Books with imagination and intellect
Fostering a child's imagination and intellect has always been important, but given the current state of things, it's probably more important now than ever.
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. When we fail to use our intellect and imagination, we become victims to those who will use us as pawns.
Today's reviewed books are charged with imagination while also offering interesting lessons in life. Help foster a 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.
Books to BorrowThe following book is available at many public libraries.
“Max Disaster #3: Alien Eraser Reveals the Secrets of Evolution” written and illustrated by Marissa Moss, Candlewick, 54 pages; read aloud: age 8 to 12; read yourself: age 8 to 9 and older.Max's parents are scientists, and Max plans on being a scientist, too. Unfortunately, his latest experiment was a dud. Max had found an ancient Egyptian recipe for a love potion, one he hoped would work for his mom and dad who are separated. Not only didn't the potion work, but Max's mom had just had a date with a man who wasn't his father, and now she was acting weird, like she had become a teenager again.As Max works out this mixed-up situation of his parents and each of them dating other people, and the crazy stuff in school and life in general, Max continues to write his comics about Alien Eraser. As he does, Max begins to see things change and evolve, and maybe that's not such a bad thing.At once hilarious and heartfelt, this third installment the “Max Disaster” series is first-rate.
<B>Library:</B> Saxonburg Area Library, 240 W. Main St., Saxonburg<B>Library Director: </B>Erin Wincek<B>Choices this week: “Jam and Jelly by Holly and Nellie”</B> by Gloria Whelan; <B>“Pale Male — Citizen Hawk of New York City”</B> by Janet Schulman; <B>“I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade”</B> by Diane Lee Wilson<B>Books to Buy</B>The following books are available at favorite bookstores.<B>“The Watcher: Jane Goodall's Life with the Chimps” </B>written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter, Schwartz & Wade, 2011, 44 pages, $17.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 4 and older; read yourself: age 7 to 8.Ever since Jane Goodall was a little girl, she was curious about everything, especially the world of animals. She dreamed of someday going to Africa, and when she was old enough, that's exactly what she did.Arriving in Africa, Jane met Louis Leakey who explained he was looking for someone to watch and study chimpanzees. Jane took the job immediately, set off for the remote area where the chimps lived, and set up camp. Jane never felt more at home, and although she could hear the chimps, they remained hidden from her view. But Jane's patience eventually paid off. At long last, the chimpanzees grew accustomed to Jane and began to trust her, allowing Jane the opportunity to record her careful, intelligent observations in endless notebooks.As time passed, Jane became aware that her beloved chimpanzees were in danger of becoming extinct at the hands of poachers, and she set off on a global mission to do whatever she could to help them survive.An extraordinary picture book biography of Jane Goodall, this exciting work by veteran children's author/illustrator Jeanette Winter is certain to educate and ignite the imagination of children.<B>“Why Do I Have to Make My Bed? Or, a History of Messy Rooms”</B> by Wade Bradford, illustrated by Johanna van der Sterre, Tricycle Press, 2011, 30 pages, $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 4 and older; read yourself: age 7 to 8.A disgruntled young boy asks his mother, “Why do I have to make my bed?” Clever Mom spins a tale that takes her son back through time, citing one ancestor after another who asked the same question. From the boy's grandfather back through the Middle Ages, the Roman Empire and Prehistoric times, kids have always grumbled about chores. Ironically, mothers throughout time have always had an answer…Hilarious and educational, kids will be laughing while learning a bit about history (and who is charge).Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached at www.greatestbooksforkids.com.
