Albert Einstein told us: "Imagination is more important than knowledge." Yet we continue to cut creative programs out of school curriculums. Writer Barry Lopez has observed: "It is the imagination that gives shape to the universe." Yet we continue to emphasize science over poetry and fiction in academia.
This bias against the imagination lies behind adults warning curious kids: "You're just imagining that. It's not real." When we disparage and discount the imagination, we cut ourselves off from the riches of creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.
All of this sets the stage for our recommendation of Cathy Carroll's independently published book Lukas for children ages 3 - 6. She suggests that parents use this period in the lives of their children to develop their imaginations.
Lukas is a six year old with an active imagination. His mother's list of things he has to do, such as clean his room, take a bath, brush his teeth, and put on his P.J.'s, serve as a spur to his imaginative role-playing. He becomes the host of adventuresome characters such as a castle guard, captain of a ship looking for gold, rock singer, and more.
This children's book makes a good case for the imagination as the faculty that always opens new doors for us and constantly expands our horizons.
