Children's Books to Spark Imagination and Creativity discussed on December 4th

Seventy years after his father left to be a mapmaker for the war in Europe, Emerson Johansson received a package that had been lost in the mail for decades. The parcel contained a most extraordinary gift: an exquisite book Johansson's father lovingly made by hand, detailing an unforgettable adventure they shared together just months before his departure. With maps, drawings, watercolors and photographs, this artifact and family heirloom recounts a mountainous winter landscape alive with the dangers and magic of an alpine blizzard. Destined to become a Christmas classic, The Lost Christmas Gift is a faithful reproduction of the magnificent hand-crafted present Johnasson's father sent him, and a poignant reminder that the best gifts transcend time and distance, renewing our gratitude for the resilience of memory, the bonds of family, and the kindness of strangers. Andrew Beckham is the Visual Arts Department Chair at St. Mary's Academy, Denver, CO.

An enormous black dog and a very tiny little girl star in this offbeat tale about confronting one’s fears. When a huge black dog appears outside the Hope family home, each member of the household sees it and hides. Only Small, the youngest Hope, has the courage to face the black dog, who might not be as frightening as everyone else thinks.

From the creator of the #1 New York Times best-selling and award-winning I Want My Hat Back comes a second wry tale. When a tiny fish shoots into view wearing a round blue topper (which happens to fit him perfectly), trouble could be following close behind. So it’s a good thing that enormous fish won’t wake up. And even if he does, it’s not like he’ll ever know what happened. . . . Visual humor swims to the fore as the best-selling Jon Klassen follows his breakout debut with another deadpan-funny tale.