Common Sense Media Review
By Stephanie Snyder
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
A beautiful celebration of nature, dreamers, imagination.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In EVERY DREAMING CREATURE, a child narrator dreams of being a variety of animals - a salamander, an elephant, a falcon, and more. In each dream, the narrator explores how it would be to live as that animal. For example, as a tiger, "Then there I was. A silent hunter, sneaking slyly. All the world was crackling dry twigs as I carefully placed my paw upon the earth." Unfortunately, for the dreamer, each dream is interrupted, presumably by a caregiving adult. However, as the beauty of the animal experience is highlighted, so the narrator emphasizes the joy of the human experience.
Is It Any Good?
This sweet, gentle story dares to see life from a different perspective. Every Dreaming Creature taps into the childhood experiences of curiosity, imagination, and wonder, making it easily relatable for young readers. Brendan Wenzel, known for his unique style, captures those characteristics and the attention of all readers, through his whimsical art. With its poetic word choice and dreamy illustrations, it is sure to become a bedtime story favorite for kids and grown-ups alike.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about empathy in Every Dreaming Creature. How does the narrator show appreciation for each animal? What positive words or phrases does the author use when dreaming about the creatures?
Look at the pictures in the book. Do you think this book is good for bedtime? What makes it feel dreamy?
Pick an animal in the book. What do you think it's like to be that animal? What makes you think so?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Adventures , Animals ( Ocean Creatures , Wild Animals )
- Character Strengths : Curiosity , Empathy
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : September 26, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Hardback
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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