“The Imagination Key is beautifully written and illustrated. Together, the words and images remind us how our imagination can transport us to new places, allow us to experience grand adventures, and help us see challenges and opportunities in exciting new ways. My kids love reading it at bedtime and "imaginating" (their favorite word) all the wild adventures they will have in their dreams.” —Barbara Miller Gather, Ph.D. Professor of Communications, Elon University “The Imagination Key is such a sweet and beautifully illustrated story! As a life-long Preschool director, I have had similar conversations with children about their imagination. This book definitely has a place in every preschool library.” —Jeannine Pignotti, Director, Oakdale Preschool, Los Angeles CA “What a book for our times! To ignite and engage every child's sparkling imagination is at the core of a happy heart, joyful mind and creative learning. As a career educator, it is my belief that this is learning’s sweet spot for exploration and optimism. This is our critical KEY.” —Rebecca Peery, M.A., Elementary Educator and Administrator Sarah Whalen is the award winning Executive Producer of over 1,000 hours of documentary television including Emmy winning Deadliest Catch, Bering Sea Gold, Jay Leno’s Garage, and Netflix’s The Confession Tapes among others. Prior to her career in television, Sarah adapted and directed literature for the stage including classics from Ernest Hemingway and John Cheever as well as numerous contemporary authors. Sarah also served as an acting coach and behind-the-scenes documentarian for children’s feature films including Like Mike and When Zachary Beaver Came to Town. Sarah has a master’s degree in Performance and Media studies from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After residing in Los Angeles for the past 20 years, Sarah now lives happily in Wilmington, NC with her husband, Mark. and two amazing children, Juliet and Bryce. The Imagination Key is Sarah’s first children’s book... but certainly not the last! Elena Christofides is the author and illustrator of the recently published children’s book It’s Cool to be Kind. She is an artist, designer, animal activist and an art and yoga teacher. Elena studied textiles and fashion in the UK and designed women’s and children’s wear. She also had numerous jewellery and art exhibitions. Her love for animals led her to rehoming hundreds of unwanted dogs. Elena currently teaches yoga and illustrates children’s books. She lives in Cyprus with her husband Nick, her two children Nicole and Leo and her rescue animals. You can see more of her artwork on her Facebook page “joyfuleverafter by Elena Christofides.”
Sarah Whalen -
ILLUSTRATED BY
Elena Christofides
Sarah Whalen ILLUSTRATED BY
Elena Christofides
The Imagination Key by Sarah Whalen illustrated by Elena Christofides copyright ©2021 Sarah Whalen All rights reserved. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents, except where noted otherwise, are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any other resemblance to actual people, places or events is entirely coincidental. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any other form or for any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage system, without written permission from Headline Books. To order additional copies of this book, or for book publishing information, or to contact the author: Headline Kids P. O. Box 52 Terra Alta, WV 26764 Email: mybook@headlinebooks.com www.headlinebooks.com Lucas Kelly—Design/Layout Published by Headline Books Headline Kids is an imprint of Headline Books ISBN-13: 9781951556563 Library of Congress Control Number: 2021937547 PR I N T E D I N T H E U N I T E D STAT E S OF A M E R IC A
This book is dedicated to the biggest joys of my life, my children, Juliet and Bryce. May the key to your imaginations remain forever unlocked!
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What is Your Imagination? And where oh where does it live?
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Is it in your tiny fingers? Or maybe in your toes?
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Is it in your little round belly? Or simply right under your nose?
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Your imagination is something very special. But it’s something you can’t quite see. 8
It lives inside your heart and head. And it’s much bigger than you and me.
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Your Imagination is like a dream. A dream that’s all your own.
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Anything is possible. Come on, let’s have some fun!
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Now close your eyes and imagine a place.
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A place you’d love to go. 13
Do you see a magical forest? 14
Or a tower that touches the sky?
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It’s all up to you. No limits apply! All you need to have is the key.
So close your eyes one more time, and let your imagination run free.
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You’ve imagined your very own place . Please tell me what it is.
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What oh what a special place! And now for who you see! 19
Is it a porcupine queen? Or a seven-headed fairy?
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or maybe, just maybe a talking purple shark with a great big heart.
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It’s all up to you. No limits apply! All you need to have is the key.
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So close your eyes one more time. And let your imagination run free.
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You’ve imagined a magical place, and invented who lives there. And now you’re probably wondering, what oh what to do there! (You guessed it, dear one, it’s all up to you!)
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Skateboard down a waterfall?
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A picnic on the moon?
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Your imagination is a gift It’s just not one that you can see.
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But remember you will always have it. And you already hold the key!
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The key is in your head and heart. That’s where it will always stay!
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Now close your eyes, sweet dreams my love. For tomorrow’s a brand new day.
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Now it’s time to unlock your imagination!
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“The Imagination Key is beautifully written and illustrated. Together, the words and images remind us how our imagination can transport us to new places, allow us to experience grand adventures, and help us see challenges and opportunities in exciting new ways. My kids love reading it at bedtime and "imaginating" (their favorite word) all the wild adventures they will have in their dreams.” —Barbara Miller Gather, Ph.D. Professor of Communications, Elon University “The Imagination Key is such a sweet and beautifully illustrated story! As a life-long Preschool director, I have had similar conversations with children about their imagination. This book definitely has a place in every preschool library.” —Jeannine Pignotti, Director, Oakdale Preschool, Los Angeles CA “What a book for our times! To ignite and engage every child's sparkling imagination is at the core of a happy heart, joyful mind and creative learning. As a career educator, it is my belief that this is learning’s sweet spot for exploration and optimism. This is our critical KEY.” —Rebecca Peery, M.A., Elementary Educator and Administrator Sarah Whalen is the award winning Executive Producer of over 1,000 hours of documentary television including Emmy winning Deadliest Catch, Bering Sea Gold, Jay Leno’s Garage, and Netflix’s The Confession Tapes among others. Prior to her career in television, Sarah adapted and directed literature for the stage including classics from Ernest Hemingway and John Cheever as well as numerous contemporary authors. Sarah also served as an acting coach and behind-the-scenes documentarian for children’s feature films including Like Mike and When Zachary Beaver Came to Town. Sarah has a master’s degree in Performance and Media studies from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After residing in Los Angeles for the past 20 years, Sarah now lives happily in Wilmington, NC with her husband, Mark. and two amazing children, Juliet and Bryce. The Imagination Key is Sarah’s first children’s book... but certainly not the last! Elena Christofides is the author and illustrator of the recently published children’s book It’s Cool to be Kind. She is an artist, designer, animal activist and an art and yoga teacher. Elena studied textiles and fashion in the UK and designed women’s and children’s wear. She also had numerous jewellery and art exhibitions. Her love for animals led her to rehoming hundreds of unwanted dogs. Elena currently teaches yoga and illustrates children’s books. She lives in Cyprus with her husband Nick, her two children Nicole and Leo and her rescue animals. You can see more of her artwork on her Facebook page “joyfuleverafter by Elena Christofides.”
Sarah Whalen -
ILLUSTRATED BY
Elena Christofides