The importance of imagination

Humans are born with active imaginations — it's a primal need to figure out how things work. Without imagination, we couldn't survive.

Imagination has other benefits. Through imagination, we can conjure possibilities, both good and bad. Imagination can lead to great discoveries. Imagination can also entertain our minds without the need for money or any external stimuli.

And, imagination is the springboard for compassion and empathy. A person cannot truly be compassionate or empathetic if they lack the ability to imagine what another person is experiencing or feeling.

Toward the pursuit of igniting a child's imagination, today's reviewed books provide just that. You may not have looked at the value of children's books in such a way, but excellent kid's books are important tools that enhance not only the imagination but many other good things along the way.

Books to Borrow

The following book is available at many public libraries.

"Gaspard on Vacation" written and illustrated by Anne Gutman and Georg Hallensleben, Alfred A. Knopf, 30 pages

Read aloud: age 2 — 3 and older

Read yourself: age 7 and older

Gaspard is a young rabbit who loves to travel. Lucky for him, he and his family are vacationing in Venice, Italy. They explore many things, especially museums, but when Gaspard tires of the museums, he spies a tiny red kayak in a canal, hops in and takes off.

Gaspard paddles along small canals and big canals, having lots of fun exploring every nook and cranny. Zooming along as fast as his little arms can paddle, Gaspard rounds a corner and runs right into a big gondola. The gondola tips over, the passengers and gondolier fall into the water and Gaspard, frightened, takes off in his kayak.

When he is too tired to go on, Gaspard hides behind a curtain in front of a church door. He is lost. Will his parents find him? Will he be in trouble?

Charged with imagination and boasting a satisfying ending that assures children of the unconditional love of a parent, this selection is pure delight.

Librarian's Choice

Library: Butte County Library — Biggs Branch, 464A B St., Biggs

Library Director: Derek Wolfgram

Branch Librarian: Cynthia Pustejovsky

Choices this week: "The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins" by Dr. Seuss; "Johnny Lion's Book" by Edith Thacher Hurd; "The Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams

Books to Buy

The following books are available at your favorite bookstores.

"Wanted: The Perfect Pet" written and illustrated by Fiona Roberton, Putnam, 2010, 32 pages, $16.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 5 — 8

Read yourself: age 7 — 8

More than anything in the world, Henry wanted a dog. In Henry's opinion, a dog would be the perfect pet. Thinking it through, Henry decided to advertise for just that. Then he waited, hoping for a response.

There was nameless duck who didn't have one friend in the world. Needless to say, he was very lonely. When the duck saw Henry's advertisement, he decided that if he was a dog, he could finally have a friend. So, the duck disguised himself as a dog, set off on the long journey to Henry's house and knocked on his door.

At first Henry was ecstatic, and though the duck did his best to act like a dog, things weren't going the way either companion expected. Would the duck and Henry be able to be friends forever?

Wonderful in every way, this imaginative, fun story also shares quiet snippets of what it is to accept another for who and what they are.

"Gumption!" by Elise Broach, illustrated by Richard Egielski, Atheneum, 2010, 36 pages, $16.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 4 — 8

Read yourself: age 7 — 8

Uncle Nigel was Peter's favorite uncle, and when he asked Peter to join him on an expedition to Africa, Peter agreed enthusiastically.

Once at Wanabutu Adventure Camp, Uncle Nigel told Peter he would make a real explorer out of him by searching for the rare and wild Zimbobo Mountain Gorilla. It would be a long, hot and dangerous trek, and when Peter had difficulties along the way, Uncle Nigel always said the same thing — "Nonsense, my boy! All it takes is a bit of gumption."

Full of imagination, humor, and peppered with wisdom when Uncle Nigel states, "You might not find what you're after, but it's always worth the trip." After all, what a real explorer needs is simply a bit of gumption!

Kendal A. Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached at kendal@sunlink.net.