Review by Booklist Review
This picture book ponders the untold backstory of the famed sleep bringer, the Sandman. Tor, an inches-tall man who gets around in a mouse-drawn chariot, cannot sleep, no matter what he tries. Then he happens upon a dragon scale during a jaunt in the woods. He discovers that the powder made by grinding down the scale induces sleep and travels far and wide to sprinkle his amazing sand in the eyes of sleepless children. Fletcher's spin on the classic character responsible for suddenly leaden lids is helped along by Cowdry's quaint, deeply hued artwork. Especially appealing is the clever detailing of Tor's miniature world a postage stamp hung as art, warm baths taken in a ladle as well as the Sandman's gentle, grandfatherly face as he spreads his magic dust night after night. While there is a nice touch of adventure when Tor must restock his supply from a fire-breathing dragon, the beast is not frightening enough to sour the dreams sure to follow this charming and comforting bedtime tale.--Chipman, Ian Copyright 2008 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-This fabulous story explains the origins of the Sandman. Tor is a tiny fellow who finds a dragon's scale. Taking it home to his workshop, he studies it and then starts to sharpen it. The dust that gathers makes him fall asleep. Once awake, it's a small leap for him to imagine how helpful this dust will be to all who suffer from sleeplessness, especially children. Fletcher's smoothly written story flows in a thoroughly plausible way and is beautifully served by Cowdrey's vibrant acrylic paintings. Especially intriguing are the wonderful little details, like Tor's mouse-drawn carriage made out of buttons. The old-fashioned look is refreshingly straightforward, free of irony and adult-oriented nostalgia. All in all, this is a compelling story with pictures that add drama, charm, and atmosphere.-Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Tor, a miniature man, discovers that small flakes from a dragon's scale cure his insomnia. Eager to help others fall asleep, he bravely collects more scales, sands them down, and visits children, tossing the magical sand over their eyes. Though the plot is uninspired, acrylic illustrations round out the story by providing amusing details about Tor's tiny existence. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
For those who wonder how sleep comes, here's the answer: It is due to the magical sand the tiny and daring Sandman, Tor, grinds from a dragon's scale and sprinkles over sleepless children each night. While the mythical beast sleeps, the little old man braves the fire-breathing dragon's lair, waiting for a chance to retrieve any scales that may pop off into the dust. Fletcher's fantasy narrative fleshes out the familiar trope by combining worlds of fairy-tale-forest settings with average household bedtime environments. Much like a Santa Claus figure, each evening Tor rides through children's bedroom windows on his miniature mouse-drawn button-wheeled cart to spread his sleep-inducing emerald sparkle-dust. Cowdrey's deeply colored acrylics of flora, fauna, one frightfully greenish and nostril-smoking dragon, workshop scenes and angelically dozing children alternate with black-and-white images of a cherubic dimple-chinned bald and white mustachioed tiny gentleman hard at work. Bedtime fodder for the slightly older, wide-eyed and wakeful preschooler. (Picture book. 4-6) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
