What if bicycles could fly? What if trees could run? What if your teddy bear could listen to your secrets? For a child, questions like these are not nonsense. They are the building blocks of imagination. They invite curiosity, laughter, and creative thinking. Ciara Newell-Bailey’s children’s picture book, What If?, beautifully captures this sense of wonder, reminding us that imagination is not just play; it’s an essential part of how children learn about the world.
From the first years of life, children make sense of their surroundings by asking questions. Every “what if” moment helps them test ideas, explore possibilities, and understand relationships between things. For example, when a child asks, “What if vegetables could talk?” they are practising empathy, imagining how it might feel to be something or someone else. This kind of imaginative thinking develops emotional understanding and perspective-taking, which are vital to social growth.
Imaginative questioning also sharpens problem-solving skills. When a child wonders what would happen if bicycles had wings, they are beginning to explore cause and effect. Their mind starts building connections, what would make that possible, how would it change their journey to school, and what new challenges might arise? These playful thoughts are actually early exercises in critical thinking.
This book embraces this natural curiosity through its rhythmic and repetitive storytelling. Each page presents a new question that invites children to think beyond what they see. The musical rhythm of the text encourages listening, memory, and pattern recognition, important foundations for literacy. Meanwhile, the book’s colourful illustrations turn abstract ideas into visual prompts that spark further creativity. For instance, seeing a flying bicycle or a dancing bath makes a child more likely to dream up their own imaginative scenarios.
Parents and educators can use books like What If? to nurture both curiosity and confidence. Instead of offering ready-made answers, they can ask follow-up questions like, “What do you think would happen next?” or “How would you feel if that were real?” These conversations show children that their ideas have value. When adults join in the imagination, it builds trust and connection, turning reading time into shared exploration rather than instruction.
In a world full of screens and ready-made entertainment, stories that ask “what if” offer something powerful: the chance for children to create their own worlds. They remind us that imagination is not just an escape from reality but a way of engaging with it more deeply. Every imaginative question opens a door to learning, discovery, and empathy.
So, the next time a child asks, “What if my bed could sing me to sleep?” don’t rush to answer. Instead, ask them to tell you the rest of the story. You might find that their imagination is brighter than you ever expected.
To experience the joy and learning that imagination can bring, explore Ciara Newell-Bailey’s enchanting book What If?, a celebration of curiosity that helps young minds grow, one question at a time.
This book is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1968296352.
