A Perfect Season for Dreaming / Un tiempo perfecto para soñar - Softcover

Saenz, Benjamin Alire

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1933693622 ISBN 13: 9781933693620

Publisher: Cinco Puntos Press, 2010

Synopsis

[Children] will respond to Sáenz's elemental warmth and rhythmic storytelling.” Publishers Weekly, starred review

Young readers will enjoy its structure, numbers and playful dreams, while more sophisticated readers and even adults will find reasons to return to it again and again.” Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Seventy-eight-year-old Octavio Rivera looks forward to the beautiful dreams that visit during his afternoon siesta. If only he could share them with someone. But his brother would think he is getting old. And his friends would think he ate too many gorditas. Oh, but his granddaughter Regina. She will understand!

About this title

Review:

"While a counting book in concept, Sáenz’s text is layered with multiple meanings ... Young readers will enjoy its structure, numbers and playful dreams, while more sophisticated readers and even adults will find reasons to return to it again and again." Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Valencia gives these visions an odd and wonderful dignity...Children who require stories with defined contours may find the flood of images off-putting; others will respond to Sáenz's elemental warmth and rhythmic storytelling." Publisher's Weekly, starred review

"Told with poetic text and colorful, full-page acrylic illustrations filled with surreal imagery, this is an attractive bilingual title. Particularly moving is the special connection between the old man and the child. Recommended for all libraries and bookstores." Criticas

"The traditional artwork is a fitting complement to Saenz’ folktale-like prose. Just like Regina, young readers will marvel at the beauty, richness, and unpredictable qualities of Octavio’s dreams. Readers of all ages will appreciate the sincere affection between grandfather and grandchild in this intergenerational story. A perfect book for sharing aloud." ForeWord Magazine

"This is a wonderful book for people of all ages; both parents and children will enjoy the creative story and beautiful illustrations." Oneota Reading Journal

"A pleasant read that leaves the reader feeling as if they have just woken from their own peaceful afternoon slumber." El Paso Scene

About the Author:

BENJAMIN ALIRE SÁENZ was born in his grandmother's house in Picacho, New Mexico--on the outskirts of Las Cruces, New Mexico where Juliana in Hollywood is set. He was the fourth of seven children and was brought up in a traditional Mexican-American Catholic family. His family spoke mostly Spanish at home, and it was only through his education in the public schools that he learned to speak and write in English. He entered the seminary in 1972, a decision that was as much political as it was religious: he was heavily influenced by such Catholic thinkers as Thomas Merton, Dorothy Day, César Chavez and the Berrigan brothers. After concluding his theological studies at the University of Louvain, he was ordained a Catholic priest. Three and a half years later, he left the priesthood. At the age of 30, he entered the Creative Writing Program at the University of Texas at El Paso. He later received a fellowship at the University of Iowa, and in 1988, he received a Wallace E. Stegner Fellowship in poetry from Stanford University. In 1993 he returned to the border to teach in the Bilingual MFA program at the University of Texas at El Paso. His most recent book of poetry, Elegies in Blue, was published by Cinco Puntos Press in 2002. This is his first book for young adults.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cinco Puntos Press
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1933693622
• ISBN 13: 9781933693620
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Andrade Valencia Esau