The Dream House

Everyone needs somewhere to dream.

Rex has gone to stay with his godfather, Sparky. Rex doesn't say much but that's OK because Sparky is always on hand with a cup of tea to enjoy on the sofa, set up outside like an outdoor living room. Rex has his sketchbook, and he draws how he feels even if he doesn't talk about it. And in Sparky's garden, hidden under the canopy of the willow tree, is the Dream House: a lovingly created space just for Rex, to dream, to play, to think, to be. A place he's loved all his childhood. But to go inside now Rex must summon his strength for revisiting the ghosts of his past . . .

An evocative sketchbook novella revealing a boy's inner world, accessing his feelings through drawing and reconnecting with the people who love him, told through Laura Dockrill's vivid storytelling. Fully illustrated throughout by Gwen Millward.

About the Author

Laura Dockrill is a performance poet and novelist. She is author of the YA novel Lorali, the Darcy Burdock series (Random House), and My Mum is Growing Down (Faber). In 2020 her first adult title, What Have I Done? discussed her own experience with post-partum psychosis. Laura lives in London with her husband and young son. @LauraDockrill

About the Illustrator

Gwen was brought up in Wales. Originally she had her heart set on becoming a naturalist as she loved studying insects and drawing them. She graduated with a First in illustration from Edinburgh.

Gwen's first picture book was Guess What I Found In Dragon Wood by Tim Knapman. Gwen has illustrated Stories from Bug Garden (Candlewick), Tiger Lily, which she wrote and illustrated, and Flat Cat, written by Hiawyn Oram. She lives in Bristol with her young son.