My Book Box

by Will Hillenbrand

What can you do with a box? You can make a bug box or a hatbox or a hide-and-seek box. But just imagine all the fun and adventure you can have with a book box. You can explore the world and beyond! That's just what a creative little elephant discovers. And with the help of his frog friend, there’s no limit to where they can go.

Popular author-illustrator Will Hillenbrand has created an ingenious tale about the wonderful world a child enters within the pages of a book in this unique celebration of reading and the power of books.

Includes instructions for making a book box.

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Books About Books, Childrens, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2006

About the author

Will Hillenbrand is an American children's book author and illustrator who has worked on over seventy books for young people. Raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, he was influenced by the stories he heard in his father's barbershop growing up. After taking a class in picture-book art while in art school, he decided to pursue a career in children's literature, combining his love of storytelling with his love of illustration. He lives in Terrace Park, Ohio with his wife, Jane, and their son, Ian.

Reviews

[Casandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute for a story time!

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok for a bedtime story. Otherwise not exciting.

[Jody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elephant thinks of many uses for a box, then decides a book box would be the best of all. The storytime kids seemed to enjoy the beginning of the book more - when Elephant was using the box for smelly socks or as a hat. The images of him using it for books in different situations was ok, but not as engaging. It seemed to be saying "reading is fun" more than showing it.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

What fun it is to imagine what a box can become. Elephant and frog think of many things for their box to become and decide to make a book box with lots of uses. Love the story theme as well as the uncluttered illustrations against a white background.

[Viviane Elbee]

This book is about a box that is filled with "mystery, adventure & fun" - a book box! The book has a "make your own book box" activity explanation at the end of the book. It is a good book for young toddlers and preschoolers, with sparse text and kid-friendly illustrations.

[Connie Ehrnschwender · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this book I decided to make a book box of my own!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice in that it's simple and short, with cute pictures, but didn't make a ton of sense to me. I may need to see someone share this one to see how they present it.

[Emerson and Theodore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute book about an elephant (and his companion frog) and a box that they have. They think of all kinds of fun things to do with their cardboard box (bug box, hide and seek box, hat box, etc.). Finally, they decide to make it into a BOOK BOX--a place to put their books and take their books all around the house. It's cute and even has a little project on the final page: "Make your very own book box! You'll need a cardboard box, packing tape, scissors, construction paper, stickers, glue, crayons, colored pencils, or markers and a pile of your favorites books...." I think we'll make a book box!

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read it as part of our elephant storytime (we needed another elephant book), but this would be even better for an activity about books. I can imagine reading it to my own (hypothetical) kids and making our own book boxes.

[Bmack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a great book for a storytime about pretend or loving books. I have used this with a grant program and every child colored on their own book box. I covered boxes with paper and let them decorate them. It was a place for them to keep their special library books when they took them home.

[Edna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elephant discovers that a box can be filled with mysteries, adventures and fun and, be taken anywhere. Adorable book with adorable bold and simple illustrations.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short & with darling pictures; good for story time

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This adorably illustrated book contains such a fun concept. Tomorrow we will be making a book box.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

A determined elephant creates his own book box and discovers all the magic and fun of books and reading.

[Awjtf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it!

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

My wife thought this book was cute, and I have to agree. It also touches on the idea of creativity and the power of imagination to change our perceptions of seemingly ordinary objects like a box.

[Rebecca Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book fits best with the pre/K range in my opinion and has a delightful amount of possibilities of what you can do with your imagination and a box. This is a small thing, but I really don't like depictions of reading books in the bathroom. I know it happens, but as a librarian (for my sanity) I have to believe it doesn't.