The Magic Pillow by Demi

Once again, Demi mines the rich culture of China to present a tale of a young boy who learns that fame and riches aren't everything. Based on a short story by Shen Jiji from around 700 A.D., the story tells of a poor young boy who is caught in a blizzard while collecting firewood and seeks shelter at a local inn. While there he meets a magician who is staying there who dazzles him with tricks. The magician later loans him a "magic pillow" to sleep on that gives him dreams about a possible future allowing him to make a better decision of what he wants to do with his life. The textured, traditional illustrations leap off the page making this a visual treat as well. The Magic Pillow by Demi. Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2008.