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This post was originally shared May 23, 2011.
Little M has been having bad dream after bad dream. Some weeks she wakes up at least once every night. It is terrible for her. . .and exhausting for me! We found these wonderful children’s books and worked some activities around them. I thought I would show you the review before I reveal the cool things we did!
by Lindan Lee Johnson illustarted by Serena Curmi
I love, love, love this book. I was immediately drawn to the pictures. The illustrations are fun and unique. They are colorful and playful. This is the type of book that I imagine pulling art from to hang on the wall. The story has so many wonderful characteristics. First, the little girl is told that it is her fabulous imagination that causes the dreams. (I know Little M’s vividly creative stories follow her into bedtime.) It is the older sister who so skillfully helps cure the bad dreams. (I love sibling cooperation.)
The answer to her problem is shifting her imagination. . .she holds the key. (Yeah!) As if all of that is not enough, this book leads to an awesome little project!!!! Make sure to see our take on The Dream Jar!
There’s a Nightmare in My Closet
By Mercer Mayer
This book takes a silly look at the bad dream problem. The main character figures out how to keep his nightmare from getting out of control. Once he takes action, the nightmare turns into a very sad and vulnerable mess.
I love the kind-hearted solution to keeping nightmares at bay (and tucked in tight). We made our own Nightmare Bed.
by John Rocco
Moonpowder is another winner. The art is beyond gorgeous and the story is captivating. It is a wonderful take on a little boy’s reluctance to sleep because of the lack of sweet dreams. Eli Treebuckle (the main character) is the “fixer of all things fixable”, his dreams are no exception.
John Rocco is my new favorite writer/illustrator, and I can’t wait to get back to the library to see just what else he has written. Check out our sweet dream collector.
Click here to see DREAM LESSON PLAN. Do you have a favorite DREAM book?
This post contains affiliate links. As always, all opinions are mine. Read the fine print.
I love the illustrations, will check out these. I do a regular feature on my blog:Book Sharing Mondays. I would love it if you linked up
We love Silly Billy by Anthony Browne. Not a dream book but about a little boy who worries a lot when he goes to bed.
Isil recently posted..Book Sharing Monday-Some dogs do
I don’t think I have read any of these books! I need to give my library an updo!!
Deborah J Stewart recently posted..Why should I do that same old boring art activity in preschool
Do you know where I can find the book The Dream Jar? Amazon has it listed for $500! Does anyone know why this is?
I searched it on Amazon and Ebay… I can’t believe they are asking that much. It’s a good book, but not that good!
I borrowed it from the library. Barnes and Noble offers it on Nook. Otherwise maybe you’ll find it a garage sale and make a ton of money. 
Some of causes of sleep disorders are emotional and these emotions are often expressed in bad dreams. Children may be afraid to sleep or wake up and be unable to go back to sleep because of nightmares and bad dreams. I am a child psychotherapist who has written a children’s book for ages three and up, Mommy, Daddy, I Had a Bad Dream! (http://www.mommydaddyihadabaddream.com) to empower children to understand their bad dreams. Joey, a young kangaroo, has a series of bad dreams which his parents lovingly help him to understand. By the last dream, Joey can make sense of it himself and put himself back to bed. Once children realize that bad dreams are caused by upsetting events from the previous day and that they can be seen as puzzles to be solved, they are intrigued and empowered rather than frightened and helpless.
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