katy_irene's review against another edition
4.0
The illustrations are five-star worthy, but the simplified text knocked it down a star. Potential themes: imagination, boxes, play, ideas....
bluenicorn's review against another edition
3.0
This was a good one for encouraging creative thinking, and the book's layout is fun. It can be folded up incorrectly, though, which was a little annoying to me (it messed up the rhyme scheme!)
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
4.0
One of my favorite memories is playing with the large boxes that we would have after getting a new appliance. This was not a regular occurrence so we had to make those boxes last.
Love books that explore the joy of childhood imagination.
Love books that explore the joy of childhood imagination.
yapha's review against another edition
4.0
A fun poem about the endless possibilities of a box. Chris Sheban's illustrations really knock it out of the park.
saracbee's review against another edition
4.0
This book is appropriate for elementary and even middle school. It is all about thinking outside the box and coming up with new and creative ideas. We used this as an introduction to an activity at the beginning of the year where the students were given a box and they could work in teams to create anything they wanted to with the materials around the classroom. The students had so many great ideas including vending machine, airplane, computer, etc.
octygon's review against another edition
4.0
Lovely little book! I really enjoyed the rhythm of the text, the creativity of the kids in the books. I also thought the pictures were great--I love the way they are drawn/painted/etc on corrugated cardboard. I used to play with boxes as a kid, and I remember how my kids had the greatest week with a box after we got a new refrigerator when they were little. My kids' high school has a recycled boat race every year, where students make boats out of cardboard boxes and other found things. Boxes rule!
suzannekm's review against another edition
4.0
Great inspiration for play. Especially useful to have a large box (or a few) to play with afterwards!
jshettel's review against another edition
4.0
A box is rarely just a box. Use your imagination and it can be anything you want it to be!
antlersantlers's review against another edition
3.0
Exactly what I expected from this book. It's nothing particularly new, but it definitely has a place in the STEM push in schools and libraries these days. I did a cardboard construction program last year, but it was geared towards tweens. I think with the help of this and [b:Not a Box|220596|Not a Box|Antoinette Portis|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388203888s/220596.jpg|213602] I could maybe do a similar type program for kids and families.
The illustrations are done on cardboard, but I can't really find out to what degree. The pictures feature all the hallmarks of cardboard: the corrugated edges, tape, markings on the outside, folds and ridges, etc. I can tell some of those were drawn by the illustrator (mostly the corrugated edges) but I don't think all those attributes are. It would be crazy impressive if it were all trompe l'oeil cardboard, but I doubt it is.
The illustrations are done on cardboard, but I can't really find out to what degree. The pictures feature all the hallmarks of cardboard: the corrugated edges, tape, markings on the outside, folds and ridges, etc. I can tell some of those were drawn by the illustrator (mostly the corrugated edges) but I don't think all those attributes are. It would be crazy impressive if it were all trompe l'oeil cardboard, but I doubt it is.