This book has been on my to-read list for quite a while and I have no idea how it got there. Someone must have recommended it or have given it high reviews. It's a very religious little self-help book focused on how to discover, achieve, and overcome obstacles related to dreams and life's purpose.

The story of Ordinary during part one of the book annoys me a little. It's a little too overt how proper names are also descriptions of each thing. At the same time, the author gets the point across. It doesn't bother me that the author quotes from that story and enlarges on the points he makes in the second half of the book. It's easy to comprehend.

The "Dream Giver" is clearly God. We Dreamers are obviously "Ordinary." Other helpful truths are found in this book. I like the questions the author asks to help discover individual dreams. They got me thinking.

The point of the book is very simple. I wasn't looking for complicated, so I appreciate this. I like that it is clear that God can help us with our dreams. I like the emphasis on the importance of dreams as a way to help others. Bigger, better dreams are unselfish.

This book will possibly influence a positive turning point in my creative pursuits. It's helped me find more clarity. I recommend it.

Easily one of the cheesiest, most on-the-nose Christian self-help books I've read for as far as I can remember. But it is not without its merits.
The first half of the book presents a parable that is too excited to subtly hide any of its cards from the get-go. And yet it reminds me of my childhood self writing short stories and immediately elaborating on any symbolism to my non-existent readers. Of course, Wilkinson's audience is far from non-existent. In fact, I'd argue that the unadulerated positivity presented here is to reach a long-forgotten part within many readers. In order to receive the message of The Dream Giver, one needs to dare dream like a child. Wilkinson then takes that child-like dream and bring it on a journey of challenges until it matures. The author assumes that the dream is already worth pursuing, contrary to a skeptical mind like mine, for the sake of encouraging the reader to follow through with his or her own calling.
I don't doubt that Wilkinson's sentiments might rub some readers the wrong way. But I think the world is too depressing to not consider a part of you that might actually bring about change, to bring back some light into it.

Don't waste your money. At $17 for what would only be about one hundred pages if font, line spacing and margins were normal, it's pretty expensive.

Wilkinson is a great communicator. His The Three Chairs and Prayer of Jabez are classics of inspirational literature. The Dream Giver however does not meet those standards. It's half parable (John Bunyan, Wilkinson is not) and half inspirational guide (complete with The Dream Giver "resources").

If you want to read something that'll do you some good, try Rick warren's The Purpose Driven Life.

Best short book I ever read.

Adam and I have read this together a few times over the last 15 years. We always seem to pick it up and re-read it at the exact moment we need it. The first half of this book is my favorite, an allegory about following the dreams that God has given us. The second half is teaching and breaking down the meanings of the allegory. It honestly has greatly impacted me every time I read it. I strongly suggest this one. ❤️

Kind of trite...but should make a great discussion with the kids in class.

This book gave a lot for me to think about and one that can be used in our daily lives when the "Giant" try to keep you on a path of their choosing. using words live Ordinary which we all are familiar with or Big Dreams can we do it without causing to much of a ripple. Once you can let go of your Comfort level you may find that your life was just plain without shaking a few branches.

The biblical Wilkinson gives readers seem to be easy but limited with out going with God as your co-pilot.

It is in my opinion a quick read but one to stop from time to time to see where you are in Ordinary's travel if you were Ordinary.

I became aware of The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson years ago. A local pastor invited members of his congregation to read and study the book together. A friend eagerly participated because she wanted to discover the Big dream God had for her life. Surprisingly, at the time I had no interest in reading the book.

God knows me well, and how I love books. In the past year, I've read several books by Bruce Wilkinson and enjoyed them all and his style of writing. I believed it was time I read The Dream Giver. I asked the Lord to put the book in my path. A short time later, I came across it at a local thrift store. God is so good to me!

I read the Preface and immediately was hooked. In Part 1 of the book, readers are introduced to Ordinary, a Nobody was the Land of Familiar. Ordinary had a big dream, but in order to fulfill it, he had to leave the Land of Familiar and pursue it. Stories from the Bible are incorporated into the chapters as readers follow Ordinary on his journey to reach the Land of Promise, where he discovered more was awaiting him!

Part I caused me to reflect on what the Dream Giver shared with Nobody. Yes; it's true; the Lord has placed dreams in all of us. I don't want to get to the end of my life wondering if I could have done more with the dream the Lord gave me.

Bruce Wilkinson and others followed the dream the Lord gave them with great success.
I enjoyed reading Part II - The Journey To Your Big Dream. The Lord blessed me with wonderful opportunities throughout my life and some dreams have already come to pass. Do I have a Big dream yet not fulfilled? To be honest, I still don’t know.

I decided to read the book for a second time. Again, I finished without a clear vision of what my Big dream is. That’s okay. My life is not at a standstill. The Lord has blessed me with gifts and talents. Using them gives me joy and fulfillment The Lord is my Guide, and the One I trust to direct my steps to where He desires me to be. My husband and I love to serve the Lord together. Perhaps the Lord will give us a Big dream together. That would be wonderful. God will show us in His time and way!

Absolutely loved this book!! Everyone has a dream. Even if you don't know what your dream is currently, seek after it. It's there! I love how this book shows you how to reach your big dream. I also love how it shows how much God plays a huge role in our dreams and that we need to rely on Him for help along the way.

Everyone has a dream, and author Bruce Wilkinson wants to see you achieve yours. The first half of this book is an imaginative fable about a person trying to achieve his dream. This book is like a map to the blossoming forth of long-cherished desires about things you'd like to achieve.

This is the fourth book I've read by Bruce Wilkinson. I always enjoy his writing and speaking on YouTube videos. This time I guess you could say I got both as I purchased the audiobook copy of The Dream Giver, and the author was the reader.

The first half of the book was like a Pilgrim's Progress type fairy tale with a person named Ordinary in the Land of Familiar. We must leave our comfort zones in order to achieve great things. Despite Border Bullies, Ordinary is able to achieve his dream, as we all must, to find our true places in life.

The world will be a richer place if we do those things God places it in our hearts to do. We were created in God's image as creative beings. We were born to create.

The audiobook was only three and a half hours in length and I started and finished it in one afternoon's drive. I liked it enough that I'd like to listen to it again. I think I'd get more out of it each time I listened. It is that kind of book.

This is a powerful book and message intended to shine a light and empower readers to let go of the comfortable “familiars” in their life and move towards achieving their dreams - dreams given to us by our Dream Giver, God.

A great book to give to anyone who’s stuck, graduating college, or needing direction in their life.

I’m gifting my copy to my brother in hopes this helps motivate him to recognize a dream and work towards it.

This book is an easy, short read. You can finish it in a weekend, which I recommend. The message is more powerful with limited interruptions.

I’ve accomplished dreams, but at this moment in my life feel deflated, unmotivated, uninspired. I have work to do to realize a new dream, God’s dream for me. Of course I wished a flame was lit ablaze for me while reading this, but I’m sure a spark has developed and just needs time to simmer and grow.

Closing remarks from the author:
“God has given you a Big Dream. I hope this book has convinced you to chase after that Dream with every fiber of your being… take next steps towards realizing your Dream…Now May you devote yourself to His Dream for you.” - Bruce Wilkinson

Encouraging. The parable was easy to relate to, to apply to my own life as I've walked forward into my own dream. I've seen and experienced the doubts, fears, and bullies, and I've wondered if I should leave the land of familiar, routine, and ordinary. Yet I also believe the dream inside me was planted by God and fertilized by others who love Him. I appreciated the second half of the book, filled with specific questions, answers, tidbits, and hints for the journey. This is a great book for anyone who dares to believe that maybe God wants something different--something bigger--than what they've currently grabbed hold of.