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

"While a counting book in concept, Saenz'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 Saenz'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

"The story's rhythmic, repetitive structure makes it an excellent read-aloud. . . . Meanwhile, [Esau Andrade] Valencia's bright oil paintings evoke the joy of dreams and imagination. . . . Children of all backgrounds will enjoy it."-School Library Journal Ninety-two-year-old Octavio Rivera is a beautiful dreamer. And lately he has been visited by some very interesting dreams-dreams about pinatas that spill their treasures before him, revealing kissing turtles, winged pigs, hitchhiking armadillos and many more fantastic things! Octavio doesn't tell anyone about his dreams except his young granddaughter Regina because she alone understands beautiful and fantastic dreams. On the ninth afternoon Octavio prepares for his siesta hoping to be blessed with one last lovely dream. That afternoon he dreams of a sky full of sweet and perfect hummingbirds calling his name over and over again... Like Margaret Wild's marvelous book Old Pig, A Perfect Season for Dreaming unfolds the sweet possibilities in relationships between the very old and the very young. Benjamin Alire Saenz--novelist, poet, essayist and writer of children's books-is at the forefront of the emerging Latino literatures. He has received the Wallace Stegner Fellowship and the Lannan Fellowship and an American Book Award. He teaches at the University of Texas at El Paso, and considers himself a fronterizo, a person of the border. Esau Andrade Valencia, born in Mexico, comes from a family of folk artists. Although still young, he is increasingly recognized as a master artist in the tradition of the great painters such as Diego Rivera and Rufino Tamayo, in whose footsteps he follows. Esau's paintings are included in the collection of The Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach as well as in the Downey Museum of Art in California.