Hazem Nassar

Naji is fast asleep when a loud explosion wakes him from his dream. He settles back to sleep and is woken again, and again, and again. Naji just wants to sleep and dream so he doesn’t have to think about the ongoing war in his country. He dreams his school has been destroyed, and there is nothing left but rubble. But, when he wakes, he remembers his school and wishes he could get it back. He dreams of eating left over food for days and days. When he wakes, he wishes he could go out to eat again. He dreams of helping his dad with the groceries. When he is woken again, he remembers he needs to buy and carry the groceries all by himself.  As images of war invade Naji’s thoughts and his dreams, he wonders whether he will ever live in peace again.

Diary of my Dreams is an illustrated picture book by Hazem Nassar about a young boy growing up in a country torn apart by war. Naji is desperate to sleep to forget about the war in his country, but loud explosions keep him awake.  Soon, sleep is no longer a peaceful, restful event, it is a constant reminder of the horrors of war. Written from the perspective of Naji, this book sensitively explores the impact of war from a child’s point of view. The story captures Naji’s fears and grief, making it a powerful and poignant read for young readers.  The child-like illustrations and use of handwritten font, complement the story beautifully.

Star rating: 5 Stars 

Summary: A touching and thought provoking read about war, and its impact on young people.