by Anne Parrish
First published 1924
A mystical Dream Coach rolls through the night, delivering visions to children in distant lands. The King's Daughter receives seven white dreams that transform her understanding of her royal destiny. Young Goran finds his sleep filled with adventures that change how he sees his humble life. A Little Chinese Emperor discovers three dreams within a bird cage adorned with purple tassels and pearls, each vision revealing secrets of his empire. Finally, "King" Philippe, a boy who rules only in his imagination, experiences a dream that blurs the line between his fantasies and reality. As the Dream Coach travels from palace to cottage, from East to West, it weaves together the sleeping worlds of these four children. Each story reveals how dreams can comfort the lonely, inspire the downtrodden, and teach the proud. The coach itself becomes a bridge between waking disappointments and sleeping possibilities, showing that every child, regardless of station, deserves the magic that comes with closed eyes and open hearts.
Genres: literary-fiction, fantasy, magical-realism
Vibes: lyrical, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: found-family, magical-realism
Setting: East, West
Period: Night
143 pages · Hardcover · Macmillan