GENRE: This is a great example of a modern fantasy book, because the story is very believable and relevant to readers' lives, except that there are mice talking and interacting with one another, in very human ways. The author creates a great story line, which many students can relate to; what to be and why? Matthew follows his dream and his heart and because of it, he becomes a succesful artist. Lionni uses mice to provide readers with a positive message about life and love, as well.

CHARACTER: Matthew is a great example of a dynamic character. He is at the center of the plot and without him, the story would be incomplete. He also goes through a change by the end of the book. He starts out not knowing what he wants to do with his life and after discovering a passion for art, he becomes a wonderful painter. He listens to his heart, instead of what his family tells him and ends up becoming very happy.

ART/MEDIA: collage

This is a great book about teaching students to dream. It is about a poor mouse who decides he wants to become a painter. With hard work he is able to accomplish this dream and become a famous painter. This book can teach students that they can be anything they want to be they just have to work hard. The book has great illustrations and would be best suited for first through third graders. ( )

Matthew is a poor mouse, that lives in a corner of an attic. His parents want him to grow up to be a doctor so one day he can take care of them. However, Matthew isn't sure what he wants. Then one day, in an art museum, he meets Nicoletta and has a dream of vivid colors and shapes. He awakes to realize he was meant to be an artist; and he becomes just that.

"Matthew's Dream" is about a little mouse who dreams of getting out of his home and exploring the world. One day, he went to the museum with his class. He loved the huge paintings he looked at. This experiment helped him decide that he wanted to be an painter when he grows up. This book is a great book for a first day read aloud in a kindergarten classroom.

Type: Picture Book (easy)
Genre: Fantasy
Illustration: painted
This is about a mouse who is asked quite frequently by his parents what he wants to be when he grows up, his answer is always the same "I don't know". One day on a feild trip to the art museum he meets a female mouse- later that night he has a dream that the two of them are walking hand in hand among all the art. Matthew knew from then on what he wanted to be an artist.