The Weaving of a Dream

by Marilee Heyer

THE WEAVING OF A DREAM is a picture book that sticks with me for a variety of reasons. The first is that my paternal grandfather gave it to my family. The second is that the story line is one that still makes me slightly teary eyed (but that doesn't take much). The third reason is the artwork is some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Marilee Heyer brings the world to life.

THE WEAVING OF A DREAM is based on a Chinese folk lore. The story is about a woman with three sons. She is the best weaver in the valley and between her tapestries and her sons' firewood they are able to make enough money to survive. One day when she is at the market she comes across a beautiful painting. She buys it and decides to make a tapestry on it. When the tapestry is complete it is blown out the door and is taken. The three sons must then decide whether to go after the tapestry or chose another path. When the youngest son is given the choice he shows true love and courage willing to risk everything to help his mother. And as with all of my favorite books his sacrifice is rewarded and things turn out wonderfully in the end.

I remember even as a child being entranced by the beautiful artwork. I knew the story and would just go through the pictures retelling the story to myself. When I got older I bought the book for myself just so I would be able to read it to my children. This is a picture book that I will always treasure. This book is one of the big reasons that I wished I could draw and paint so enrolled in an art class a couple of years ago.