Being bilingual is admirable. Speaking nine languages? Wow!

Author Margo Sorenson has that “wow” factor. On her website, the former educator’s 27 books divide into nine distinct categories, far beyond mere fiction or nonfiction.

Margo, what’s the good news about children’s literature right now?

Children’s literature today continues to stretch boundaries of young readers’ imaginations, not only allowing children to experience unique and incredible adventures, but also promoting development of empathy and compassion.  The opportunity for children to transform written words into a vivid inner reality that broadens horizons and enriches their young lives is the true gift of children’s literature—a gift that strictly visual media will never be able to match.

From your perspective, what can make that “good” better?

As recent brain research has pointed out, like it or not, our brains are being rewired because of the digital age (“Is Google Making Us Stupid?” The Atlantic, July/August 2008).  The possibilities for children’s literature to accommodate and utilize this rewiring through inventive plots and characterizations and themes, as well as through book apps and add-ons are going to be vital in ensuring that children’s literature remains at the forefront of stretching children’s imaginations.  Does this mean, “Away with print books!”?  Most certainly not!  But, to keep pace with the digital revolution, children’s writers and publishers should continue to think outside the box and assess how what they’re writing and publishing will fit into this new paradigm.  Children’s literature will always stretch imaginations and it will stretch them in ways we cannot even envision now.  But, because the world of children’s literature is all about imagination, we are all up to the task!

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A National Milken Educator and author of 27 books for young readers, Margo Sorenson scrambles to keep up with her grandchildren’s expanding universes in this new digital age. Her most recent picture book, Aloha for Carol Ann, (Marimba Books/Just Us Books), illustrated by Priscilla Garcia Burris, was published in March 2011. You can read more about Margo’s books and view her other links on her website.