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The Sandman
Ralph Fletcher; illustrations by Richard Cowdrey
$16.95  Order Here

A tiny man named Tor grinds down a dragon's scale and sprinkles magic dust in the eyes of children to help them sleep. But how does he get the scale to make his special sand? He must venture into the lair of a dragon! Ralph Fletcher and Richard Cowdrey team up to tell this fantastical tale of the legendary Sandman.

Read the review in School Library Journal:
"This fabulous story explains the origins of the Sandman. Tor is a tiny fellow who finds a dragon's scale. Taking it home to his workshop, he studies it and then starts to sharpen it. The dust that gathers makes him fall asleep. Once awake, it's a small leap for him to imagine how helpful this dust will be to all who suffer from sleeplessness, especially children. Fletcher's smoothly written story flows in a thoroughly plausible way and is beautifully served by Cowdrey's vibrant acrylic paintings. Especially intriguing are the wonderful details, like Tor's mouse-drawn carriage made out of buttons. The old-fashioned look is refreshingly straightforward, and free of adult-oriented nostalgia. All in all, this is a compelling story with pictures that add drama, charm, and atmosphere."--Lauralynn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL