Before I Wake Up...

A little girl dreams and is accompanied in her dream travels by her stuffed lion friend, who becomes real. He holds her when she is frightened and goes with her, traveling on foot, flying and sailing. They meet all sorts of wild creatures that are friendly. But when the morning's light comes, they run through the red jungle back home to bed where a new day begins. The story is written in rhyme and is a reassuring explanation of dreams for the very young.

 

--News & Record
Britta Teckentrup['s]...illustrations are as magically wonderful as ever . . . Teckentrup establishes a dream landscape in a variety of ways. Sometimes the narrator is seen multiple times on a page, sometimes she seems to float across the page . . . While I am a big fan of Teckentrup's style, I think that my favorite thing about Before I Wake Up... is the book itself . . . This gorgeously designed book...is printed on thick matte paper with a sturdy paper-over-board cover and stitched binding that makes reading it a multi-sense experience. Before I Wake Up... is a memorable book that children will cherish, but also one that makes a beautiful gift.

 

--Books4YourKids.com
Before I Wake Up... is a touching bedtime progression of dream images that contains a reassuring core concept of feeling safe, loved and protected through a journey of slumber. Stunning, soft dark textured colors pervade the collage-like artwork, following a girl and her lion companion through exploring many new places, meeting wild animals in a wood on a mysterious path. The girl is unafraid, for her lion companion looms large by her side, always protecting her. Although the girl is tempted to stay in the night wood, she feels the night lightening towards a new day, and runs with her brave lion out of the red jungle toward morning's light. The girl says goodbye to her nighttime companion and travels, and is transported magically to a wonderful new day, with her favorite stuffed lion toy companion still by her side. Before I Wake Up... is filled with poetic imagery and quiet thoughts that have deep appeal to young children, especially at bedtime.

 

--Midwest Book Review
Written in poetry fashion, I like the contrasting colors and art. Perhaps best for very young children.

 

--Hooked on Books
Britta Techentrup's work is utterly sublime and we are never disappointed by her offerings, but her latest book Before I Wake Up... has to be one of our favorites to date.

 

--Picturebooks Blogger