PEORIA MAGAZINE July 2022

simply going to bed for any reason, he said. “Preparing for sleep and listening to — or reading —bedtime poems, I have always believed, are two of the most soothing and pleasurable things kids can do all the way to adulthood.” With everything else going on in his life, Telander had a slow go with the writing. But it gave him time to research and approach just the right artists to illustrate one poem apiece. With each illustrator, he would have detailed and ongoing conversation, to make sure their visions converged. “I love art,” he says. “I’ve always painted, since grade school. I still paint.” In the end, he crafted 42 poems, matched to 42 artworks. Four countries are represented among 40 artists, along with two vintage works by unknown illustrators. The collected works are ready to head to the printer. “It took almost 30 years, but here we are,” Telander said. Sweet Dreams will be available to the public this summer. He has no idea if he or the artists will make any money – the profit would be split among a great many hands – but he isn’t worried. “I never did this for themoney,” he said. Rather, he is more focused on pushing an idea he long has discussed with the artists. He wants to get a book to every kid touched by Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC),

which provides free meals, lodging and other support to families and guardians of hospitalized children. Telander said a book means more to a child than just reading stories online. Each RMHC book would include a fill-in-the-blank: “This book belongs to _____.” “It’s yours forever,” Telander said. Thanks to underwriters, about 1,000 books are being distributed among the five RMHC sites in the Chicago area. Also, following a donation fromWTVP, 200 copies will be shared with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois at 401 NE Monroe St. in Peoria. “We were very touched that Rick reached out to us about his book, Sweet Dreams , said Abby Koester, development director for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois. “This is a great opportunity to provide another layer of comfort to our families. This book is an opportunity for families to bond through literacy, art and imagination. The poems and illustrations are beautiful and inspiring. We’re honored that he thought of us and our families.” Telander said the effort won’t stop at Peoria and Chicago. “This is just the start,” he said. “I’m hoping for donors who believe in literacy and the comfort you can get from a book.”

Telander hopes to get copies to kids connected to the 350-plus sites in 62 countries – with translations.

‘I STARTED THIS BOOK, UNWITTINGLY, ALMOST THREE DECADES AGO, LYING IN A HOSPITAL…ALL I COULD DO WAS MAKE UP THINGS IN MY HEAD’

Rick Telander

“Something that started so long ago as a fever dream in a hospital bed has become a reality that hopefully will help many kids and families in their times of need,” Telander said. Phil Luciano is a senior writer/ columnist for Peoria Magazine and content contributor to public television station WTVP For Ronald McDonald House Char i t i es , cop i es of “Sweet Dreams; Poems and Paintings for the Child Abed” can be purchased at the printing cost. To help this ef fort, potential underwriters can contact Rick Telander at rf telander@aol .com.

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