The last to leave the shelf

Children's books that forever changed my life.

I often tell people that every book they read to a child they read to themselves, and therefore not to miss the urgent message that is being delivered into their own hands, from none other than their own lips, and through their own eyes.

Of late, as I've recounted, the shelves of my daughter's room have been cleared of those things that never had much to give or from which every use has already been wrung. A few children's books remain, all of which my daughter has outgrown, none of which I have or ever will.

This week I'm going to recommend them to you. Some are rather obscure; others, not. Each of them arrived into my hands and heart when I needed them most. Every time I read them is precisely when I need them most. I entrust their magic to you.

Pierre's Dream
By Jennifer Armstrong
Pictures by Susan Gaber

Pierre is a lazy, foolish man who has no job, no interests and no hobby besides sitting under the olive trees in the afternoon thinking of dinner. That alone recommends him as a hero to me, however in this telling he does far more. He falls asleep, and he begins to dream a dream of fantastic proportions and unbelievable feats.

"Very realistic," he murmured. But as it was his dream, or so he thought, he had no fear. "For of course, I can wake up at any time," he reminded himself.

Pierre taught me to stop distinguishing between those things I only dream of doing, and those I do. He teaches me still. The distinction, you see, is only fear.

Pierre's dreams are very realistic, and so are yours. Wake up and surprise yourself beginning with this book!