El Atrapasueños (the Dream Catcher) - by Marcelo Verdad (Paperback)

About the Book

"A Mexican child who works selling dream catchers alongside his abuelito learns that treasuring the present moment is as important as chasing one's hopes and dreams for the future"--

Book Synopsis

Ganador del Premio Pura Belpré para Ilustración Infantil

Para los fans de Last Stop on Market Street llega una historia inspiradora sobre un niño que se mantiene fiel a su sueño más grande mientras encuentra magia en cada momento.

Algunas personas sueñan con olas perfectas, castillos lujosos o pilotear un avión. Otras sueñan con alguien con quien reír y jugar el día entero. Algunas solo sueñan con tener comida para el día siguiente.¿Y el pequeño Miguel? Mientras él y su abuelito trabajan bajo el ardiente sol oaxaqueño vendiendo cocos y atrapasueños para ganarse unas monedas, Miguel solo conserva un simple deseo: tener a sus padres a su lado. Pero ¿cómo puede seguir confiando cuando la verdad es que los sueños no siempre se hacen realidad?

Esta conmovedora historia de esperanza y resiliencia de MarceloVerdad demuestra que vivir en el aquí yel ahora puede ser un viaje tan hermoso como un sueño.

La edición en inglés, The Dream Catcher, también está a la venta.

For fans of Last Stop on Market Street, an uplifting story about a boy who stays true to his biggest dream while finding the magic in every moment.

Some people dream of perfect waves, fancy castles, or piloting a plane. Others dream of someone to laugh and play with all day long. Some just dream of having a meal for the next day.

And little Miguel? As he and Abuelito work in the hot Oaxacan sun, selling cold coconuts and macrame dream catchers to earn a few coins, Miguel has only one simple wish--to have his parents by his side. But how can he keep the faith when the truth is that dreams don't always come to pass?

Marcelo Verdad's poignant tale of hope and resilience shows how living in the here and now can be a journey every bit as beautiful as a dream.

A Spanish edition, El atrapasueños, is also available for purchase.

Review Quotes

Ganador del Premio Pura Belpré para Ilustración Infantil

Praise for The Worst Teddy Ever:

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon winner
Shortlisted for the 2023 Barnes & Noble Children's & YA Book Awards

* "Verdad's debut picture book is an absolute delight." --BCCB, starred review

"The plot is a fun, reassuring twist on several common themes. Great for bedtime or anytime." --Kirkus reviews

"The artwork in this debut picture book has that Todd Parr appeal of familiarity and achievability for toddlers and young children.... the message of teddy bears as nighttime protectors will be comforting to many a tiny reader." --Booklist

"Verdad's illustrations...have a playful feel that recalls Christian Robinson's child-centric style...adorable in their simplicity." --Horn Book

"A warm story for explaining that underlying answers aren't always obvious, and that readers can't know what others are going through. Good for read-alouds and SEL shelves." --School Library Journal

About the Author

Marcelo Verdad es un autor e ilustrador mexicano, creador de El peor Teddy del mundo, que recibió un Blue Ribbon del Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. Se graduó del Art Center College of Design de Pasadena y ahora dedica su tiempo a sus alumnos en una academia de arte de Los Ángeles. Marcelo sueña con extraterrestres, naves espaciales, olas perfectas y playas oaxaqueñas. Le gusta tomar leche con chocolate y vivir en el presente, y espera algún día llegara ser como Miguelito. Te invita a visitarlo enmarceloverdad.com o en Instagram @marceloverdad.

Marcelo Verdad is an author and illustrator from México and the creator of The Worst Teddy Ever, which received a Blue Ribbon from The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. He graduated from ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena and now dedicates his time to his students at an art academy in Los Angeles. Marcelo dreams of aliens, spaceships, perfect waves, and Oaxacan beaches. He enjoys chocolate milk and living in the present, and he hopes to grow up one day to be just like Miguelito. He invites you to visit him at marceloverdad.com or on Instagram @marceloverdad.