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I Dreamed You
I Dreamed You is a love poem, a testament to the gift that every child is to those who care for him or her and to the unbreakable bond between them. I Dreamed You gives a voice to the feelings so difficult to express and so important to share.
Award-winning and beloved children's author Justine Avery thoughtfully, reverently expresses the sentiments behind welcoming a child into our lives, whether we're a grandparent, adopting parent, step-parent, sibling, or anyone else blessed with a cherished young one.
Award-winning and beloved children's author Justine Avery thoughtfully, reverently expresses the sentiments behind welcoming a child into our lives, whether we're a grandparent, adopting parent, step-parent, sibling, or anyone else blessed with a cherished young one.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
36 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2020
33 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Justine Avery
75 books1,456 followersJustine Avery is the #1 international bestselling and award-winning author of stories large and small, for all. Born in the American Midwest and raised all over the world, she is inherently an explorer, duly fascinated by everything around her and excitedly noting the stories that abound all around. As an avid reader of all genres, she weaves her own stories among them all. She has a predilection for writing speculative fiction and story twists and surprises she can’t even predict herself.
Avery has either lived in or explored all 50 states of the union, over 36 countries, and all but one continent; she lost count after moving 30-some times before the age of 20. She’s intentionally jumped out of airplanes and off the highest bungee jump in New Zealand, scuba dived unintentionally with sharks, designed websites, intranets, and technical manuals, bartered with indigenous Panamanians, welded automobile frames, observed at the Bujinkan Hombu Dojo in Noba, Japan, and masterminded prosperous internet businesses—to name a few adventures. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree that life has never required, and at age 28, she sold everything she owned and quit corporate life—and her final "job"—to freelance and travel the world as she always dreamed of. And she’s never looked back.
Aside from her native English, Avery speaks a bit of Japanese and a bit more Spanish, her accent is an ever-evolving mixture of Midwestern American with notes of the Deep South and indiscriminate British vocabulary and rhythm, and she says "eh"—like the Kiwis, not the Canadians. She currently lives on either side of "the pond" with her husband, acclaimed British film director and author Devon Avery, and other creatures. She writes from wherever her curiosity takes her.
Avery loves to connect with fellow readers and creatives, explorers and imaginers, and cordially invites you to say “hello”—or konnichiwa.
JustineAvery.com
Amazon.com/author/justineavery
Twitter.com/Justine_Avery
BookBub.com/authors/justine-avery
LibraryThing.com/author/averyjustine
Avery has either lived in or explored all 50 states of the union, over 36 countries, and all but one continent; she lost count after moving 30-some times before the age of 20. She’s intentionally jumped out of airplanes and off the highest bungee jump in New Zealand, scuba dived unintentionally with sharks, designed websites, intranets, and technical manuals, bartered with indigenous Panamanians, welded automobile frames, observed at the Bujinkan Hombu Dojo in Noba, Japan, and masterminded prosperous internet businesses—to name a few adventures. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree that life has never required, and at age 28, she sold everything she owned and quit corporate life—and her final "job"—to freelance and travel the world as she always dreamed of. And she’s never looked back.
Aside from her native English, Avery speaks a bit of Japanese and a bit more Spanish, her accent is an ever-evolving mixture of Midwestern American with notes of the Deep South and indiscriminate British vocabulary and rhythm, and she says "eh"—like the Kiwis, not the Canadians. She currently lives on either side of "the pond" with her husband, acclaimed British film director and author Devon Avery, and other creatures. She writes from wherever her curiosity takes her.
Avery loves to connect with fellow readers and creatives, explorers and imaginers, and cordially invites you to say “hello”—or konnichiwa.
JustineAvery.com
Amazon.com/author/justineavery
Twitter.com/Justine_Avery
BookBub.com/authors/justine-avery
LibraryThing.com/author/averyjustine
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
July 16, 2020
Loved it.
The letter from a mother to a child was beautiful. Frankly there were no words to express how I felt on reading it.
Felt and appreciated it.
The letter from a mother to a child was beautiful. Frankly there were no words to express how I felt on reading it.
Felt and appreciated it.
May 6, 2020
This is a lovely and sweet love letter from a mother to a child, in the form of a poem. It's a celebration of a mother's love for her children and would work well as a story parents and young children could enjoy together.
Beautifully written with gorgeous illustrations, this would make a perfect gift for Mother's Day.
Beautifully written with gorgeous illustrations, this would make a perfect gift for Mother's Day.
September 23, 2020
Beautiful.
This is a beautiful rendition of a mother’s dreams of their child and how life changes when that dream is realized. Very sweet illustrations.
This is a beautiful rendition of a mother’s dreams of their child and how life changes when that dream is realized. Very sweet illustrations.
February 28, 2023
Sweet message, cute illustrations.
July 15, 2020
Sweet story of waiting for her child to be born. The joys this child brings through their life.
March 28, 2020
THE WISHING SHELF BOOK AWARDS
22nd March, 2020
TITLE: I Dreamed of You
AUTHOR: Justine Avery ILLUSTRATOR: Ema Tepic
Star Rating: 4.5
‘A sweetly illustrated rhyming story, perfect for mother’s day! Perfect for ANY DAY!’ The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
This must be the perfect gift EVER for mother’s day. Or a gift to a child on a birthday. Or, simply, a book a mother can enjoy with a child, where every page is celebrating the child and the love of the mother. Very simply written, it begins with the ‘child’ being a sort of wispy dream; the mother to be – or wanting to be – feeling incomplete. The rest of the story is very much illustrating how important a child is to a mother and how that child can grow up to be anything he or she wants to be. Or, as the author puts it, ‘There’s no one you can’t be, nothing you can’t do.’
If I was to be a tiny bit critical, I do think the rhythm is a little off here and there. But, other than that, the writing style – and even the font – works perfectly for a book of this nature. Take this verse here,
You light up my days
Make the dark corners go away
You are the spark
Erasing the old ways
Simple! I particularly liked ‘dark corners’; very visual, adding depth to the story telling.
I must also devote a little ink to discussing the drawings. Wow! They are, in every way, wonderful. There is a sort of ‘classic’ feel to them, as if they were draw a century ago. Charming, wonderfully colorful, the mother and the child simply jump off the page. Ema Tepic, the illustrator, is a very talented lady.
Who do I recommend this book to? Well, most children aged 3 – 6 would, I think, enjoy it. It’s not a ‘happening’ book; there’s not a dragon in sight. No speeding cars. No monsters in underpants. But I think any young child will love the flow of the words, the message and the delightful drawings. Also, I suspect, the mother will enjoy it too. In many ways, this book is a love letter to child. How could any child not enjoy that?
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
22nd March, 2020
TITLE: I Dreamed of You
AUTHOR: Justine Avery ILLUSTRATOR: Ema Tepic
Star Rating: 4.5
‘A sweetly illustrated rhyming story, perfect for mother’s day! Perfect for ANY DAY!’ The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
This must be the perfect gift EVER for mother’s day. Or a gift to a child on a birthday. Or, simply, a book a mother can enjoy with a child, where every page is celebrating the child and the love of the mother. Very simply written, it begins with the ‘child’ being a sort of wispy dream; the mother to be – or wanting to be – feeling incomplete. The rest of the story is very much illustrating how important a child is to a mother and how that child can grow up to be anything he or she wants to be. Or, as the author puts it, ‘There’s no one you can’t be, nothing you can’t do.’
If I was to be a tiny bit critical, I do think the rhythm is a little off here and there. But, other than that, the writing style – and even the font – works perfectly for a book of this nature. Take this verse here,
You light up my days
Make the dark corners go away
You are the spark
Erasing the old ways
Simple! I particularly liked ‘dark corners’; very visual, adding depth to the story telling.
I must also devote a little ink to discussing the drawings. Wow! They are, in every way, wonderful. There is a sort of ‘classic’ feel to them, as if they were draw a century ago. Charming, wonderfully colorful, the mother and the child simply jump off the page. Ema Tepic, the illustrator, is a very talented lady.
Who do I recommend this book to? Well, most children aged 3 – 6 would, I think, enjoy it. It’s not a ‘happening’ book; there’s not a dragon in sight. No speeding cars. No monsters in underpants. But I think any young child will love the flow of the words, the message and the delightful drawings. Also, I suspect, the mother will enjoy it too. In many ways, this book is a love letter to child. How could any child not enjoy that?
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
May 2, 2020
Wow... way to put on the pressure.
This isn't my first Justine Avery book (I start with that as a pseudo explanation for the weird title) and because I know them I can say that Avery books tend to have a theme, I might even go as far as saying a deep theme. This one is no exception and like most others I've read from her the title offers most of the insight you'd need into what that theme is going to be. This one is about parenthood, or more specifically what “the dream” (a baby) means to the parent (I'd say by the pictures the mother but in this day and age it's more realistic to think it parent). If you look at the book as a whole I think it's fair to call it a touching, aspirational piece that calls babies a precious future.
But again I'd have to reiterate that's as a whole. My problem? this part:
“You light up my days, make the dark corners go away. You are the spark erasing the old ways.” Am I the only one thinking that's some HUGE expectation being laid down? That said, IF it's an “expectation” then it's smoothed out with this other part:
“You shine your light just by being you, sending away shadows, showing me more than I knew.” This second one had me breathing easier however it didn't quite dislodge me from the notion that the first part nudged me towards, the old 'having a problem? Have a baby.' way of thinking. Insert cringe, and that's mostly why I don't rate this book higher. Purely subjective and I blame no one for only seeing the positive side of this (I just couldn't do it). Like other Avery books the visuals are beautiful, the words are too and I'm sure the message is heartfelt and comes from a good place.
Overall all this is nice and I could recommend this to new (or aspiring) mothers and fathers and maybe to those who are expecting too but I wonder if anyone else would appreciate it as much.
This isn't my first Justine Avery book (I start with that as a pseudo explanation for the weird title) and because I know them I can say that Avery books tend to have a theme, I might even go as far as saying a deep theme. This one is no exception and like most others I've read from her the title offers most of the insight you'd need into what that theme is going to be. This one is about parenthood, or more specifically what “the dream” (a baby) means to the parent (I'd say by the pictures the mother but in this day and age it's more realistic to think it parent). If you look at the book as a whole I think it's fair to call it a touching, aspirational piece that calls babies a precious future.
But again I'd have to reiterate that's as a whole. My problem? this part:
“You light up my days, make the dark corners go away. You are the spark erasing the old ways.” Am I the only one thinking that's some HUGE expectation being laid down? That said, IF it's an “expectation” then it's smoothed out with this other part:
“You shine your light just by being you, sending away shadows, showing me more than I knew.” This second one had me breathing easier however it didn't quite dislodge me from the notion that the first part nudged me towards, the old 'having a problem? Have a baby.' way of thinking. Insert cringe, and that's mostly why I don't rate this book higher. Purely subjective and I blame no one for only seeing the positive side of this (I just couldn't do it). Like other Avery books the visuals are beautiful, the words are too and I'm sure the message is heartfelt and comes from a good place.
Overall all this is nice and I could recommend this to new (or aspiring) mothers and fathers and maybe to those who are expecting too but I wonder if anyone else would appreciate it as much.
June 27, 2020
You ever stop & think about the dreams you had?
Was there or is there someone special in your heart you think about?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great hand-drawn colored pictures & proper font & writing style. A very professionally written (Free verse poem) storybook. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters, settings, etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great poetic movie, a classroom presentation, an animated cartoon, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is an extremely easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author(s); Suteki Creative; FreeBooksy; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Was there or is there someone special in your heart you think about?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great hand-drawn colored pictures & proper font & writing style. A very professionally written (Free verse poem) storybook. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters, settings, etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great poetic movie, a classroom presentation, an animated cartoon, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is an extremely easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author(s); Suteki Creative; FreeBooksy; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
January 30, 2024
I Dreamed You is a picture book by Justine Avery, and illustrated by Ema Tepic. It is like a letter to a child, told through rhyme. It features a woman, dreaming of having a child, and making remarks about her feeling like the child had been missing from her life.
I think the book is nice. It’s basically a love letter to the child. I think it’s very heartfelt and special. It’s sort of still a story, but not told in a traditional story way. Some of the rhymes are really nice, and feel very pleasant. It’s one of those types of books that aims to be positive and upbeat. And I think it accomplishes that reasonable well.
The pictures are really pretty. There’s a lot of great textures that the illustrator has used. In the opening pages, there’s a really lovely scene of a woodland area, with a wonderful tree, surrounded by flowers and mushrooms. The artist has put some really nice detailing into all of the pictures.
Overall, I think it’s nice. There’s a lot of lovely moments, and it’s a book that’s full of love. And the illustrations are simply beautiful.
I think the book is nice. It’s basically a love letter to the child. I think it’s very heartfelt and special. It’s sort of still a story, but not told in a traditional story way. Some of the rhymes are really nice, and feel very pleasant. It’s one of those types of books that aims to be positive and upbeat. And I think it accomplishes that reasonable well.
The pictures are really pretty. There’s a lot of great textures that the illustrator has used. In the opening pages, there’s a really lovely scene of a woodland area, with a wonderful tree, surrounded by flowers and mushrooms. The artist has put some really nice detailing into all of the pictures.
Overall, I think it’s nice. There’s a lot of lovely moments, and it’s a book that’s full of love. And the illustrations are simply beautiful.
May 3, 2020
A bit teary
This is a cute and heartwarming love letter from mother to child. I have have a daughter on the way and this made me melt a bit reading it. As I kept reading I thought about how much I want to work on a book with her at some point in the future. Teach her to be a creator and not just a consumer. I'm working on a similar project that I'm hoping I can share with her as she gets older and that I hope is eventually meaningful and useful to her. Long story short this is a great children's book.
This is a cute and heartwarming love letter from mother to child. I have have a daughter on the way and this made me melt a bit reading it. As I kept reading I thought about how much I want to work on a book with her at some point in the future. Teach her to be a creator and not just a consumer. I'm working on a similar project that I'm hoping I can share with her as she gets older and that I hope is eventually meaningful and useful to her. Long story short this is a great children's book.
May 8, 2020
This is the second book I’ve read by Avery and I was not disappointed. The imagery evoked by the simple but descriptive language, the beautiful love shown by a mother to her child, and the encouraging and strong flow of the book each combined to make this woman cry.
I have not yet experienced the honor of being a mother but knowing how deeply and unconditionally my own mother loves me, I have no doubt that this book rings true for all the mothers out there. So glad to have read this book and I can’t wait to read it to my children one day.
I have not yet experienced the honor of being a mother but knowing how deeply and unconditionally my own mother loves me, I have no doubt that this book rings true for all the mothers out there. So glad to have read this book and I can’t wait to read it to my children one day.
July 15, 2020
I Dreamed You
Thanks so very much Ms Justine Avery and Ms Emma Tepic for such a lovely, hopeful and caring book. It was heartfelt that this mother’s dream came through and her whole world changed because of her dream. I would recommend this as a bedtime story for children to know without a doubt that they are loved beyond measure! I gave this book five stars because it actually touched my granddaughter and I hearts. Thanks so very much for your wisdom about being LOVED! 🙏🙏🙌🙌❤️❤️👏👏👍👍
Thanks so very much Ms Justine Avery and Ms Emma Tepic for such a lovely, hopeful and caring book. It was heartfelt that this mother’s dream came through and her whole world changed because of her dream. I would recommend this as a bedtime story for children to know without a doubt that they are loved beyond measure! I gave this book five stars because it actually touched my granddaughter and I hearts. Thanks so very much for your wisdom about being LOVED! 🙏🙏🙌🙌❤️❤️👏👏👍👍
May 4, 2020
A Beautifully Crafted Piece
I chose this rating because this story was well written and beautifully crafted. It spoke of the unique and precious relationship between a mom and her child. It was very poetic and creative. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to read about motherly love.
I chose this rating because this story was well written and beautifully crafted. It spoke of the unique and precious relationship between a mom and her child. It was very poetic and creative. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to read about motherly love.
May 7, 2020
Beautiful !! Great for Mother’s Day.
Wow! What a lovely children’s book. The illustrations were just as beautiful as the story line. I enjoyed the flow of this read and felt it was an amazingly beautiful story, I was truly able to feel the love in each line. I would highly recommend this book. It would make a wonderful gift for Mother’s Day.
Wow! What a lovely children’s book. The illustrations were just as beautiful as the story line. I enjoyed the flow of this read and felt it was an amazingly beautiful story, I was truly able to feel the love in each line. I would highly recommend this book. It would make a wonderful gift for Mother’s Day.
May 13, 2020
Beautiful poetry represented for a child
This was such a pleasure to read. I loved the rhyming of words and words so dear to the heart. I will claim this book for all the new moms I know. This is the best baby shower book ever. I was a school teacher would have loved to read to kindergartners. You will not be disappointed.
This was such a pleasure to read. I loved the rhyming of words and words so dear to the heart. I will claim this book for all the new moms I know. This is the best baby shower book ever. I was a school teacher would have loved to read to kindergartners. You will not be disappointed.
April 8, 2021
How a Loving Parent Anticipates their Baby
This book perfectly describes how I anticipated my son. I envisioned him as I drove to work, or spent idle time. I lived for my kids and so they gave me strength to endure and vision to thrive.
This is a simple book that captures perfectly the power of love for one's children.
This book perfectly describes how I anticipated my son. I envisioned him as I drove to work, or spent idle time. I lived for my kids and so they gave me strength to endure and vision to thrive.
This is a simple book that captures perfectly the power of love for one's children.
May 5, 2020
Sweet Little Story
I absolutely loved this beautifully written and illustrated story. It reminded me of a book my mother used to read us when we were kids and will be one I read over and over to my own. Absolutely lovely and highly recommend this.
I absolutely loved this beautifully written and illustrated story. It reminded me of a book my mother used to read us when we were kids and will be one I read over and over to my own. Absolutely lovely and highly recommend this.
May 14, 2020
I Dreamed You is another super-cute and endearing story from Justine Avery! Highlighting the love between littles and the ones who love them, this book is great for any collection. It's sweet and has amazing illustrations to go along. Love this cuteness!
June 16, 2020
I enjoyed this book. The idyllic illustrations perfectly complement the tender letter of love from a mother to her child. Especially poigniant for those who have struggled with and overcome infertility.
August 19, 2020
This book said everything that is in my heart about the gift I have been given...4 children
Motherhood is a special gift and babies make your heart grow in ways you never could imagine. Our four children blessed me live in so many ways!
Motherhood is a special gift and babies make your heart grow in ways you never could imagine. Our four children blessed me live in so many ways!
June 30, 2021
I love this book!
As a woman who adopted a baby, this book is perfect. We dreamed for 18 years until our baby found us and made life so wonderful! A wonderful and fast read with beautiful pictures for a wonderful story.
As a woman who adopted a baby, this book is perfect. We dreamed for 18 years until our baby found us and made life so wonderful! A wonderful and fast read with beautiful pictures for a wonderful story.
June 7, 2020
A sweet reading!
A beautiful poem about motherhood and a mother's love. The story is completed with whimsical illustrations that kids will love.
A beautiful poem about motherhood and a mother's love. The story is completed with whimsical illustrations that kids will love.
June 15, 2020
Review
I really enjoyed it! Thought it was really fun for new moms or parents to read to their child. Being a mom this book spoke to me.
I really enjoyed it! Thought it was really fun for new moms or parents to read to their child. Being a mom this book spoke to me.
July 17, 2020
Beautiful
Lovely poetry & pictures.
I will look forward to reading this to my little one. 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
Lovely poetry & pictures.
I will look forward to reading this to my little one. 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
July 18, 2020
Beautiful!
Lovely illustrations and a sweet story. I can see this being read over and over again to a child you love.
Lovely illustrations and a sweet story. I can see this being read over and over again to a child you love.
July 24, 2020
A book you could/ should read to kids daily.
July 27, 2020
Beautiful story
Sweet story to help explain the bond between mother and child. Beautifully illustrated and heart felt. Reminds me how special our bond is with our children.
Sweet story to help explain the bond between mother and child. Beautifully illustrated and heart felt. Reminds me how special our bond is with our children.
August 1, 2020
My favorite thing about this book is that it doesn't include a man and can be easily read as a single woman who really wanted a child and decided to have one on her own.
August 16, 2020
Such a beautiful story
The words,the pictures and colors. The entire thing is just so beautiful! We loved it ♡ Will definitely be buying a hard copy♡
The words,the pictures and colors. The entire thing is just so beautiful! We loved it ♡ Will definitely be buying a hard copy♡
August 29, 2020
Beautiful artwork
The artwork is stunning and the words are short and sweet. A nice book for the Kindle fire. Good for those quiet moments.
The artwork is stunning and the words are short and sweet. A nice book for the Kindle fire. Good for those quiet moments.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews