Open mind unlocks bridge to wonderland

Your daughter's summer babysitting business is off to a shaky start. She's bored to tears playing tea party and doesn't know how much longer she can chug mini choo-choos around the tracks. Out of sheer exhaustion, she finally surrenders her imagination to the magic of the youngsters' minds. She is delighted to discover that Queen Teddy Bear slips her secrets while sipping tea and that cabooses actually tell hilarious jokes.

The power of imagination is celebrated in the movie Bridge to Terabithia, released on home video June 19. After watching the movie, use our family conversation starters to explore new ways to stretch your imagination. Then make our activity, “Building Bridges,” to bring the big-screen lesson to life!

Based on the popular children's book, Bridge to Terabithia features two misfits who are bullied for different reasons. Jesse Aarons (Josh Hutcherson)—a closet artist—comes from a financially struggling family, and gets attention from his parents only when they want him to do chores. New to the neighborhood is Leslie Burke (AnnaSophia Robb), an eccentric and colorful character who loves to imagine other places and experiences.

When Jesse and Leslie discover they are next-door neighbors they become friends, spending most of their time adventuring through Jesse's farmland. Leslie is thrilled to find a rope swing and log bridge over a small river.

Jesse doesn't want to cross at first, but Leslie persuades him by concocting a story about a kingdom called Terabithia on the other side of the water. As Jesse opens his mind to make-believe, the friends enjoy an imaginary adventure in Terabithia that helps them better deal with the tough realities of life.

When tragedy strikes, Jesse finds himself stuck between going back to his everyday existence, or staying in the colorful—but now painful—world that brought him escape and happiness.

Talk Together

Before you start the conversation, use your imaginations to transform your house into something else. Perhaps you're in Pasta Paradise, where everyone has hair made of spaghetti. Or maybe you're pirates searching for diamonds in an island cove. Make sure to choose a new name for yourself. How does using your imagination make life more exciting?

How did facing a troll and fighting fierce forest creatures help make Jesse stronger in real life? Take turns sharing some of the challenges in your life. Are there any ways you can use your imagination to help cope? You may have heard the advice that if you're scared of doing a presentation in front of people, just imagine everyone in the audience in their underwear. Then you'll feel more comfortable and relaxed!

Play Together: Building Bridges
Nothing is structured when it comes to this bridge-building bonanza!

You will need:
• Toothpicks
• Your imagination

Together, go through your kitchen cabinets, grabbing items you think could be of use as construction materials for a miniature bridge.

Each person uses his imagination—and whatever materials he desires—to build a bridge. Use your creativity; it doesn't have to be a typical bridge. Perhaps it's the bridge leading to the Jolly Green Giant's castle, and is built with green cereal circles, green mini marshmallows, and held together with green fruit rollups and gobs of peanut butter.

After you're done, see if others can guess where your bridge leads. Your kids will learn— just like Jesse—that using your imagination in everyday life can help bridge the gaps between struggle and success!