Puffin book of big dreams - stories to spark your imagination
Penguin, 2020. ISBN: 9780241438206. 409p.
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. A week-long festival surrounded the
launch of this book in the UK to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of Puffin in
publishing. In June 2020, #PuffinDreamer invited the faithful to
live-streamed author readings and writing activities on social
media.
Puffin's hardback tome compiles excerpts about dreams or aspirations
from the most lauded books published since 1940, under the little
bird's brand. Many short stories, reflections and poems by
contemporary writers and children, link the anthology to the present
and the future. Allegories like, King of the World by
Charlie Higson and Doris the Chicken who Saved the World
written and illustrated by Mini Grey, bolster dreams beyond personal
ambition and reference popular culture to envisage a better world.
Ballet Shoes and The Borrowers represent some of the
timeless classics, and we are delighted anew with the
anthropomorphism of Charlotte's Web and the Sheep-Pig.
Our imaginations continue to soar with the BFG and Truckers
and we remain touched by the profundity of Stig (of the
Dump) or Wonder by R.J. Palacio.
Puffin's prophets are assembled in a mighty tribute, not only as a
legacy but to show tomorrow's children the importance of reading,
writing and dreaming, to enrich our lives. The piece most indicative
of the spirit of this important sampler of children's literature is
The A-Z of Amazing. Rashmi Sirdeshpande shows kids and adults
alike, how a life must be lived to the full in this succinct primer.
Undoubtedly, a life without Puffin's books would be a very poor life
indeed.
Dreamers are too many to mention but anticipate: Helen Oxenbury,
Roald Dahl, Dick King-Smith, Patricia Forde, Sam Copeland, Clive
King, Jill Murphy, Michael Morporgo, Nazneen Ahmed, Raymond Briggs
and dozens of the A-list authors and illustrators signed by Puffin.
Puffin also acknowledges the social context when selecting, so it's
not surprising to sample quotes and motivational pieces from
brilliant leaders, scientists and actors.
Thank you all at Puffin for 80 years of big dreams, or seeds of
dreams and perhaps the impetus for achieving our own legacies and a
better world. Keep handy, it's bound to help the patron deciding
'who' to read next, or a captive class with only a few minutes for
literature appreciation. And to celebrate the 80th anniversary of
Puffin, throughout the month of September 2020, you'll be able to
score your very own Puffin water bottle for FREE! All you have to do
is visit your local bookstore and purchase two Puffin books of your
choice to receive your water bottle - at participating bookstores
while stocks last.
Deborah Robins