It was new to us, but our house was almost 100 years old when we moved in some years ago. The previous owner left us hard-wired rotary phones. (They still work, by the way.)

My son had no clue how use these weighty antiques; they were from another era entirely. He, like all children, is growing up in a different time in which technology is ubiquitous.

Kids today are technologically savvy, but I wonder if they’re connected to the power of the imagination? Do they really understand that people — and their creativity — are responsible for the wonders of technology?

Books can ignite the imagination and raise questions while entertaining young children. Like Duck, in his role of negotiator as Farmer Brown’s cows make typewritten demands in Click, Clack, Moo (Simon & Schuster), books can show the world before word processing and computers.

I remember using both rotary phones and typewriters. I wonder what my son’s children will think of the technology he remembers?

My hope is that books — regardless of how they’re shared — will still be prized.

About the Author

Maria Salvadore is Reading Rockets’ consultant for children’s literature and literacy. Maria curates our themed booklists and writes the blog, Page by Page, which explores the best ways to use kids’ books both inside and outside of the classroom. She leads parent workshops for Ready To Learn (RTL) at WETA Public Broadcasting in Washington, D.C. She has also taught children’s literature at the University of Maryland, reviewed books for School Library Journal, and has served on various book award committees, including the Boston Globe/Horn Book Awards, Golden Kite, and the Caldecott Committee.

Publication Date
August 30, 2007
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