Dream Friends

“[Reminiscent] of the classic 'Goodnight Moon' with its haunting, twilight-inflected color scheme.” – The New York Times Book Review

You Byuns sparkling debut establishes her as a major picture book talent.

Melody has the most wonderful friend in her dreams. They do all sorts of magical things together. But when Melody wakes up, shes back in the real world, where she hasnt yet made a friend. Then her dream friend inspires her to make some moves that help Melodys dream of friendship come true.

Ms. Byun's art is full of delightful details and fantastic scenes that children will want to pore over again and again.

 

* “Byuns debut establishes this young artist as a remarkably polished talent. Her illustrations are the books raison dêtre. . . . Byuns warm, grainy spreads have the look of lino prints, and her detailed drawing creates an atmosphere of visual abundance. . . . Combined with an instinctive knowledge of objects that please children, Byun has created a diminutive paradise, a bedtime destination that children will want to visit again and again.” Publishers Weekly, starred review

“The unusual color palette, swirling peach and gold and violet and turquoise during the fantasy scenes, sets this book apart, as do debut author Byuns textured, retro-style illustrations. A visual wonderland from an artist to watch.” Booklist

“Soft sunset colors and unusual imagery welcome readers into a childs dream world. . . . Swirly, expressive spot and full-bleed art. . . . This gentle story celebrates imagination and bravery in new circumstances.” School Library Journal

“Rocks with simple, solid rhymes (encouraging participation and pleasingly predictable to listeners). . . . A joyful, one-sided conversation that narrates the everyday pleasures that spring from the care for a small child. . . . Visually describe[s] the variety of tiny experiences a single day with a toddler brings as well as a parents intense focus on their little one. . . . Cozy, predictable, cheerful and brimming with motherly love—a dependably pleasing read-aloud for the smaller set.”

“Endearing. . . . Easy to imagine how these pages could become a go-to source of calm and comfort. Ashman and Byun make a case that in both noticing and being noticed, we are loved and lucky.”

“Ashman deftly integrates rich vocabulary into her couplets. . . . The soft colors and spare details suit the intended young audience.”

" Reminiscent] of the classic 'Goodnight Moon' with its haunting, twilight-inflected color scheme." - The New York Times Book Review

You Byun's sparkling debut establishes her as a major picture book talent.

Melody has the most wonderful friend in her dreams. They do all sorts of magical things together. But when Melody wakes up, she's back in the real world, where she hasn't yet made a friend. Then her dream friend inspires her to make some moves that help Melody's dream of friendship come true.

Ms. Byun's art is full of delightful details and fantastic scenes that children will want to pore over again and again.

In this delightful love letter to a growing child, Linda Ashman and You Byun celebrate the magic of those fleeting days of early childhood. Their lively read-aloud shows the delight to be found in the world of a toddler. Every day brings new milestones and adventure—and little Buttercup is eager to reach out and experience it all, while her mother is always eager to reach out with a hug. Rhyming text captures a mother and baby's joy in their shared time, and charming paintings make all the moments—both quiet and boisterous—shine.

Linda Ashman (www.lindaashman.com) is the author of more than twenty-five picture books, including, most recently, Rain!, which Kirkus called “altogether delightful” in a starred review. Her books have been included on the “best of the year” lists of The New York Times, Parenting and Child magazines, the New York Public Library, the IRA/CBC and more. She lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her husband, son, and two dogs. 

 

You Byun (www.youbyun.com) wrote and illustrated Dream Friends, and her work has appeared in numerous galleries and magazines around the world. Born in Queens, New York, she grew up in Korea, Japan, and the US, and received her MFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, where she goes on a daily afternoon walk wishing she had a dog like Buttercups.