overwhelmingly pours out from these images, with the phrases laced in golden allusions and hauntingly beautiful descriptions. McRae shows just how wonderful the world can be, with each line a testament to the magic around us.

I honestly loved this book. While the illustrations might be a bit too eerie for children, the poem does bring a level of nostalgia and fondness of the past. It reminds readers of the times when we were young, untainted by societal expectations and stereotypes. We probably felt like we could do anything, and this poem conveys exactly those emotions. The last line of the poem was particularly hopeful, of when the child finally grows up, and goes to face the world with their own mind.

As such, I would give this book a rating of a 4.5 out of 5 stars. Though the drawings are a bit creepy, it nevertheless reminds of the innocence of childhood. Thus, I would recommend this book to fans of all ages, especially children’s literature.