Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dreams are focus in creative book about loss and renewal.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
It's almost nighttime, and THE DREAMATICS have been putting their finishing touches on their daily tasks. Lights warm the mood, scents have been released, weather has been cued, and the actors have taken their place. In a theatre called The Lunerian Grand, it's almost showtime, as a 10-year-old named Luna closes her eyes. When she falls asleep, the show begins, and the Dreamatics are in charge of her dreams. In Luna's waking life, however, a tragedy occurs, and a new crew overtakes The Lunerian Grand, spreading their nightmarish ooze everywhere. Can the remaining Dreamatics reestablish their magical ways? Or will The Bad Dreams take over forever?
Is It Any Good?
A swirling, intricate, poetic book about the agents behind the theater of dreams, this book explores grief and its after-effects in a frenzy. Because there is so much going on, so many characters, so many new words, The Dreamatics tends to spread itself a little thin. Funny, yes, and cute, but the soul of the story—the human character, Luna—doesn't get as much attention as the many doors opening in her imaginary psyche.
Kids who like fantasy and adventures are likely to be charmed by the fairy tale imagery and lyricism in The Dreamatics. But the frenetic pace of the book tends to focus more on lyrical decor than substance.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about perseverance in The Dreamatics. What would happen if the characters helping Luna gave up? Can you see a big challenge through to the very end?
Characters in this book express compassion for their loved ones. In which situations do you notice you feel compassionate toward others?
Even when things are dark and scary, characters use courage to get them through tough moments. Can a person cultivate courage? Or does it come and go?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Emotions
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Arts , Animals
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Rocky Pond Books
- Publication date : September 12, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 320
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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