Books to spark Interests and Dreams?

[moonlight]

I don't even know how to word my post exactly. I am looking to help inspire my children to find their passions. I'm not looking for them to find their careers at this age, but maybe different books to spark an interest in one thing or a bunch of things. A wide variety of books would probably be their best bet to see if anything catches their fancy? 

 

Also, anything inspirational would be cool.

 

Am I making sense?

[Julie Smith]

After reading Darkwing outloud Eldest got into prehistoric times and the boys watched:

 

Walking with monsters

Walking with dinosaurs

Walking with beasts

[wintermom]

Emily of New Moon series, by L.M. Montgomery. Describes her love of writing and journey getting published, especially the difficulties doing this as a young women from a small town in Canada.

 

Listening to Crickets, by Candice F. Ransom

 

Robert Fulton, boy craftsman, Marguerite Henry

 

Carry on, Mr. Bowditch. Jean Lee Latham

 

Non-fiction, and perhaps more appropriate for older teens, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens.

 

 

[Critterfixer]

Not books, but a variety of documentaries have provided us with opportunities to find interests. I'm beginning to be a strong believer in visual input for creative output. Books tend to come after something has stimulated an interest, and then I look for the most illustrated options out there. There is just something about pictures that seems to make the imagination run wild.

[...................]

I don't know, my kids' career idea came from what they already loved to do, and then started doing. My son is a programmer and my daughter loves books more than anything in the world so wants to be a children's librarian (because she also Ioves children. And art)

 

I think just being well read and exposes to many things also helps such as field trips. Field trips to the firehouse, museum, police station and things Ike that have sparked the interest of many of my friends' kids

[lisabees]

Not books, but a variety of documentaries have provided us with opportunities to find interests. I'm beginning to be a strong believer in visual input for creative output. Books tend to come after something has stimulated an interest, and then I look for the most illustrated options out there. There is just something about pictures that seems to make the imagination run wild.

 

This has worked here as well.

 

Documentaries provide not just facts, but stories, history, a human element to a specific subject.  Particular presenters/scientists have inspired my kids more than reading a book.  After they watch a documentary or a lecture, then they move on to the books and just can't get enough.

[moonlight]

Thanks! 

 

I'll have to add more documentaries to our studies. I have a ton of various types of DVDs at home and we just never get around to watching them!