About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is processing a deep sense of loss or feels a heavy responsibility to protect their family from the 'nightmares' of real life. It is an ideal bridge for the child who is ready to move beyond simple bedtime stories into more complex explorations of grief and agency. Marly's family runs a shop that sells bottled dreams, but after her brother's tragic death, the magic feels broken. When a mysterious stranger begins stealing the town's good dreams, Marly must confront her fear and her sorrow to save her remaining family. It is a hauntingly beautiful metaphor for the way grief can make us want to hide from the world, and how bravery is often found in the choice to keep dreaming. While it features spooky elements and moments of peril, the core is a secular, hopeful exploration of resilience that is perfect for readers aged 8 to 12.
