My oldest child has reached an age where he can enjoy a book with chapters and an ongoing plot. A few months ago we read Charlotte's Web, we also read Stuart Little and now we are reading our third book titled My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett.

I love the illustrations but what I especially love is the map included on the first few pages. I have always loved maps. Especially fictional maps. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Phantom Tollbooth, Candyland the boardgame, the reference maps in the scriptures though not fictional are all places where I have enjoyed the power of the map. The power it has to transport you in your mind to another place, and in this place you must orient yourself to new surroundings which can help you understand your protagonist better. Anyway, I printed out a few copies of this map and had the kids color their own maps. Atticus ate it up. So now when we read he refers to his map that is taped on the wall next to his bed. Shermy ripped his. I guess he doesn't find his quite as fascinating but at least he colored it. Crayons fortunately have taken their proper place in his life. For Cinci they are still food. His map is still blank on my pile of papers. In a few years I will read this story again and we'll have a go at the same activity. So for all of you readers out there, this is a fun book to read the little guys. Got any other favorites?