How Books Unlock Imagination, Empathy, and Emotional Growth

Guest post by children’s literature author, Terri Lilga.

I’ve been a storyteller for as long as I can remember—writing has always been a joy, and even as a child, I loved creating poems, stories, and rhymes.

My storytelling though, was not just limited to writing.  My earliest friend Nancy and I would make up short skits and plays to stage in her garage.  Later, my friend Kathi and I would role play a favorite show we watched on TV.  As a ballet dancer, I expressed stories through performative dance.  

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Then, when it was time to hang up my ballet slippers and leave my budding acting career behind, I decided to become an elementary school teacher and was hired to teach second grade (interestingly in the same school district I graduated from) and I was thrilled. 

A Nurturing Teacher

I entered the teaching profession dedicated to creating an inviting, energetic, positive, and nurturing atmosphere in our classroom. I imagined a busy interactive arena where a variety of questions were asked, and answers were explored.  A safe space where mistakes could be made (one of the most undervalued tools for building resilience and creative problem-solving skills) and collaboration was embraced.  

Ultimately, my goal was to build a ‘classmosphere’ which would capture the imaginations of all of my students – though not realizing at the time the dichotomy of that phrase.  When you capture a child’s imagination, the most practical way to fuel it is by setting it to wings and letting it fly free.

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Stories to Inspire

Children’s literature is uniquely suited to empowering and growing children’s imaginations.  The colorful, detailed illustrations and playful language found in picture books ignite their imaginations.  As a story is told and unfolds, children meet lively and diverse characters in various settings who face an assortment and often unusual array of odd situations – which broadens kids’ perspectives. The natural curiosity children embody makes them eager to predict what will happen next, how a situation might be handled, or how a story will end.  

But children’s stories are also designed with opportunities to take interaction to a more active, personal, and dynamic level.  With an almost audible whisper, good books invite kids to “put on their imagination caps” and re-experience the story “beyond the book” in new ways with hands-on activities.

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Parents and teachers might suggest: How can we act out the story or retell it in our own words? Let’s form a circle and try it out!   What would reimagining the story with a different ending look like?  Let’s work in groups (or together) to re-write a new ending & share our ideas!  What questions would you ask the characters in an interview? Let’s role-play that! 

Or, collaborate to create a book-based project!  If dinosaurs are the characters, engage your child in age-appropriate research to find out facts about dinosaurs and “publish” their own book.  Brainstorm materials already in your house to make a “fossil dig” activity that kids can share in their classroom.

My Author’s Purpose

As dramatically playful as my first book is, and whimsically entertaining as my second, I always write with intentional “messages” which invite “talking points” leading to conversational interaction. 

For example, the overarching messages in my first book, Santa’s Simon, are kindness, courage, and compassionate leadership.  In my second book, There’s A Hubbard in My Cupboard, they are imagination, creative problem solving, and resilience. 

These “talking points” are again, designed to re-engage kids in the story “beyond the book”. The goal is to inspire meaningful conversations that may apply to children’s real-life challenges, dilemmas, and situations, with some possible ways these can be successfully navigated. Characters can be excellent role-models.

Additionally, whether the characters in a story are kids themselves or personified animals, plants, or objects, children may also experience a wide variety of emotions through them.  Exploring a character’s emotions assists children in becoming more aware of their own, developing emotional intelligence (the ability to understand your own emotions and the emotions of others). Emotional intelligence and creative problem solving are deeply connected.

The Lasting Impact of Children’s Literature

Children’s literature provides children with enjoyable learning opportunities that nurtures their cognitive development, emotional intelligence, creativity, and imagination. 

Books impact kids’ literacy development by introducing a wide variety of language structures, building vocabulary and improving writing skills.

Picture books, through their unique blending of prose and visual art, invite children to explore and experience unlimited new adventures.  

But, perhaps, the most lasting impact of children’s literature is the “human” one. Whether books are shared in a classroom or living room, within a community of teacher and classmates, family, or friends, it is a “feel good” event that kids are eager to repeat again and again. 

And, introducing our children to a lifelong love of reading?  Priceless.

About the Author:

Terri Lilga, a native of Western New York, lives in a Buffalo suburb with her husband Pete and their lively mini-golden doodle, Sushi. Following a rewarding career as an elementary school teacher, Terri pursued her passion for writing children’s literature. There’s a Hubbard in my Cupboard is her second children’s book, following the release of Santa’s Simon in 2023. Her stories reflect her love of imagination, learning, and fostering growth in young minds.

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