Yoko Tanaka

A dandelion is transformed into a 'real' lion in this dreamlike wordless picture-book from the marvelously talented artist Yoko Tanaka, setting off on a fantastical voyage around the world. Riding a rushing train, sailing on a tall-masted ship, encountering a cityscape of skyscrapers - the Dandelion has many extraordinary adventures, until finally he finds his way back to his home field, and the the life of an ordinary dandelion. But is it so ordinary...?

Although I have encountered the artwork of Yoko Tanaka before, in the illustrations for Kate Dicamillo's middle-grade novel, The Magician's Elephant, as well as in Laura Godwin's picture-book, One Moon, Two Cats, this was my first book where both storytelling and artwork were her own. I don't say 'writing' of course, because Dandelion's Dream is a wordless picture-book. Fortunately, Tanaka's artwork is more than enough to carry the story here, and the Dandelion's voyage is beautifully captured. I loved the sepia tones throughout, the play of light and dark, and the way in which the Dandelion provided the one colorful element. Recommended to picture-book readers who appreciate beautiful artwork and/or wordless narratives.… (meer)