A book geared to help readers find ways to make their own magical worlds richer

I would rather hear that children are using computers creatively to do
school or design work, than be told they are playing canned games on a
keyboard; an activity almost as bad as parking off in front of TVs for hours.
If only most youngsters would design their own games through free, individual
and imaginative thought; creative works of art; learn to play musical
instruments; dance; write stories, act or make films; build things; learn to
sing beautifully; entertain themselves by sidestepping imaginatively around
sports fields; or even just lie on their backs to dream, relive wonderful times
and appreciate life's opportunities. In short, I wish they would try to immerse
themselves in magic that is theirs, of their own making.

Gary Hirson's book, The Magic that's Ours, advocates just that. The
fun-time activities he recommends, which relate to the story content, are
geared to help the readers find ways to make their own magical worlds richer
through visualisation and wide-ranging thought experience. That is infinitely
preferable to them walking the pre-packaged paths of games (with cheats)
dictated by companies thriving on youngsters being influenced to mimic the
desire to passively watch or finger-button tap some limited adult creation.

The shadow-figure illustrations by Dorothee van den Oesten in this first
novel allow any reader to see him or herself in the story more easily, or
imagine the children to be as they would have them. That, in itself as an
engaging technique. Furthermore, while Hirson's age-appropriate writing is
simple (paragraphs are occasionally like separate, but related, snapshots), the
words are descriptive and invite imaginative vision. So, just as the strange
events narrated invite the characters to explore what is on offer, so the
reader is drawn to consider engaging in interesting, varied activities and
choose their own destinations. The message is the only plain thing in the book,
and it is easy to add one's own embellishments - use our talents to make our
own world a better place, not in material terms, but through the development of
the creative, expressive mind that will make every day different, colourful and
special, and produce a legacy of a full, unique, exciting actions. The book may
be used productively by a class teacher to entertain through reading and to
stimulate imaginative artistry. It would also promote wonderful dreamy thoughts,
if read after a beautiful sunset.