David Kamish

Unfortunately, I didn't discover this book until about last year, so I never got to experience it as a child. However, at the children's museum, I've been pushing this book at random kids, making sure it's displayed in prominent places, offering to read it to them, etc. I think some of them really love it, but some of the older kids have been slightly indifferent. I still absolutely adore it. The story has the coolest illustrations ever. From what I've read, and I could be wrong, but I've show more heard that in this father-son duo, the child did the illustrations, but some of the more complicated backgrounds (e.g. one that looks like Van Gogh's Starry Night) were done by the father. They are astoundingly complex images, and grab the attention of both children and adults alike. The other thing is the subject matter itself, vanquishing nightmares. But it's done so atypically, telling the child that they can go out there and, well, basically imagine their nightmares away. You've got to love it, and I do personally know many children on whom this strategy would work, without a doubt. Just a fantastic read.

Rating: 5/5 show less

Diggy Dan, a room cleaning adventure by Daniel Kamish
Audio book about Dan who takes on different characters as he cleans out the mess in his room.
Love the different roles he takes on with the items he founds along the way.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Diggy Dan is a unique book. In this story you search for items in Dan Room. This book is very cool because it was written and illustrated by a 8 year old boy and his dad.

"Dan has dreamed up a nightmare that takes on a life of its own, leaping right off his sketch pad and into his room. Thus begins a fantastic Technicolor/tm/ escapade where Dan must use his wits (and his Magic Pencil) to make his nightmares disappear. " (copied & pasted from amazon)