From Christmas Trees to Ospreys: Celebrating Imagination in Children's Books

Children's literature serves as a vital bridge for family connection and literacy development. John Barry shares the journey of discovering his late father Robert Barry’s unpublished manuscript, *Mr. Willoughby’s Head Over Heels Christmas*, which continues the legacy of the classic *Mr. Willoughby’s Christmas Tree* by emphasizing themes of community and environmental stewardship. Meanwhile, educator and author Adrienne Palma discusses her wildlife series, including *Oakley the Osprey*, which uses animal perspectives to teach children about natural habitats and migration patterns. Both guests highlight the importance of active engagement, suggesting that parents can "reverse engineer" stories by asking children to imagine character lives beyond the page. This collaborative approach to reading fosters empathy, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning, ensuring that children transition effectively from learning to read to reading to learn.