Traditional/Folk Literature

Dream Peddler
Written and Illustrated by: Gail E. Haley

Summary:

There is a man, John Chapman, who peddles books for a living. He only makes pennies, but he is happy because he does what he loves, provides the world with words. His family, however, barely has enough to eat, and his wife has to do extra baking to provide food for the family. One night John has a dream that he should travel to London for news of "great joy." While this dream seems crazy, John follows his dream. While in London, he seems to be a fool, having traveled six days in search of nothing, but he meets a man who tells him of a dream he has been having of a man named John Chapman who has a treasure chest buried in his yard. John Chapman returns home to find the treasure chest buried exactly where the man described, and John Chapman and his family lived comfortably for the rest of their lives, with John Chapman giving back to his city in the form of books and teaching those around him how to read.

Application:

Many students are told they cannot, or they are not good enough. This book, paired with lessons on figures in history who followed their dreams and made great impacts on those around them, can be used to discuss what it means to dream big dreams and not give up on those dreams even when others around you say that you can't. People in John Chapman's life told him to give up his book peddling for a more profitable business, but he would not because he believed in teaching others to read with his whole heart. This can be connected to men and women in history who have done the same, and students can see what it means to believe in and live for something even when it is difficult.