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Reading is a fantastic way to boost imagination as it connects with the right side of the brain, which deals with creativity and feelings. It makes our minds aware of new possibilities and new ideas, which helps us experience and explore the world through others’ lives and thoughts. By using imagination whilst reading, we can also find the special meaning writers convey.
However, reading novels, particularly science-fiction novels, is an especially good way to boost the imagination. So, why is that? Well, science fiction pulls you out of narrative realism and into a world of opportunity full of possibilities. It’s written for the simple purpose of engaging your mind to think about alternative worlds and imagine alternative ways of existing. Reading a good science fiction novel, for example, can transport you to a fantasy world that becomes reality in your mind’s eye.
To help you with exploring how science fiction novels boost imagination, a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, we worked to pull together five books for your students to read which we think are really fun. Let’s explore them…
Boy and Bot
Ame Dyckman & Dan Yaccarino
2 – 5 years
A boy and a robot meet in the woods and become friends. When Bot turns off, Boy think he’s sick and tries to make him well again, but he gets tired and sleeps. Bot worries when he powers on and sees Boy powered off, so he takes him home and tries many remedies such as oil, but nothing recovers Boy. Can the Inventor fix him?
If You Decide to Go to the Moon
Faith McNulty & Steven Kellogg
4 – 8 years
Take a journey to the moon with a boy who must prepare properly, stay in a ship for two and a half days and weigh up the immensity of space – as well as find a way to get home.
Aliens for Breakfast
Stephanie Spinner & Jonathan Etra
6 – 9 years
Have breakfast with Richard. See what happens when Richard opens up his cereal, Alien Crisp, to find an actual alien inside who has come to save the Earth from the evil Dranes, an alien race.
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator
Roald Dahl
8 – 12 years
This book follows on from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and begins right when Willy Wonka and Charlie Bucket burst through the roof of the chocolate factory into their elevator. In it though, by accident, they head into orbit and end up at the Space Hotel and meet the aliens, Vermicious Knids, who are not all they seem!
Zita the Spacegirl
Ben Hatke
8 – 12 years
Zita, an earthling, is transported to a planet far away. She must rescue her friend from an alien whilst dealing with many foes on the way, as well as the looming obliteration of the planet she’s on.