Priscilla and the Sandman: a story about the importance of reading to children before bedtime and the way storytelling nurtures imagination

Anders Roseberg, Priscilla and the Sandman. Illustrated by Danilo Parajes, Anders Roseberg

Published 2016, 32p

 

As most parents who change priorities the moment they have a child in their lives, Anders Roseberg was fascinated with his daughter, Priscilla. He invented songs, games and eventually this book.  Everything came naturally, after attentive observation of Priscilla’s needs and interests.

Parents tell stories to children to open their minds and their hearts, so the story before bedtime is not an insignificant routine but a tradition that brings bonding, positive energy and a powerful impulse to imagination.

So, when dressed in her light blue nightie and carrying her soft bunny, Priscilla claims she is not tired, her mother introduces Sandman, a sleek, elegant cat that brings magic in the room. Sandman makes a smooth and fascinating transition from the agitation of the day to a calm night sleep by opening for Priscilla the door to dreamland.

“Mr Sandman, excuse me please, tell me where are we?”

“Well, we are in the land of sweets where everything is free. Houses made of gingerbread and peanut butter trees. To go inside that chocolate door, use this lemon lolli key.”

The land of sweets is not an invitation to an unhealthy food consuming behaviour but a presentation of how children’s imagination works, a representation of their creative and prolific mind .

There are candy canes with chocolate lanes and mountains of ice cream. Marshmallow clouds float way up high in skies of blueberry.

And as an accomplishment for her imagination and curiosity, Priscilla becomes the queen of the sweets land, being entertained by animal-shaped biscuits that bring joy and happiness in her life, feelings that will persist the next morning when the girl wakes up amazed by her sweet dream.