"Magical family story about stepping away from the noise and discovering your own magic."
At the start of the book, Emily Webster seems like an 11 year old any reader would recognise, forgetting homework and sometimes a bit too distracted by her phone and friends. But her mum finds a listing for an old farmhouse and the family take a year off from a busy suburban life to move to an area with no internet, television or phone. What follows opens Emily’s eyes to a wonderful world of imagination that allows her to understand more about herself without her previous distractions.
Emily Swan and the Dream Pillow also delivers more than just Emily’s story, showing how the move allows her parents to also take a step back from their busy jobs and running errands and discover what brings them joy and allows them to create magic. This is an interesting book for encouraging children to step away from their devices. There are some entertaining characters, with the brusque Star Lady and magical talking radio that adds humour to the story. The dream pillow is a unique tool for getting Emily to connect and explore her imagination. I also liked that there was an emphasis, like with the whistle, on Emily to be independent, to try to find her own solutions instead of relying on magical assistance. This is a sweet story about savouring the little things and taking the time to dream.
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| Primary Genre | Indie Author Books |
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