That is My Dream!

Hughes, Langston & Miyares, Daniel. (2017). That is My Dream! New York: Schwartz & Wade.

32 Pages, Grade Level K-12, Poetry Picture Book, ISBN: 0399550178

That is My Dream! is the poem "Dream Variation" written by Langston Hughes and transformed into a picture book with illustrations by Daniel Miyares.  Langston Hughes (1902-1967) was an influential writer and leader in the Harlem Renaissance and primarily wrote about African-Americans.  In this poem and picture book, he and Miyares tells a story of hope whilst depicting the segregated life in the 1950s through the eyes of a young African-American boy.  Miyares illustrates drinking fountains for "Whites Only" and "Colored Only" and paints the "Colored" people in the back of the bus and the "Whites" in the front.  Miyares conveys Hughes' dream of freedom and acceptance by painting the children of both races--together--flying with birds and resting under a tree.  

Langston Hughes used rhyme, rhythm, symbolism, and imagery to beautifully tell a story, which makes me love this book even more because it can be used across curriculum to teach both literary devices and history.  This picture book can be read again and again by any age.  Miyares captures the essence of each line of the poem so perfectly.  Together, Hughes and Miyares, portray what segregation was like, and this book can be used to talk about the Harlem Renaissance, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., the Civil Rights Movement, slavery, and anything else that relates to African-American history.  In addition, this book can be used to talk about current social issues, especially issues that relate to race, as well as encourage children to include everyone and treat everyone kindly.  It is no wonder why it received an award for Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People 2018; it truly deserves it, and in my opinion it should receive additional awards for the literature and beautiful illustrations.  I love this book and will definitely buy a copy and use it in my lessons.