I Dreamed of You

I Dreamed of You (Affirm Press) Sharna Carter & Gabby Grant PB RRP $22.99 ISBN 9781923046429

Reviewed by Karen Hendriks

Sharna Carter’s writing is a heartfelt celebration of magical moments that define childhood. Gabby Grant studied illustration at the University of Westminster and loves drawing children, grumpy cats and crocodiles.

This book is a joyful celebration of the baby you dream of. It beautifully captures the unconditional love, hopes, and dreams every parent holds for their child, tugging at your heartstrings with every page.

Sharna Carter has beautifully captured the essence of this book with the title I Dreamed of You. The opening sentence connects deeply with readers, touching the hearts of every parent who has ever hoped and dreamed for a baby. A dream is something you wish for—a hope that one day comes true. The repeated refrains, I wished, I dreamed, at the beginning of sentences create a gentle, poetic rhythm and a consistent voice that links back to that emotional opening line: "I dreamed of your sweet giggles as you’d skip and hold my hand." I especially love how, once those dreams and wishes come true and the baby arrives, Carter’s words perfectly capture all the emotions of new parenthood.
"You’re more than I hoped for. You’re the perfect little you."

The text carries a beautiful lightness and pacing that allows the story to shine. The ending is sweet, sincere, and ties everything together with warmth. I also appreciate how the book highlights different strengths and qualities a parent might hope for in their child—it’s thoughtful, inclusive, and inspiring.

Gabby Grant’s heartfelt and detailed illustrations are a perfect match for the text. She brings warmth and charm through her soft, whimsical style and gentle colour palette. The cover evokes all the emotions of welcoming a new baby, featuring a mother and child nestled against a pastel background. The endpapers—soft sand with tiny baby footprints near the ocean’s edge and a delicate seashell—beautifully capture the beginning of a little human’s journey.

On the title page, the same parent and child are sweetly blowing bubbles together, continuing the tender tone. I especially love how, at the beginning, Grant includes different generations and family members, each filled with their own hopes and dreams for the new baby. She uses close perspectives and vignettes to enhance the mood and tone of the story. Her simple yet expressive style highlights warm, emotive faces full of love, anticipation, and dreams. Throughout the book, the joy and innocence of childhood shine through, making the illustrations feel both personal and universal.

I Dreamed of You is a heartfelt picture book that makes a perfect gift for new parents, especially those who have been waiting sometime for their little one. With its timeless story and touching visual narrative, it follows baby into early childhood, tugging at the heartstrings along the way. Suitable for children ages 0–5, this book would also make a wonderful addition to any preschool bookshelf.