An amazing building rises on the edge of town – it’s the dream factory. Every night, it sends out magical mist. Flying cars, flower cakes and talking tigers fill people’s dreams. And the next day, the people make those dreams come true. But when a kererū flies into the dream factory, and a feather floats into a cog, everything goes terribly wrong.
This is a fantastic and fantastical story, about the importance of dreams, creativity and individuality. Author Steph Matuku uses rich language to tell the story of the dream factory, with phrases and words that roll of the tongue. It's interesting too that there's no main character as such in the book.
Illustrator Zak Ātea blends rich colour with texture to create an atmospheric and moody world. Her artwork is utterly beautiful, enticing the reader in and making them linger on the page. There's lots to spot within the book, including a cute kererū trying to make amends.
While pitched at children between 5 to 8-years-old, The Dream Factory straddles the line of being a sophisticated picture book and will hold a wider appeal. These books weave words and pictures to tell a story, providing subtexts and requiring readers to draw on existing knowledge. They're highly effective and engaging children with reading and also make for a great read-aloud for caregivers with older children, allowing them an 'in' to discuss complex issues. There's lots to explore with The Dream Factory that Matuku skillfully draws the reader into, without outright stating it. I can see this picture book being a real asset in an school, with a passionate teacher able to utilise it with any age or any curriculum area.
The book is also available in te reo Māori as Te Wheketere Moemoeā.
The Dream Factory is a beautiful story and book, which will help imaginations unfurl.
Reviewer: Rebekah Lyell
Huia Publishers