'Magination: Let The Magic Begin — USU Students' Book Is Published

Utah State University students Jack Saunders and Jonathan Ribera describe themselves as being full of energy and imagination, with a passion for children's creativity. The two met while working graveyard shifts as youth counselors.

 

It was there they discovered by combining their artistic skills, they could accomplish a dream — within two months they wrote and illustrated a children's book. Their creative effort resulted in 'Magination, a book that combines the magic and imagination of one child's journey while discovering his shadow.

 

"Incredibly, the story evolved from the moment Jon and I met because we both had a passion for children's books and children's imaginations," said author Jack Saunders. "The story took off from there. Jon drew a picture late one night of a young boy and his shadow, and it sparked my memory of a kid discovering his shadow for the first time."

 

‘Magination is a story about a boy, Sebastian, discovering his shadow through the magic of the moon, which he uses as a gateway into his imagination and a midnight adventure. Sebastian finds he can transform himself into anything, from Superman to a jousting medieval knight. He eventually comes to the conclusion that the best thing he can be is himself.

 

"We both still are kids ourselves, and that's where our imaginations took off to create this book," said Saunders.

 

Saunders and Ribera believe that sparking creativity when children are young is priceless.

 

"Jack never talks down to children, and his writing never talks down," said illustrator Ribera about his counterpart. "Jack's writing style encourages young children to ask what words mean, which encourages them to incorporate the words into everyday speech."

 

Saunders and Ribera reside in Logan, where they are both students at Utah State University. Ribera is the owner of E.A. Art Gallery and Studio and is working toward a master's degree in art. Saunders is working on his bachelor's degree in journalism and communications.

 

‘Magination took two months to create and two years to be published, the pair said.

 

The duo will hold a book signing at Borders in Logan Nov. 26 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The book is currently available for purchase at the USU Bookstore.