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Awards/Reviews/Readers Comments
Midwest Independent Publishers Association Children’s Book of the Year
Recommended Book List - Brodart Español
Top Pick - BWI
¡Colorín Colorado! Book of the Month
"...[nice] portayal of the slow and steady passing of the summer growing season. The impressionistic pastel illustartions suit the quiet mood perfectly, and the Spanish translation is adeptly done. "
—School Library Journal
"...Schneider's warm pastels are rich and the results pleasing...Both English and Spanish texts are smooth and competent..."
—Kirkus Reviews
"...lush illustrations by Claude Schneider almost bear framing. The Spanish text appears on the same page with the English, a format that is conducive to learning the vocabulary for both languages..."
—San Antonio Woman Magazine
"...large colorful illustrations combine time-honored realism with the basic elements of impressionism. Each picture dramatically enhances the text of the opposite page...a delightful story packed with lessons on nurturing virtue and building valuable character. I recommend this book for both the school and home library. It is a book parents can read to their children or for a primer for early readers. Very well done and impressive."
—Richard R. Blake, Christian Education Consultant
"...a wonderful book with colorful pictures especially for kindergarten through third grade children to read and learn about gardens..."
—The Nashville News
"...soft Monet-like illustrations I wouldn't mind framing...A sweet, hope-filled story with many subtle but profound messages of the joy of working together, the satisfaction found in working toward a goal, that the rewards far outweigh effort expanded and that we must work to make our dreams a reality "
—AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS, Carolyn R. Scheidies reviewer
"...easy to read...great for any office where families have to wait or in libraries, because both Hispanics and English-speaking families can use it. "
—Susan Langford for readerviews.com
"...an enchanting tale...endearing, bright illustrations catch the heat & meditative quality of gardening in this bilingual story that unfolds in a dreamy gentleness. So much so that you will start yearning to garden..."
—Rebecca Brown for rebeccasreads.com
"...Claude Schneider combines realism with impressionism...His illustrations give the narrative "an old-fashioned story feel"...With an English/Spanish text, a key word vocabulary page, and equal print size for both languages, Vegetable Dreams is sure to appeal to both groups of children..."
—JoAn Martin, The Baytown Sun, Baytown, TX
"...a great learning tool to help introduce children to another language...wonderful combination of text in two languages and bright, gentle illustrations children will be sure to enjoy."
—Wee Ones Magazine "...The book breezes along at a quick pace and the bilingual aspect is truly educational for all, with a vocabulary index at the back...The artist, Claude Schneider, manages to bring the story to life using soft, chalk-line drawings, bringing Dawn Jeffers' treasure Vegetable Dreams close to a reader's heart. *HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"
—Lea Schizas - The Muse Book Reviewer
"Congratulations on a very well written and sweet book. One of the other Spanish teachers and I were clipping the story (serialized version in newspapers) and we were happy to find that it is now available in book form. It was fun to watch the grammar progress in difficulty as the story line progresses. It will be a perfect teaching tool not only because it is a wonderful story, but because the use of past tenses make it such a teachable resource."
—Lynn Nuthals–Spanish teacher, Green Bay, WI
"...I suspect there will be many children wanting to plant a garden after reading Dawn Jeffers' book...A wonderful spring addition to a child's library."
—Armchair Interviews
“Several ESL teachers are using Seedfolks in their reading classes. Vegetable Dreams should be introduced with it as it parallels well. The Spanish not only provides a point of comparison but also helps maintain the first language. Students are aided by the preterite and imperfect tenses used to build their vocabulary.”
—Sally La Luzerne-Oi, Hawaii Pacific University
"...The book's format is sophisticated but the passages on each page are not overwhelming for a learner of either language. Soft, uncluttered illustrations complement the text and invite conversation. Along with practical vocabulary and a satisfying story there runs the gentle theme of kindness and friendship. Vegetable Dreams / Huerto soñado is highly recommended for schools and English/Spanish learners of all ages.”
—Carole Schoneman, MA Education
“Tender and sensitive, Vegetable Dreams / Huerto soñado would appeal to reflective children who sense the value of special relationships. Impressionistic illustrations add to the warmth of the story, which shows the rewards of patience. This story of growing vegetables while developing a friendship will appeal to all the senses.”
—State of Ohio Library
“…well done …something that children would enjoy…authentic, especially in Latino/a culture.”
Kathy Henn-Reinke, University of Wisconsin—Oshkosh
“…This touching book, which contains text in both English and Spanish,
demonstrates the benefits of both hard work and non-traditional friendships. The
story would be ideal for a lesson or unit on relationships or the elderly. Children
would also enjoy sharing the book with grandparents or older adults…”
Children’s Literature
“…This book teaches children how to cooperate and share with others. It is a
story taking the reader back into a different kind of childhood, the kind where
old-fashioned values are alive and well. We can see ourselves in this story and
it provides a feeling of warmth…”
Herald-Star, Steubenville, OH
“…The family develops closer ties with the neighbor and with each other. The vivid
illustrations add to the warmth of the story.”
Learning Ability Books
“…warm, full-color, impressionistic art brings to life a gentle story about a young
woman who wants to create a wonderful garden for everyone to enjoy. A timeless tale
about the virtues of sharing and friendship, Vegetable Dreams is a first-class
picture book and especially for youngsters learning English and Spanish as they grow up!”
Midwest Book Review
“I appreciate the pursuit of a dream, the telling of it, the longing for it, the
discovery that sharing your dream can bring unexpected help, unexpected gifts
and eventually the joy of its realizations. Ms. Jeffers quiet, gentle style is
comforting and helped me imagine the soft moist earth, the sprightly excitement
in new plants and the warming embrace of the golden sun on a sweet summertime
day. What a treat!”
Rebecca Hellman, New York, NY
“This book helps to recapture the many good times I had in our garden. Thank
you for writing this book. It’s wonderful!”
Cheryl Kroll ,Green Bay, WI
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