It is said that when you give a small child a present, he or she often has as much fun with the packaging. Jane Yolen's imaginative book certainly confirms that.

A pretty literal how-to book. Yes, some of the ideas are imaginative, and are fleshed out a bit more in the illustrations, but on the whole these are standard ideas. Last I checked most kids don't need a guide book to help them play with a giant cardboard box. It's more or less an extended The words and pictures are pretty much a mirror of each other, with a kind of 'imagination takes you places' flair to the illustrations. But not a very good use of the picturebook form. Why are editors still l...

This was a required storytime title at my store and since I didn't have any other similar books, I felt I had to come up with something to engage the kids. The craft that came along with the event directive was lackluster, to say the least. So what I did, I brought out all kind of boxes if different shapes and sizes. I asked the kids "what are these?" Of course, they said "Boxes." and then I asked "What do we do with them?" to which I heard "Throw them away!" and "Put stuff in them." Then I read...

My favorite part is how she made the illustrations on a box. Whoaaaaa. I also liked the idea of drawing a scene on the INSIDE of a box as well as the outside.

What To Do With a Box, by Jane Yolen, is a wow book for me! This book takes children on an adventure and shows them that with a little imagination, there is no limit to what you can do! In this story, a cardboard box becomes a library, a boat, a race car, and so much more. It sets the scene for a fairy tale, wild expedition, and a tea party! I really enjoy the message that this story delivers and the deeper meaning that lies behind an ordinary cardboard box. I would use this book in the classroo...

An empty box is never really empty. It’s full of potential! You can fill it with magic, imagination, and fun. I swear sometimes the wrapping paper and box provide more fun and joy for kids than the gift itself. :D My brothers and sisters and I would play in a box until the seams split! Then duck-tape it back up and play on! ”A BOX! A BOXIS A WONDERINDEED.THE ONLYSUCH MAGICTHAT YOU’LLEVER NEED.”These pages are a wonder! Every page captures the color, look, and texture of a box. You can see the ri...

This book is so cute and brought back fond memories! Boxes were a big part of my childhood. Now my own kids play with (and in) boxes and draw on (and in) them. When we moved we actually toted a giant empty box along with us, to save for summer play outside...if you (or your kids) need some more ideas for what to do with a box, this little book is sure to help you with that. :-)

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.

What to Do with a Box is a short picture book written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Chris Sheban. Intended for very young audiences, the narrator describes all of the imaginative and creative ways a cardboard box can be used. For instance, in the beginning of the book, the narrator describes a few literal things you can do with a box, such as opening it, sitting inside of it while reading a book, or even painting it in a variety of fun and fanciful ways. However, the story also includes sever...

This book represents the power and imagination inherent in a box. I remember doing some of these things with a box.

What's not to love about this book?Love the premise -- a box's potential for play and imaginationLove the illustrations -- have very much the aura of boxesLove the text - both spare and inspired, just rightNow all that's left is to test drive it with little ones. Stay tuned.Here is a link to a "Boxes" Story time I did a few years back: http://vivianthelibrarian.blogspot.co...

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 Not a Box 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 e...

A rhyming picture book about the adventures you can have with a cardboard box and some imagination. I liked the premise but thought the use of rhyme--which felt forced at times--limited the possibilities of this story. The illustrations were amazing and did most of the heavy lifting in conveying the imagination I had expected from the text. The hues of brown accented with subtle yet rich green, blue and red tones gave warmth and enchantment to the story.

Rhyming text about creative, imaginative ways to use a box - so many things a box can be!Maybe pair with How To Find Gold for a summer storytime theme?

There is nothing better than a big box!

This is basically an illustrated poem, which, according to the blurb, is illustrated in textured, cardboard-esque art. The illustrations are large and aptly depict the wild imaginations of the two children who are playing with the box. I really liked this artwork and found it unique and engaging.

As a collector of boxes for kids to play with, I totally get this book. Love it! Wish there were more adult-size boxes out there so we could let our imaginations go. The illustrations were great, with that cardboard feel everywhere. And such a cute dog!!1/17/17 Used as opener for B preschool theme. Would have been closer if I had remembered not to get rid of all the boxes over the break. oops. But the kids enjoyed this and seeing the imaginations. They liked the dog, too.

Hearken back to childhood days when a large box became the joy for many hours as neighborhood kids slid down a long summer hill. If I close my eyes, I can hear the laughter. Dizzy from tumbling down, down and round, round, round still, we took turns walking back up the hill and climbing in the cardboard home.The author captures these moments, are more. This book is hot of the press and recently published. The illustrations are incredible!

Again, as with so much by Yolen, much of the charm is in the illustrations, so let's give Chris Sheban credit. And I'm not sure this is necessary, given the several older books on the topic and the new-enough Not a Box by Antoinette Portis, author of Not a Stick. But it is a charming book and families should consider checking it out from the library.There is still the problem though of where to get such lovely big boxes. I never had one when I was a child and craved my own 'palace' or at least '...