What do you think?
Rate this book
Ambrose And The Cathedral Dream
Ambrose the mouse longs to follow in the tradition of his mouse family and help to build the cathedral. However, his mouse cousins tease him because he has been too busy daydreaming to practice the somersaults that startle the tired workers and help them to stay awake. Ambrose resolves to not only help build the cathedral, but to help William the Master Builder find his dream. Join the adventure as Ambrose discovers a way to help William and prove to his mouse cousins and to himself that he can be of value in the building of the cathedral. With lavish, detailed illustrations by award-winning artist Katalin Szegedi, this story will teach children ages 4-10 about the architecture of a medieval cathedral and inspire them to pursue their dreams.
- GenresPicture Books
32 pages, Paperback
First published November 10, 2006
5 people want to read
About the author
Margo Sorenson
40 books19 followersFun ahead for young readers with Margo's two newest picture books, LITTLE CALABASH (Island Heritage, Fall 2020) and CALVIN GETS THE LAST WORD (Tilbury House, October 2020), which was featured in the New York Times Children's Books review. Margo's 30th book, YA/Adult novel SECRETS IN TRANSLATION set in Italy was released in 2018 by Fitzroy Books. Her 27th book, picture book SPAGHETTI SMILES was released in 2014 by Pelican Publishing. Margo Sorenson was born in Washington, DC, and spent the first seven years of her life in Spain and Italy, devouring books and Italian food. She finished her school years in California, graduating from the University of California at Los Angeles. After teaching high school and middle school and raising a family of two daughters, Margo is now a full-time writer, writing primarily for young people of all ages, toddlers through high schoolers. Margo enjoys writing for young readers since she believes they are ready for new ideas and experiences, and they really have fun "living" the lives of the characters in books. She enjoys meeting with her readers in school and library settings from Minnesota to California and Hawaii.
Besides winning recognition and awards for her books from various groups, including finalist for the Minnesota Book Award, nominations from the American Library Association and winning the Milken National Educator Award, Margo was invited to donate and archive her working papers with the internationally-known children's literature collection, the Kerlan Collection, at the University of Minnesota. After having lived in Hawaii, California, and Minnesota, Margo and her husband now live full-time in Rancho Mission Viejo, California. When she isn't writing, she enjoys visiting her grandchildren, playing golf, reading, watching sports, traveling, and hearing from her readers. Margo is represented by Dan Cramer of Page Turner Literary Agency.
Besides winning recognition and awards for her books from various groups, including finalist for the Minnesota Book Award, nominations from the American Library Association and winning the Milken National Educator Award, Margo was invited to donate and archive her working papers with the internationally-known children's literature collection, the Kerlan Collection, at the University of Minnesota. After having lived in Hawaii, California, and Minnesota, Margo and her husband now live full-time in Rancho Mission Viejo, California. When she isn't writing, she enjoys visiting her grandchildren, playing golf, reading, watching sports, traveling, and hearing from her readers. Margo is represented by Dan Cramer of Page Turner Literary Agency.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 28, 2020
Definitely for a limited audience -- it's a religious book that never mentions religion!
Generations of mice grow up in a half-built cathedral, knowing that their duty is to somersault across the floor to keep the workmen awake. Why is the cathedral important? Why do the mice care? Never addressed.
I assume the author expected it to be read only by Christian children who would make the connection that the cathedral is for the glory or God, or to inspire the worshipers.
Given that it is intended as a didactic text, I found it disappointing that the bullying and mockery of all the mouse children is never checked by the adults or discussed as a bad thing. Even Ambrose doesn't do or say anything that makes him seem especially nice; we're just sorry for him because he is no good at his "job" (when the important moment comes he is able to somersault; there is no suggestion* that different people may have different gifts). Only cousin Emma is at all kind, and she is only good in the traditionally feminine mode of comforting and encouraging. She doesn't stand up to their peers.
Quite disappointing.
*To the contrary, the builder is portrayed as legitimately unhappy that his son doesn't want to follow in his footsteps, and the problem is resolved by the boy agreeing to become a builder after all. So I guess the message is becomes what your father (there are no mothers) tells you to be, regardless of whether you want to or have talent. Daydreaming is bad!
Generations of mice grow up in a half-built cathedral, knowing that their duty is to somersault across the floor to keep the workmen awake. Why is the cathedral important? Why do the mice care? Never addressed.
I assume the author expected it to be read only by Christian children who would make the connection that the cathedral is for the glory or God, or to inspire the worshipers.
Given that it is intended as a didactic text, I found it disappointing that the bullying and mockery of all the mouse children is never checked by the adults or discussed as a bad thing. Even Ambrose doesn't do or say anything that makes him seem especially nice; we're just sorry for him because he is no good at his "job" (when the important moment comes he is able to somersault; there is no suggestion* that different people may have different gifts). Only cousin Emma is at all kind, and she is only good in the traditionally feminine mode of comforting and encouraging. She doesn't stand up to their peers.
Quite disappointing.
*To the contrary, the builder is portrayed as legitimately unhappy that his son doesn't want to follow in his footsteps, and the problem is resolved by the boy agreeing to become a builder after all. So I guess the message is becomes what your father (there are no mothers) tells you to be, regardless of whether you want to or have talent. Daydreaming is bad!
Displaying 1 of 1 review