As the summer activities start winding down it’s time to start getting out the books and doing a bit more reading. Dallas Clayton, the author and illustrator of An Awesome Book, and I thought it would be a great end-of-summer treat to give away his very awesome book!
I am super excited to share this really fun book with you. It’s about dreaming big, and you know I love that! My kids and I have read it a hundred times, so we came up with some silly & fun questions together. Mostly they are about dreams and bedtime and reading. All good stuff.
What is the best dream you remember having as a kid?
Most of the dreams I had as a kid were about magic places and exploration. I wish I had a dream journal from ages 6-12, I bet it would read like the most nonsensical comic book/adventure series ever. Lots of time travel and super powers I’m sure. More parents should have their kids keep dream journals, specifically for the ability to reflect on them once the kids are all grown up.
Did you have a stuffed animal/friend that you slept with at night. Does your son?
I had a rubber snake that I would chew on. I grew up on a farm and apparently the rubber snake was some sort of gag gift from my parents friends, but I just took to it so there’s all these photos of me running around naked chewing on this realistic looking rubber snake. There was also some issue of my grandparents thinking the snake was totally disgusting. Fear of snakes maybe? I dunno, these are just the stories that you hear your parents tell that stick with you. As for my son he keeps a roving cast of stuffed animals each one carrying a special meaning depending on the day. His current favorite is a long-tailed cat named “Billy.”
Do you have a good trick for keeping away bad dreams?
Before you go to bed try to remember all of the amazing things in the world that make you happy and that you are lucky to have in your life. This should do the trick. (It’s also great for when you are getting frustrated about something petty.)
Did you have a favorite book or story that you liked when you were a kid?
I was a big fan of the superfudge series, also anything by shel silverstein, Richard Scarry, Roald Dahl, and Dr. Seuss. Those guys rule!
If you could dream up a machine that made/did 3 different things at once, what would it make/do?
It would make people happy, create food for the masses, and allow me the ability to fly.
We love the illustrations of your book, what is your favorite animal/creature to draw?
I’m honestly just learning to draw. An Awesome Book was the first book I ever drew and now I’m painting and drawing all sorts of things I never could before, but currently I’m a big fan of dinosaurs. Sidewalk chalk and dinosaurs can’t be beat.
Do you have a favorite quote or saying that you’d like to share?
Dream Big!
Big thank you to Dallas for sharing a little bit about himself and his dreams. You can watch a short video about the children’s literacy foundation that he set up around the book here, and read An Awesome Book online for free. Also check out the mural he was commissioned to make on a children’s clothing store this month. It’s pretty rad.
***To win your very own copy of this great book, please leave a comment by August 26th, and I’ll announce a winner later this week.***
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Great interview Regina!! Book looks awesome too!
I love it. Perfect for back to school reading.
This is the type of children’s book I buy for my personal library. The message is outstanding and much needed.
Nancy
This looks like an outstanding book!!! Will have to read it during my lunch hour but looks like a great one for ALL ages!
Oh, that book makes me smile!! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
I’ve been meaning to get that book. Thanks for doing this giveaway.
I’ve had my eye on this book for a while now. I think my 3-year old is ready for it!
What a great idea to get my kids to start a dream journal. They always have fun and crazy dreams. Great review 🙂
Holy cow, please enter me as well!
Super fun and inspiring. I read the online version to my little man tonight on the iPad. It was great but hard to see the beatiful stretched spreads on the little screen. I’d love to have a hard copy for easy of bedtime reading. You always find the coolest stuff! =)
This book is soooooo totally AWESOME!!! We don’t have it but I took a moment to read through the online version. I smiled and smiled imagining how much joy we will get reading it together. Even if I don’t win, it WILL be on my list of books to purchase for Christmas this year! 🙂
Ashlyn
This book looks simply lovely! It is inspiring to read about artists/writers following their dreams – I enjoy reading interviews as well ~
Please enter Art Nest in your giveaway – Many thanks!
Looks like a great book. Thanks for posting the interview.
Wow – what a great post and an intriguing book! If I don’t win, I’ll need to add that to my wish list for my kiddos. THanks for sharing!
Oh Regina, what a sweet post! And love the “awesome” photo. Whata’ cool mom you are!
So happy when you stop by for a visit…
LOVE bed time storytime. Ruby is really starting to enjoy looking at books and saying “the end” when we finish one. Would love to add this book in to our circulation:)
What a great book!
I had so much fun reading the book on line. I’d love to get it in my hands.
What an awesome interview! I would love to have this book to add to my grandchildren’s collection. Thanks for the opportunity!
I don’t have any small children anymore but my niece would love this book. Thanks for sharing!