Imaginative books help children retain sense of wonder
There's nothing quite as wonderful as a child. A child is filled with vigor, enthusiasm, imagination, a zest for life and an eagerness to learn about the world and their place in it. These qualities are what make children so enjoyable to be around; they view life through an untainted lens.
Feeding a child's imagination on a daily basis can help the child retain their sense of wonder, imagination and positive attitude throughout life. This sort of “daily” exercise comes from many sources, including free play and reading imaginative books together. Such is the case with the books reviewed below.
We all have the ability to keep the child within us, regardless of our age. Despite the knocks that life may dole out from time to time, being enthusiastic and imaginative about today and tomorrow is a life-sustaining skill, and teaching that to children from an early age onward is a real gift.
The following book is available at many public libraries.<B>“Diary of a Worm”</B> by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Harry Bliss, HarperCollins, 36 pages; read aloud: age 6 to 7 and older; read yourself: age 7 to 8 and older.Children and earthworms have more in common than most people might think. Earthworms go to school and the teacher gets mad if something happens to their homework (such as eating it). According to earthworm moms, nightmares can be caused by eating too much garbage before bed. And yes, worms even make macaroni necklaces in art class (although they eat theirs for dinner).If you've ever wondered what it would be like to be an earthworm, wonder no more. “Diary of a Worm” spells it out, folks, and this hilarious tale will have children cracking up on every page.
<B>Library: </B>Saxonburg Area Library, 240 W. Main St., Saxonburg<B>Library Director: </B>Erin Wincek<B>Choices this week: “Trouble with Trolls” </B>by Jan Brett; <B>“Bad Day at Riverbend”</B> by Chris Van Allsburg; <B>“The Time Warp Trio” </B>series by Jon Scieszka
The following books are available from favorite bookstores.<B>“King Jack and the Dragon”</B> by Peter Bently, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, Dial, 2011, 32 pages, $17.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 2Z\x and older; read yourself: age 7.“Jack, Zack, and Casper were making a den — a mighty great fort for King Jack and his men.” With a cardboard box, an old sheet and other common items, the boys transform their den into a grand castle. Now, their mission is to defend the castle from attack!Fighting dragons and beasts, the three boys spend an exuberant afternoon brimming with imagination and fun. But night is falling, and Sir Zack's dad comes to take him home followed by Casper being taken to bed. When brave King Jack finds himself all alone in his castle, suddenly he doesn't feel so brave anymore…Told in rhyme and boasting delightful illustrations, “King Jack and the Dragon” is a perfect tribute to the wonderful imaginings of children.<B>“The Three Little Aliens and the Big Bad Robot” </B>by Margaret McNamara, illustrated by Mark Fearing, Schwartz & Wade, 2011, 36 pages, $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 4 and older; read yourself: age 7 to 8.Mama alien had three little aliens — Bork, Gork, and Nklxwcyz. Their small house had grown too crowded, and it was time for the three little aliens to find a planet of their own. As Mama bid them goodbye, she advised her little aliens to stick together and to “watch out for the Big Bad Robot” because he wants to eat the little aliens up.The little aliens traveled far and fast through the galaxy. But instead of sticking together, Bork found a home on a red planet, Gork found a home on a planet with giant circling rings and Nklxwcyz wound up on a massive blue planet. Bork and Gork were having so much fun they forgot about the Big Bad Robot. First, the robot smashed Bork's house into a hundred pieces, then he did the same to Gork's. Fortunately, the wise little alien Nklxwcyz was observing the whole catastrophe, signaled to his siblings, and just in the nick of time, the three were reunited in Nklxwcyz's safe home. But the Big Bad Robot was hot on their trail…A hilarious, modern-day twist to “The Three Little Pigs,” children will want to read this selection time and time again.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached at her website: www.greatestbooksforkids.com.<U></U>
