Why we do what we do...

Seems like a lifetime ago that I was employed as an elementary school teacher. My favorite things to teach were reading and arts and crafts projects. Those were my favorite things to learn in school also!

I had the privilege (sometimes a challenge 😊) of teaching my two older girls in 3rd and 4th grade. Even now, they tell me how much they enjoyed some of the crafty projects we did back then. All four of my girls enjoy reading and are good readers. I have always told my students (and anyone else who would listen), “If you can read, you can learn anything.” Even if you don’t read for pleasure, you can read and learn how to do anything.

I also believe that imagination and creativity are an important part of being able to learn and think critically. I want kids to learn and experience different creative skills to be able to express what is in their imagination. I still remember finger painting in Kindergarten. I remember the smell and feel of the paint. I remember the sound of the crinkle of the paper after my project dried. It is an experience that has stayed with me for almost 50 years!

With the events of 2020, crafts shows were canceled. We had been toying with the idea of a kid’s craft subscription box of some sort. During a brainstorming session, the thought of including books popped up. That evolved into a different book each month setting the theme for the boxes. Children’s books and craft projects – two of my favorite things in one box! The Fantastical Box of Fiction is a way for us to help foster a love of reading and creativity with kids everywhere.

- Beverly