Dreams of Near and Far - by Martin Widmark (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Noah and Mia have never met. They live far, far apart but look out upon the same sea. Noah is heartbroken when his old dog Gus dies. He slips into dreams, searching for his lost friend, but instead finds something unexpected. Mia has no home, only her cat Olive. So when Olive sets off travelling, Mia follows her on a surprising journey. Will Mia and Noah discover all they've dreamed of? Poignant and uplifting, this is a story of finding hope and a home"--Front flap.

Book Synopsis

A poignant and uplifting story of hope, friendship, and finding happiness

USBBY2023 Outstanding International Books List

Noah and Mia have never met. They live far, far apart but look out upon the same sea.

Noah is heartbroken when his old dog Gus dies. He slips into dreams, searching for his loyal friend, but instead finds something unexpected.

Mia has no home, only her cat Olive. So when Olive sets off travelling, Mia follows her on an unexpected journey.

Will Mia and Noah find all they've dreamed of?

Poignant and uplifting, Martin Widmark's story of finding hope and a home is accompanied by stunning illustrations from Emilia Dziubak, which alternate between the two characters' interconnected journeys. Martin and Emilia are co-creators of The House of Lost and Found (also an USBBY Outstanding International Book), and of Little Pearl.

Review Quotes

USBBY Outstanding International Books List 2023

'A beautiful story about two young children who seem worlds apart yet have so much in common... From the poignant illustrations to the heartwarming storyline, this is unquestionably a masterpiece for children and adults alike.' --San Fransisco Book Review, 5 stars

'It is a quiet, gentle story, which has left us in a peaceful, contemplative place after each reading. Enter a fantastical world where dreams and life intermingle, transporting us away from the craziness of our lives for a while... The color palette used in each illustration enhances the mood of the text, moving from darkness to light as hope and happiness grows in the characters.' --My Kids Read the World

Praise for The House of Lost and Found:

'In this complex and mature tale of reawakening, pages boast dark, richly detailed illustrations aglow with deftly conjured light.' --Booklist Online

'Widmark's melancholy story about loneliness gains atmosphere and, ultimately, lift from Dziubak's beautiful illustrations, hand-drawn using colored pencils. Children will pore over the details and delight as Niles banishes murky darkness with light... Lovely.' --Kirkus Reviews

'An absolutely fantastic book, which truly left me speechless. It is a book that talks about loss, about finding hope, and of new beginnings, with extraordinary illustrations and a simple, yet very profound text. It is the kind of book that captures every reader, young and old, and definitely one of a kind.' --Our World of Wonder

'The illustrations are dreamy, reminding me of Rembrandt, each one a work of art... Perfect.' --Youth Services Book Review

Praise for Little Pearl:

'An imaginatively illustrated fantasy with a dreamlike feel.' --Publishers Weekly

'This is a magical story combined with beautiful pencil illustrations - a real treat! 5/5.' --Youth Services Book Review

'[A] beautifully illustrated, imaginative story.' --Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Martin Widmark is the bestselling Swedish children's author of over 100 books. His titles consistently top Sweden's bestseller lists and have been translated into more than thirty-five languages. Before becoming a full-time author, Martin worked as a middle-school teacher and a Swedish language teacher for immigrants, and now uses his experiences to promote reading and literacy for young people. He is the author of The House of Lost and Found and Little Pearl (Floris Books). Emilia Dziubak is an award-winning artist from Poland. She is a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Poznan and has illustrated numerous children's picture books that have been translated into many languages. She is the illustrator of USBBY- listed The House of Lost and Found, as well as Little Pearl and Dreams of Near and Far, also co-created with Martin Widmark.