Everyone is born with imagination, but to keep the imagination active and growing requires nurturing which, of course, begins with the parent.

There are many ways to help encourage a child's imagination, and the two most important avenues of nurturing the imagination are play and reading.

Mark Twain once said, "Now, isn't imagination a precious thing? It peoples the earth with all manner of wonders, strange beasts and birds, angels, cherubim and seraphim. And it has to be exercised.

"No child should be permitted to grow up without exercise for imagination. It enriches life for him. It makes things wonderful and beautiful."

A life without imagination is dull and listless. You have the power to change that.

Today's reviewed books offer energetic exercises for the child's imagination.

Don't wait another moment. Visit your local library and bookstore, load up on great books, and fire your child's imagination today and every day.

The following book is available at many public libraries.<B>"The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane"</B> by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline, Candlewick, 198 pages; read aloud: age 5 to 6 and older; read yourself: age 8 to 9 and older.Edward Tulane was an extraordinary china rabbit who was loved by a little girl.She fussed over him so much that Edward began to think of himself almost as highly as the girl did. But when Edward was lost at the bottom of the ocean, he felt his first true emotion - fear.Caught in a net by an old fisherman, Edward was presented to the fisherman's wife and she was delighted beyond measure.Edward grew very fond of the old couple and was happy with them for a very long time until their cruel daughter came for a visit, stole Edward, and tossed him in the trash dump.And so, Edward's story of being loved and then lost, then found again by someone new and loved once more continued.By the time Edward found himself in a doll shop, he had loved many times, but he had lost all of those people and his heart had hardened.A wise old doll sat on the shelf next to Edward, and he confided in her that he was done with loving; it was too painful.The old doll admonished him."If you have no intention of loving or being loved, then the whole journey is pointless," she said.Then she gently told Edward something that gave him hope. "Someone will come for you. But first you must open your heart."Superbly written and illustrated, "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" is a must-read.

<B>Library:</B> North Trails Public Library, 1553 West Sunbury Road, West Sunbury<B>Library Director:</B> Kathy D. Kline<B>Choices this week:</B> "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" by Bill Martin, Jr.; "Who Said Moo?" by Harriet Ziefert; and "The Kite Fighters" by Linda Sue ParkBooks to BuyThe following books are available at favorite bookstores.<B>"The Tale of Two Mice"</B> written and illustrated by Ruth Brown, Candlewick, 2008, 28 pages, $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 3 and older; read yourself: age 7 to 8."Once upon a time there was a big old house. It had miles of corridors and hundreds of rooms. In one of those rooms, hidden safely behind the baseboard, lived two mice — little Billy and his big brother, Bo."One day the brothers had nothing left to eat or drink, and Bo said they needed to explore the house and get some supplies. Billy was frightened of the thought, but Bo dismissed him, saying there wasn't anything to be afraid of. But while Bo was focused on finding food and wood for their fireplace, Billy saw trouble brewing — a big cat that was watching their every move!With numerous flaps to lift and a big pop-up of the cat as it springs out to capture Bo, children will love this adventurous tale of two brave mice who accomplish their mission — by the skin of their teeth!<B>"Cat"</B> by Matthew Van Fleet, photographs by Brian Stanton, Simon & Schuster, 2009, 21 pages, $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 2 and older; read yourself: age 7 to 8.Toddlers will love this multi-concept book that is loaded with interactive learning and fun. Action words, opposites, textures and more combine with sturdy pull tabs and flaps to engage young readers as they watch 22 breeds of cats in all of their moods and mischievous behaviors.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached via e-mail: kendal@sunlink.net.

“Cat” by Matthew Van Fleet, photographs by Brian Stanton, Simon & Schuster, 2009, 21 pages, $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 2 and older; read yourself: age 7 to 8.