Product Description

A boy seeks and eventually finds his own name and is able to discard an old dream for a new and wonderful one.

Among the many insights that this story introduces to children is the idea that it takes patience and resolve to achieve one's goals in life.

Beautiful watercolor illustrations by Mona Caron embellish this unusual story.

Ages 3 - 8

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1149422 in Books
• Published on: 2000-09
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .34" h x 8.79" w x 11.51" l, .94 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 2-Ostensibly based on a Sufi legend, this story concerns a boy whose parents are instructed not to name him when he is born. A wise man tells them, "This is a very, very important boy-and I am going to give him something marvelous one day, but I will have to give him his name first." After some years, the youngster goes with his friend Anwar to see the wise man, with the hope that he can exchange an unwanted dream for a name. The wise man selects the name Husni out of a magic box and gives it to the boy, who then puts his unwanted dream in another box. Then the two friends each take a turn choosing from a third box, which is full of wonderful dreams. "And after that, forever and ever, Husni had a name-and the two boys-always had wonderful dreams." End of story. The point of this narrative is, at best, elusive. What is so important about the nameless boy? What are readers to make of the boxes of names and dreams? The lively and colorful artwork evokes the Middle Eastern setting, but doesn't help to answer these questions. Perhaps an extensive study of Sufism would enhance readers' understanding, but it is doubtful that this book on its own will make much sense to children or the adults who read it to them.-Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NY

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Ages 4-7. Nameless has grown up, well . . . nameless, owing to a wise man's visit on the day of his birth. He asks his friend Anwar for a name, but Anwar only has one name, and he can't afford to give it away. When the boys visit the wise man, he opens a magic box full of names, and one, "Husni," creeps into the nameless boy's ears. Anwar gets a gift, too: the wise man opens a box full of dreams, which enter both boys' ears giving them sweet dreams. The book is based on a great Islamic mystic's birth story, but the religious significance is set aside in favor of a broader message of peace and happiness. Unfortunately, the story fails to inform children why Husni remained Nameless for so long, and the illustrations lack the energy of Shah's telling. Even so, this is a satisfying bedtime story that will encourage pleasant dreams to drift into little ears. John Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

REVIEWER'S CHOICE, The Children's Bookwatch
"Enjoy ... new bright collections featuring different illustrators ... fine stories!"