Horn Book

Influences of Vermeer and Norman Rockwell are evident in the spectacular paintings that illustrate the story of a boy who flies through the night sky and meets the Sandman. Some of the initial spreads bring to mind Sendak's page design for 'In the Night Kitchen' (Harper). Unfortunately, the wordy, pedestrian text serves mainly to hold the illustrations together and explain their sequence.

Kirkus Reviews

Joey wants a glimpse of the Sandman. In bed, waiting for his chance, Joey feels his lids grow heavy; then, suddenly, he is soaring through the heavens in his Redd Rocket wagon. The wagon topples, Joey falls (very much shades of In the Night Kitchen), coming to rest in the nets suspended below a sky schooner, piloted by the Sandman. The old dream weaver—he looks like he could be Jerry Garcia's brother—hauls Joey aboard and gives him a guided tour. When Joey awakens later, he finds his Redd Rocket wagon all decked out in its heavenly regalia. A diverting enough story, told in a wide-eyed style that keeps things moving and interesting. The illustrations are reproduced from limited- edition art prints. But for all the pictures' obvious quality, there's just too much hoopla about this book and its art: lush, sure-handed oils the likes of which are now sported by many a picture book—many of which have a good deal more personality. Each print is boldly signed by Morrissey, which robs them of at least some of their magic, not to mention that it gets a tad grating. A handsome book that, despite its efforts to be wondrous, is just pleasantly decorative. (Fiction/Picture book. All ages) (First printing of 100,000; Book-of-the-Month Club alternate dividend selection; author tour)"

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

The joy of Morrissey's first picture book is all in the eye, and his nostalgic oil paintings are almost sufficiently magical to alchemize the leaden dream journey'' story that accompanies them. From the Gerber-baby appeal of young Joey to the careful dreamscape choreography of motifs from nursery-rhyme cosmography and yesteryear's toys, not a visual detail goes awry in conjuring up a Norman Rockwell-esque innocence. The plot, however, is treacly. As Joey waits in bed for the Sandman, he pictures his Redd Rocket wagon; before he knows it, the Redd Rocket takes off, and soon Joey is caught in the Sandman's nets and hauled aboard the Sandman's delectable balloon ship. The narration runs toward the garrulous, and the tone frequently condescends (Does that look straight?'' the Sandman asks as he hangs a star). The picture-book equivalent of a pinch on the cheek from an unfavorite relative. BOMC dividend; Children's BOMC alternate. All ages. (Oct.)

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3-Young Joey, curious about whether the sandman really exists, takes flight in a dream one night in his familiar red wagon. He is dropped into the sandman's flying ship where he watches the white-bearded wizard catch shooting stars to be ground into sleeping sand. The kindly magician also casts new stars to be hung in the sky whenever a baby is born. When Joey wakes, safe in his own bed, he sees his red wagon still fitted with compass and sail from his night journey. Morrissey's story shares the same general plot as Chris Van Allsburg's Polar Express (Houghton, 1985), and draws on a sentimental association of bedtime stories of the sandman, toy wagons, night stars, and dreams. It lacks sparkle or originality, but the pictures are spectacular. Dramatically highlighted full-page scenes show the Santalike sandman working magic in his workshop and sailing the heavens in his fantastically accoutered ship. The photographic clarity of the artist's style allows intricate details to be faithfully rendered. The illustrations' immediate eye-appeal and the echoes of traditional childhood themes in the story guarantee that the book will please many readers, young and old.-Shirley Wilton, Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ