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If I Had a Little Dream

Illustrated by Melissa Castrillon

About The Book

A Spring 2017 Indie Next Selection

Nina Laden’s warm and lyrical picture book sees and appreciates through a child’s eyes how fortunate we are to live in the world we do.


Celebrate the wonder of the world in this reassuring picture book about the joy, love, and beauty that is part of each and every day. Our world is full of possibilities if you look for them.

About The Author

Ed Spicer

Nina Laden is the author-illustrator of many books for kids, including the Peek-a series; Who Loves You, Baby?; The Night I Followed the Dog; Yellow Kayak; Dear Little One; and Love Is My Favorite Color. She lives with her husband on Lummi Island, Washington. Visit her online at NinaLaden.com.

About The Illustrator

Photo courtesy of the illustrator

Melissa Castrillon studied at the Cambridge School of Art where she earned a first class honors degree in illustration and a master’s degree in children’s book illustration. She is the illustrator of If I Had a Little Dream by Nina Laden. She is also the author-illustrator of The Balcony, which received the Society of Illustrators Gold Medal. Her book Dear Little One, by Nina Laden, was a School Library Journal best picture book of the year. Her books have been published all over the world. She lives in Cambridge, England, with her husband.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (February 7, 2017)
  • Length: 32 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781481439251
  • Ages: 4 - 8

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Raves and Reviews

"Rhyming stanzas explore the notion of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary ...Easy on the eyes and ears; excellent for bedtime." Kirkus Reviews

– Kirkus Reviews, November 1, 2016

"A genial, dreamy girl narrates a sweet world of possibility in this cozy bedtime read....Taken together, the lulling lines and lovely artwork cultivate a snug, welcoming atmosphere ideal for one-on-one sharing before saying good night." — Booklist

– Booklist, November 15, 2016

"Illustrator Castrillon debuts with a splash....Castrillon’s artwork carries the words to a place where birds bring tea and cupcakes to the window, thistly flowers grow as high as trees, and houses are just the right size for a single child. She’s a talent to watch. " Publishers Weekly

– Publishers Weekly, 11/21/16

"Castrillon creates a dreamlike tone with her pencil illustrations,..A sweet bedtime selection." School LIbrary Journal

– School Library Journal, January 2017

A Spring 2017 Indie Next Selection

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More books from this author: Nina Laden

More books from this illustrator: Melissa Castrillon