Foster a child's imagination with books
Fostering a child's imagination and intellect has always been important. An active imagination is intelligence. Our imagination and intellect allow us to see possibilities and solutions, allow us to question rather than simply accept what we are told.
Consider the words of F. Scott Fitzgerald when he wrote: “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function. One should, for example, be able to see that things are hopeless yet be determined to make them otherwise.”
Today's books are charged with imagination. So is the child in your life. Help foster that child's imagination with plenty of good books, plenty of play, and lots of honest interest in your child's imaginings.
Then step back and watch that child soar.
The following book is available at many public libraries.“Crispin: The End of Time” by Avi, Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins, 223 pages; read aloud: age 9 and older; read yourself: 10 and older.Beloved friend, teacher and surrogate parent Bear has died, leaving Crispin and Troth to fend for themselves as best they can, which, given the time of the early Middle Ages, is anything but easy.They are lost in the dangerous countryside of France, with no food or knowledge of how to reach the land where Bear had said they would be free of kings and lords and oppression. Their destination is Iceland, but the few people they meet have ever heard of such a place.Hunger and loneliness push Crispin to join a small band of what seems to be roving minstrels. But he soon learns the truth about who these people really are and the danger they represent — both to him and to others. He must formulate a plan of escape before it's too late.In his usual signature style, Avi has crafted a story that is certain to have readers spellbound. The final book in the Newberry Award-winning trilogy that began with “Crispin: The Cross of Lead,” this third installment is wholly satisfying.
Library: Zelienople Public Library, 227 S. High St., ZelienopleLibrary Director: Jan LawrenceChildren's Services: Staci BurrChoices this week: “The Grannyman” by Judith Bryan Schachner; “Far North” by Will Hobbs; “Hannah's Suitcase” by Karen Levine
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.“Brother Hugo and the Bear” by Katy Beebe, illustrated by S.D. Schindler, Eerdmans, 2014, 34 pages, $17 hardcover; read aloud: age 5 to 9; read yourself: age 8 and 9.Long ago, when printing presses had not been invented, books were written by hand; a laborious task indeed. So when Brother Hugo could not return to the library a very special book containing the letters of St. Augustine (because a bear had eaten it), the Abbot was not pleased.The Abbot explained that Brother Hugo had to make up for what he had lost, and directed Brother Hugo to borrow a copy of that book from another abbey, copy it word for word, and then return the original. The Abbot also cautioned Brother Hugo not to misplace the copy or the original, bear or no bear.Brother Hugo set to his task, and it was quite an undertaking. Many of his fellow monks helped him. All the while, there was a distinct snuffling noise nearby — the bear, who was now hungrier than ever to consume books and the written word. When the book was finished, Brother Hugo set off to deliver the original, but would he be able to outwit the bear that was hot on his tail?Loosely based on a note found in a 12th-century manuscript, this fun story offers subtle messages of friendship, working together, and a little mischief to boot.“The Scarecrows' Wedding” by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler, Arthur Levine/Scholastic, 2014, 32 pages, $18 hardcover; read aloud: age 4 to 8; read yourself: age 7 and 8.Betty O'Barley and Harry O'Hay were scarecrows in love, so they decided to get married. They wanted to have a wedding so special that no one on the farm would ever forget it. They made a simple list of what they needed and all of the farm animals pitched in to make it a perfect day. But when Harry went off in search of pink flowers for the big day, he got a bit sidetracked and Betty began to worry.Enter a new scarecrow — shifty Reginald Rake. Reginald thought he would take Harry's place, but when he tried to impress Betty, things went awry. Would Harry return in time to save Betty and the wedding?
Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached at kendal@sunlink.net.
