The Senses-Taker

It's not often that a children's book or any book offers a re-set regarding how we regard the world through our senses--so many distractions to contend with in these modern times. A new book THE SENSES-TAKER by artist and illustrator Julie Schachter does just that by following the journey of a young boy Abel Adams who uses numbers to safely evaluate the world around him. The tale follows his transition from being a compulsive counter of things to experiencing feelings beyond the surface. A dream-like visitation by an elf-sized man a self-described Senses-Taker opens Abel's eyes to what he's been missing. The miniature bureaucrat presents a treasure chest of drawers for almost every kind of sense from SENSE OF DIRECTION SENSE OF SMELL SENSE OF HUMOR to COMMON SENSE and NONSENSE.This entertaining humorous and well-illustrated book harks back to a former time of tree-lined Main Streets doctors who make house-calls a gay couple (in this case two female doctors) a mailman bribing with dog biscuits and a small town's soda fountain. The book encourages a recharge we could all use. It's nice to be reminded occasionally of how to just take a breath and look around smell the roses- cell/phones laptops emails and other links disabled. Maybe take some time out to enjoy a midnight moon the flight of pillow feathers and magical birds circling a disco shower of light urging on Abel-and ourselves to make time for a sense of wonder.