About This Book
Reach for this book when your child seems stuck in a creative rut, or when they feel like their efforts are boring or uninspired. It is the perfect antidote to the 'I'm done' or 'I can't' attitude that often arises during art projects or homework. The book introduces the concept of oomph, a playful term for that extra bit of heart and effort that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. Through interactive paper engineering like pop-ups and lift-the-flaps, Saltzberg demonstrates how a simple seed can become a 3D bouquet or a lonely fish bowl can expand into a vast ocean. It teaches children aged 3 to 7 that creativity is not a fixed talent but a choice to look closer and try a little harder. Parents will appreciate how it reframes perseverance as a joyful, imaginative process rather than a chore.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book is entirely secular and celebratory. It does not deal with heavy themes, focusing instead on the internal emotional state of the creator.
Ideal Reader
A 4 or 5-year-old who loves art but gets easily frustrated when their drawings don't look 'perfect' or 'magical' right away. It is also excellent for a child who enjoys tactile, kinetic learning experiences.
