Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - September/October 2011 - (Page 32)

by Tori Campbell Transforming Used Books into Treasures “Itsamonkeyitsamonkeyitsamonkey!” cries 5-year-old Malik, bouncing in his chair as he hugs his new toy. Even if the stuﬀed animal in his clutches is more of a mix between a Scottish terrier and a Labrador retriever, I consider my mission very much accomplished. In 2006, my family’s spring cleaning expanded to the depths of the basement, which resulted in the unearthing of four plastic boxes of various stuffed toys and books from my family’s collective past. Upon realizing that my siblings and I were now—unlike when they had been packed—willing to part with the boxes’ contents, we wondered just what to do with them. As it turns out, Beanie Babies were not the fantastic investment that everyone had expected them to be. Lost capital aside, most of the books and animals were in excellent condition, some even with their original tags still attached. With the holidays nine months away, many local charities weren’t accepting toy or book donations. And so our findings sat, ostensibly until December. But my sister was suddenly struck with an idea: why not personalize the donations? If the books and stuffed animals were paired and packaged according to ISTOCK 32 imagine Sept/Oct 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - September/October 2011

Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - September/October 2011
Contents
Big Picture
In My Own Words
Physics Is…
Making the Team
Nuclear by Nature
Physics: The Next Generation
Telescopic Views
Exploring the Mysterious Lives of Stars
Around the Universe in Three Weeks
Selected Opportunities & Resources
Book Buddies
Meeting the (Economics) Challenge
Off the Shelf
Word Wise
Exploring Career Options
One Step Ahead
Planning Ahead for College
Students Review
Creative Minds Imagine
Mark Your Calendar
Knossos Games

Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - September/October 2011