The unwinding and other dreamings by Jackie Morris

What a beautiful book! I was intrigued by the wonderful cover illustration of a sleeping woman nestling on a large, white polar bear and expected to find a fairy tale within. Instead, opening the book the author says in her introduction: “This book is not meant to be read from cover to cover. It is a book for dreamers. Slight of word, rich of image, its purpose is to ease the soul.” And ease the soul it does. It is intended to be a companion that can sit on the bedside table at night or be carried in a picket or bag during the day to be looked at in times of stress.

It is easy to dip into the book, with each of the fourteen lushly illustrated sections, calling to the imagination, and easing the anxieties of a busy world. Morris took me into a land where there were exotic midnight fish that flew into the sky, a fox who loved the Winter Queen, and a gorgeous white bear. The stunning illustrations are unforgettable, just so beautiful it is difficult to describe their effect on the imagination.

This is book that I will treasure and one that I intend to buy as a gift for family members. It is highly recommended for its beauty and impact.

Themes: Imagination, Poetry, Fantasy, Art, Short Stories, Animals.

Pat Pledger