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pussreboots's review
5.0
The Secret Box by Barbara Lehman is a wordless picture book about a hidden treasure that leads a group of children on an across-town and -time adventure.
The book opens with children at a boarding school, or an orphanage (whatever the building is, it's up to interpretation), finding an old box under the floorboards. Inside are photographs, a map, tickets and a few other odds and ends. Working together, the children piece together the instructions that lead them across town to a beachside amusement park.
Because of the series of steps it takes to figure everything out, and because of the way the children get to interact with children from other decades, the book reminds me most of [a:David Wiesner|16461|David Wiesner|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1204659134p2/16461.jpg]'s [b:Flotsam|138070|Flotsam|David Wiesner|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172092242s/138070.jpg|133088].
Both of my children liked the book for different reasons. My youngest liked it for all the little details in the artwork. My oldest liked it for its sense of adventure.
The book opens with children at a boarding school, or an orphanage (whatever the building is, it's up to interpretation), finding an old box under the floorboards. Inside are photographs, a map, tickets and a few other odds and ends. Working together, the children piece together the instructions that lead them across town to a beachside amusement park.
Because of the series of steps it takes to figure everything out, and because of the way the children get to interact with children from other decades, the book reminds me most of [a:David Wiesner|16461|David Wiesner|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1204659134p2/16461.jpg]'s [b:Flotsam|138070|Flotsam|David Wiesner|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1172092242s/138070.jpg|133088].
Both of my children liked the book for different reasons. My youngest liked it for all the little details in the artwork. My oldest liked it for its sense of adventure.
emkoshka's review
3.0
Oh, how I love wordless books. This one is a trip through time and history as it progresses around the constant of an orphanage. But Seahorse Pier beckons, and new friends await. Although it should be a happy tale, I felt overwhelmed by a sense of sadness, desolation and abandonment. Completely innocent yet somehow sinister.
heypretty52's review
4.0
Told entirely through images, The Secret Box spans many decades to show how a hidden box holds an escape for many children who truly need it.
tashrow's review
4.0
Lehman continues her wordless books with this treasure of a title. Years ago, during the times of steam trains and horse-drawn carriages, a boy hides a box under the floorboards of a house. Other buildings are built around that house, as the city grows. Cars and a modern train show that time has passed. Three children head to the high floor and discover the hidden box. In the box are directions to the Seahorse Pier. The children have to find the old landmarks that are almost hidden in the modern city. They follow the map to the Seahorse Pier and to a surprise waiting for them at the end of their adventure.
Lehman’s books are delightful adventures, allowing readers to take travels along with the characters in the books. Readers also get to puzzle out what is happening, as the book takes turns and twists like any great adventure should. Told entirely through illustrations, the story is delicate yet strong. Lehman uses a deft hand in this book, balancing the book exquisitely.
Although this is a wordless story, it will work best for slightly older preschoolers because the stories are not as straight forward as most wordless books. Because of that, I see them as ideal picks for children having difficulty with reading.
Highly recommended, this book will be enjoyed by fans of Lehman’s previous work and will find new fans as well. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
Lehman’s books are delightful adventures, allowing readers to take travels along with the characters in the books. Readers also get to puzzle out what is happening, as the book takes turns and twists like any great adventure should. Told entirely through illustrations, the story is delicate yet strong. Lehman uses a deft hand in this book, balancing the book exquisitely.
Although this is a wordless story, it will work best for slightly older preschoolers because the stories are not as straight forward as most wordless books. Because of that, I see them as ideal picks for children having difficulty with reading.
Highly recommended, this book will be enjoyed by fans of Lehman’s previous work and will find new fans as well. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
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