Dream Street

Starred review from July 1, 2021
Preschool-Grade 2 *Starred Review* Collaborating cousins Walker and Holmes offer an inspirational nod to the predominantly Black neighborhood of their childhood in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Dream Street, ""the best street in the world,"" is home to many adults and children who set positive examples for those around them. Retired mail carrier Mr. Sidney dresses ""to the nines"" and urges everyone to have a good day; Belle studies butterflies and dreams of being a lepidopterist; Azaria hones her considerable rope-jumping skills; Dessa Rae nurtures her garden and her grandbaby, Little Song; and Ede (Holmes) burnishes her artistic talents while cousin Tari (Walker) scribbles stories in her notebook. The text flows lyrically, highlighting the natural talents of Dream Street residents as well as the encouragement they receive from community members. Holmes' colorful, mixed-media collage artwork shines through the vibrant portraits she creates of the street's residents, incorporating aspects of their dreams and personal style, showing each individual for who they are: a jewel-bright treasure. Whether she's depicting Zion surrounded by stacks of library books, or the Phillips brothers posed in their Sunday best, readers will note the earnest determination of this community to become their best selves. Beautiful and uplifting, this salute to the importance of family and friends will resonate widely.

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Starred review from August 2, 2021
Each spread in this powerful evocation of a warm, closely knit Black neighborhood offers a short sketch-in-language of one of its inhabitants by Elam Walker (Nana Akua Goes to School) and a vivid, brilliant collage portrait by Holmes (What Do You Do with a Voice Like That?)—cousins who, they explain in a note, grew up in such a neighborhood themselves. Belle, who wants to be a lepidopterist, catches butterflies in a jar but always lets them go: “Everything has a right to be free.” Zion, who’s always reading, whispers to the librarian, “Can boys be librarians?” (“Of course they can!” she whispers back.) Grown-ups live on Dream Street, too: Dessa Rae dozes with her grandbaby Little Song; her magnolias “make your eyes feel heavy, as if they want to close.” From elders like Mr. Sidney, the retired mail carrier dressed “to the nines,” to small children such as young Benjamin, who listens to the big kids playing after his bedtime, everybody knows everybody else, their lives are intertwined, and positive messages abound: “Don’t wait to have a great day,” says Mr. Sidney—“Create one!” A buoyant celebration of community nourishment, extolling the virtues of supporting children in dreaming freely and fully. Ages 4–8. Agent (for Elam Walker and Holmes): Regina Brooks, Serendipity Literary.

Starred review from September 1, 2021

K-Gr 3-Meet the residents of Dream Street-the best street in the world-in this uplifting, joyful picture book that celebrates the power of possibility. Each spread introduces readers to one of the Dream Street locals, such as Mr. Sidney, a man reading the newspaper on his stoop while "dressed to the nines." Azaria, meanwhile, is the undisputed Double Dutch queen of the neighborhood, while Zion travels the world through his library books. The collage illustrations, made with found and created papers, fabric, and acrylic paints, capture the individuality and personality of each Dream Street dweller, all of whom are Black. The story's conclusion emphasizes the world of opportunity and adventure that awaits the children of the neighborhood. Reallife cousins Walker and Holmes provide a note about the inspirations behind the story. VERDICT This celebratory series of vignettes that becomes so much more than the sum of its parts overflows with Black joy and is an invaluable addition to all collections.-Olivia Gorecke, Cape May Cty. Lib., Ocean View, NJ

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from September 1, 2021
Dream Street: a microcosm of the African Diaspora where relationships matter and dreams thrive. It's "the best street in the world," as described by the book's offstage narrator. To reveal the fabric of this community -- based on the childhood of cousins Walker (Nana Akua Goes to School, rev. 5/20) and Holmes (Black Is a Rainbow Color, rev. 1/20) -- the author creates descriptive vignettes about individuals and families from many different backgrounds. Children play outside until the streetlights come on; Mr. Sidney, a dapper retired postman, reads the paper on his front stoop and tells all who walk by to make the great day they want to have; a girl named Belle catches butterflies in a jar but then releases them (she aspires to become a lepidopterist). Accompanied by Holmes's lively and layered collage illustrations, these vignettes emphasize what each person contributes to Dream Street. From the youngest children to Ms. Sarah (a.k.a. the Hat Lady, "who has lived on Dream Street longer than anyone"), everyone has dreams that others honor. The images, created with acrylic paint, found and handmade papers, and fabric, display vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and detailed portraits that reveal the beauty of the neighborhood's inhabitants. A stunning work of art that dismantles stereotypes about Black communities and portrays a place where love abounds. Michelle H. Martin

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

September 1, 2021
Dream Street: a microcosm of the African Diaspora where relationships matter and dreams thrive. It's "the best street in the world," as described by the book's offstage narrator. To reveal the fabric of this community -- based on the childhood of cousins Walker (Nana Akua Goes to School, rev. 5/20) and Holmes (Black Is a Rainbow Color, rev. 1/20) -- the author creates descriptive vignettes about individuals and families from many different backgrounds. Children play outside until the streetlights come on; Mr. Sidney, a dapper retired postman, reads the paper on his front stoop and tells all who walk by to make the great day they want to have; a girl named Belle catches butterflies in a jar but then releases them (she aspires to become a lepidopterist). Accompanied by Holmes's lively and layered collage illustrations, these vignettes emphasize what each person contributes to Dream Street. From the youngest children to Ms. Sarah (a.k.a. the Hat Lady, "who has lived on Dream Street longer than anyone"), everyone has dreams that others honor. The images, created with acrylic paint, found and handmade papers, and fabric, display vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and detailed portraits that reveal the beauty of the neighborhood's inhabitants. A stunning work of art that dismantles stereotypes about Black communities and portrays a place where love abounds. Michelle H. Martin

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from August 1, 2021
In an already-special neighborhood, a very special street ensures that a community is able to thrive. Dream Street is an appropriately named space for Black kids to play and grow with the nourishment and support of their elders. From the chalk drawings and hopscotch boards to the garden behind Dessa Rae's house or Ede's treasure trove at the top of the hill, the neighborhood very much teems with life and the aspirations of these young people. Holmes' brilliantly hued collage work and Walker's detailed genealogy of the street show how Ms. Sarah the Hat Lady, the dapper retiree Mr. Sidney, Ms. Barbara the friendly librarian, and several other adults have all paved the way for Dream Street to be an avenue of communal enrichment and thoughtful preparation for everything that awaits these kids. The book is more a collection of character studies than a story, and each double-page spread is devoted to one person or, sometimes, a group. Walker's text sits opposite Holmes' portraits, which occupy as much space as they need. The five Phillips boys, all named for jazz musicians, stand close together for a single-page vertical composition in their Sunday suits; Dessa Rae's portrait extends across the gutter, allowing her to stretch out in a chaise longue with grandbaby Little Song pillowed on her chest. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Dreams for Black children manifest in striking art as the very idea of street is reimagined. (author & illustrator's note) (Picture book. 4-10)

COPYRIGHT(2021) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

July 1, 2021
Dream Street: a microcosm of the African Diaspora where relationships matter and dreams thrive. It's "the best street in the world," as described by the book's offstage narrator. To reveal the fabric of this community -- based on the childhood of cousins Walker (Nana Akua Goes to School, rev. 5/20) and Holmes (Black Is a Rainbow Color, rev. 1/20) -- the author creates descriptive vignettes about individuals and families from many different backgrounds. Children play outside until the streetlights come on; Mr. Sidney, a dapper retired postman, reads the paper on his front stoop and tells all who walk by to make the great day they want to have; a girl named Belle catches butterflies in a jar but then releases them (she aspires to become a lepidopterist). Accompanied by Holmes's lively and layered collage illustrations, these vignettes emphasize what each person contributes to Dream Street. From the youngest children to Ms. Sarah (a.k.a. the Hat Lady, "who has lived on Dream Street longer than anyone"), everyone has dreams that others honor. The images, created with acrylic paint, found and handmade papers, and fabric, display vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and detailed portraits that reveal the beauty of the neighborhood's inhabitants. A stunning work of art that dismantles stereotypes about Black communities and portrays a place where love abounds.

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)