We were down at Devon House again for an Awards Committee meeting this morning (I’m on this great committee that gives away government grant money), when Katherine wanted to have a look at the gallery. We wandered in and a conversation arose that went something like this:

K: That’s one that you made there, right?

Me: Yup.

K: It looks like Exploits, but not really like Exploits. (Exploits Islands is where we go for summer vacations)

Me: No, it doesn’t look entirely like the real Exploits, does it?

K: No. (pause) It’s like an Imagination Exploits.

Me: Right! It’s the Exploits in my imagination. That’s called an interpretation.

K: (feeling out the word) Inter-pret-tation. Right. (wanders across the gallery)

K: So those are interpretation trees from your imagination too, right?

On reflection, it’s probably easier for a child to understand an interpretation than an adult. Kids don’t need to be given a reason for one…