11-year-old Emily Webster’s parents have decided to take a year off from their busy suburban life and move to an old farmhouse in Kansas. Emily is miserable in their new home, plopped down in the middle of nothing but wheat fields, far away from her former city life and friends. There’s no internet and they don’t even have a television or a phone! But one night Emily’s world changes when a star zooms out of the sky and into her room, appearing as a Star Lady. She tells Emily that even though she’s unhappy, a magical world lives inside her — she just doesn’t know how to find it. The Star Lady says she can help and gives Emily a Dream Pillow to use so they can stay in touch through dreams. When Emily decides to take a chance and use the Dream Pillow, her world opens up. Magical characters appear and guide her on an adventure of self-discovery. After Emily discovers a Swan Feather pen, she’s transformed from Emily Webster, a normal girl, into Emily Swan, a super-hero of words. "Emily Swan and The Dream Pillow by Mary L. Peers follows eleven-year-old Emily and her parents, Sam and Heather. When Heather realizes that their busy lives leave little time for fun or imagination, she suggests that the family leave the city and move to a farmhouse in a remote area. She believes this change will help them reconnect and rediscover the magic of life. Initially, Emily is resistant to the idea because she doesn't want to give up her phone or her friends. However, everything changes when a Star Lady flies into Emily's new bedroom and offers her the chance to write her own story. Magical events begin to unfold for the family. Emily becomes best friends with a talking VW Bus radio named Clark, and with the help of a Dream Pillow that provides insights through dreams, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery. She also helps her parents discover their talents and learns a secret about Clark that connects him to her family. Emily Swan and the Dream Pillow is a beautifully written story that takes readers on a whimsical journey. It is infused with magic and features references to famous movies like The Wizard of Oz. The book also includes educational elements, highlighting different words to enhance children's vocabulary. It covers the power of the imagination and the importance of family connections, emphasizing themes of friendship, self-discovery, and creativity. The story encourages readers to embrace adventures and try new things, as these experiences can lead to personal growth and joy in unexpected places. Mary L. Peers uses unpredictability and suspense to keep readers engaged and eager for more. The twist in the story, particularly the connection between Emily and Clark, adds emotional depth and elevates the narative. This book is not just an adventure; it's a testament to our innate ability to connect with others and the world around us. The possibilities of what we can achieve by disconnecting from the distractions in our lives and embracing our imaginations are endless. I truly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone wanting to read an enchanting tale and discover the power of the imagination." - Five Star - Reviewed by Luwi Nyakansaila for Readers' Favorite MAGICAL FAMILY STORY ABOUT STEPPING AWAY FROM THE NOISE AND DISCOVERING YOUR OWN MAGIC "At the start of the book, Emily Webster seems like an 11 year old any reader would recognize, forgetting homework and sometimes a bit too distracted by her phone and friends. But her mum finds a listing for an old farmhouse and the family takes a year off from a busy suburban life to move to an area with no internet, television or phone. What follows opens Emily's eyes to a wonderful world of imagination that allows her to understand more about herself without her previous distractions. Emily Swan and the Dream Pillow also delivers more than just Emily's story, showing how the move allows her parents to also take a step back from their busy jobs and running errands and discover what brings them joy and allows them to create magic. This is an interesting book for encouraging children to step away from their devices. There are some entertaining characters, with the brusque Star Lady and magical talking radio that adds humour to the story. The dream pillow is a unique tool for getting Emily to connect and explore her imagination. I also liked that there was an emphasis, like with the whistle, on Emily to be independent, to try to find her own solutions instead of relying on magical assistance. This is a sweet story about savoring the little things and taking time to dream." - LoveReading4Kids Ambassador - Indie Books We Love five star review "Emily Swan and her Dream Pillow is an introspective middle grade novel that seeks to teach readers the importance of always opening their minds to the possibilty of magic. Young readers will be enchanted by the world opened to Emily by using her Dream PIllow." Worth reading - Reedsy "Emily Swan and the Dream Pillow is a