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Forest of Dreams
A child praises God for the beauty of nature.
18 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1988
About the author
Rosemary Wells
488 books388 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Rosemary Wells is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. She often uses animal characters to address real human issues. Some of her most well-known characters are Max & Ruby and Timothy from Timothy Goes To School (both were later adapted into Canadian-animated preschool television series, the former’s airing on Nickelodeon (part of the Nick Jr. block) and the latter’s as part of PBS Kids on PBS).
Rosemary Wells is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. She often uses animal characters to address real human issues. Some of her most well-known characters are Max & Ruby and Timothy from Timothy Goes To School (both were later adapted into Canadian-animated preschool television series, the former’s airing on Nickelodeon (part of the Nick Jr. block) and the latter’s as part of PBS Kids on PBS).
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 14, 2017
A girl enjoys winter and spring with all of her senses. Beautiful oil paintings of animals and sweet, simple praise to the God or creation.
August 24, 2019
Beautiful pictures!
December 31, 2021
This was a book that I found at a free library on the Main Street of downtown Lindsborg and it is rather sweet. The inside front cover shows a winter wood down to the trees in ice while if you flip to the back cover you will see the same scene in a flush of Spring.
As for the telling of the story itself it is a beautiful lyrical story that explores a young girl outside enjoying the outdoors. But even as winter lays in control she knows that within the creatures and the land there is a shift coming up even as she counts her blessings which allow her to experience all these wonderful changes. And to also allow her to relate to those other creatures of God who are going through the same experiences as she is.
With the beautifully detailed and colored pictures the reader is invited out into the cold to participate in this reminder of their own blessings even as they learn to celebrate the new season coming up. And slowly just like our protagonist may we happily listen to God's whisper underneath the dark cold and learn to happily enjoy those days that help us to shed the weight of winter for much happier celebrations where all things are made new again where it be our own worries or the fawns who gambol with the baby bunnies and butterflies in the fields.
As for the telling of the story itself it is a beautiful lyrical story that explores a young girl outside enjoying the outdoors. But even as winter lays in control she knows that within the creatures and the land there is a shift coming up even as she counts her blessings which allow her to experience all these wonderful changes. And to also allow her to relate to those other creatures of God who are going through the same experiences as she is.
With the beautifully detailed and colored pictures the reader is invited out into the cold to participate in this reminder of their own blessings even as they learn to celebrate the new season coming up. And slowly just like our protagonist may we happily listen to God's whisper underneath the dark cold and learn to happily enjoy those days that help us to shed the weight of winter for much happier celebrations where all things are made new again where it be our own worries or the fawns who gambol with the baby bunnies and butterflies in the fields.
April 23, 2024
This has been a favorite of mine since childhood - Susan Jeffers' illustrations capture New England beauty through the seasons masterfully and Rosemary Wells' conveys the simple but powerful message of gratitude for the Earth and the God who created it!
April 11, 2021
Good pictures ok story
March 30, 2015
In the Forest of Dreams, a little child takes the reader through a series of scenes in the forest. The scenes show a transition through the seasons, going from winter to spring, and shows the different animals that are out during this time too.
The text in this book is simple for younger children to read along with the parent or teacher to. The author constantly uses "God lets me," and "God gave me" on about every page of the book. The child explains how they are thankful for all the things in the forest. The text also seems like a short little poem with the way that the author had the text on each page seemed to rhyme.
The illustrations are realistic images that draw the attention of the children. It's really amazing how the illustrator made the changes in the season very settle, and not noticeable. It forces the reader to place close attention to the detail in each photo. The readers can see the five senses illustrated through the character.
The text in this book is simple for younger children to read along with the parent or teacher to. The author constantly uses "God lets me," and "God gave me" on about every page of the book. The child explains how they are thankful for all the things in the forest. The text also seems like a short little poem with the way that the author had the text on each page seemed to rhyme.
The illustrations are realistic images that draw the attention of the children. It's really amazing how the illustrator made the changes in the season very settle, and not noticeable. It forces the reader to place close attention to the detail in each photo. The readers can see the five senses illustrated through the character.
March 19, 2016
06/09: I learned about this one from "Books That Build Character." From that book: "Forest of Dreams" is a little girl's hymn of thanksgiving for God's marvelous handiwork -- nature and her own five senses...
From the inside flap:
Rosemary Wells and Susan Jeffers, two distinguished children's book creators in a unique collaboration, invite the dreamer in everyone to share in the celebration of the coming of spring. Deep beneath the blanketing snow the earth is sleeping peacefully. But any child can sense the ice melting and revel in nature's dreams of summer -- the expectant mother doe; a bird singing from an icy, glistening pine branch; field mice stirring in their burrows. As the days grow longer and snow yields to sifting rain and then to warm sunshine, look and listen as a young girl rejoices with all of nature's children at the return of spring.
From the inside flap:
Rosemary Wells and Susan Jeffers, two distinguished children's book creators in a unique collaboration, invite the dreamer in everyone to share in the celebration of the coming of spring. Deep beneath the blanketing snow the earth is sleeping peacefully. But any child can sense the ice melting and revel in nature's dreams of summer -- the expectant mother doe; a bird singing from an icy, glistening pine branch; field mice stirring in their burrows. As the days grow longer and snow yields to sifting rain and then to warm sunshine, look and listen as a young girl rejoices with all of nature's children at the return of spring.
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August 11, 2011I love Susan Jeffer's intricate illustrations; paired in this book with Rosemary Wells' simple rhyme about spring, they make a lovely book that I need to add to my shelves! Remniscent of Narnia, the front end papers show wintry trees while the back shows the same trees covered in spring blossoms. As a Christian, I found this book especially meaningful as each page asserts "God gave me strength" or "God gave me ears", etc. ending with "God gave me time to listen. God gave me everything." The pictures show winter turning to spring. I really love this book! It's well worth re-reading many times.
July 12, 2014
Jeffers provides beautiful artwork to Wells' religious-themed verse.
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July 9, 2009JENF-Wel
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews