Box

by Min Flyte, Rosalind Beardshaw (Illustrator)

What would YOU do with a box? When four toddlers find some toys in cardboard boxes, they have fun with them for a while. But, before long, the friends’ interest in the toys wains and their attention turns to the boxes themselves. What could they do with SO many boxes, they wonder? An inspiring and charming novelty book celebrating the creative possibilities and limitless joy of the boxes.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Plays, Fiction, Adventure, Friendship

20 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2015

About the author

Min Flyte is a big fan of the simple things in life. At home, she likes junk modeling, proper bread, and watching home video shows with her kids, especially if they involve cats. By day, she is Camilla Reid, editorial director of Nosy Crow, and she lives in London.

Reviews

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable.

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Box, by Min Flyte, with illustrations by Rosalind Beardshow is about one of a child's ultimate toys - the amazing empty box. Building cardboard box forts as a kid, as well as smaller cardboard box houses for dolls and toys, is such an imaginative and fun thing to do. With Box, Flyte and Beardshaw have created a marvelous story and exploration that little readers will truly love. Best of all, and crucial for a book in which boxes are the star, there are TONS of flaps to lift and boxes to peek inside! Kids will adore the interaction that the author so brilliantly included.


Thomas, Alice, Sam and Nancy have their own private box. What does each box contain? A drum, a blanket, a tricycle and guess what else? - more boxes! Five flaps lift to reveal a toy mouse sleeping in a cozy little box. After the boxes are emptied, of course they need to be played with every bit as much as the things that are inside! Imaginations are ignited as castles, pirate ships and puppet theaters are cleverly designed - all with flaps to lift and enjoy.

But you're not finished yet! If you put all the boxes together you get a special flap that unfolds, like an accordion, to reveal a rocket ship! There's more you say? Yes!! A four page gatefold reveals one more surprise, followed by tired out inventors and creators asleep - in a box, could they be anywhere else you might ask?

This amazing book will have kids creating their own architectural delights and the next time a box of any size and shape enters your house it will eagerly be snatched up and magically transformed into the perfect, unique toy powered by someone's dream.

[Sheri Levasseur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh! All the things you can do with a box! This early elementary/pre-K read kept even my two 9 year olds enraptured as we read it together at the bookstore.

Great illustrations with a peak-a-boo lift the flap surprise feature in every page.

I WILL be reading this to ignite creativity with early literacy kids and highly recommend to teachers, parents and daycare providers of pre-K.

Would be a great add to STEM and STEAM recommended read lists and to launch a #CardboardChallenge at school, library or community event.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so much fun. A group of children get boxes and flaps encourage you to peek inside, but once the boxes are unpacked is when the real fun begins. What can you do with a box? Pretty much anything it appears if you have the imagination to ponder that question. This is told with darling illustrations, pages of inspiring thoughts, and flaps and foldout pages that beg you to turn the page and see what's next.

[LtLEGOReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is L-O-V-E! If like me, you or you've got a child(ren) that loves playing with cardboard boxes (ain't it just the simplest things!), you will identify with this book.

Definitely a book that allows for plenty of imagination. I also especially love the liftable flap on one of the picture of the boxes at one of the pages. However, as this was a library book, the flap was creased pretty fast.

Nevertheless, a fun book to get for your home library.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have used this book many times in storytime (3 and 4-year-olds) and the kids love it. It really gets their imagination going and after I finish reading it I always ask them what they would "make" their box become and they have a great time shouting out "rocketship!" or "car!" or "house!" They love the box within a box within a box within a box, they couldn't believe their eyes! Overall, a great interactive read for storytime or home use.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Along the lines of "Not a Box" by Antoinette Portis, this book also investigates what can be done with boxes. However, in this book, children can lift the flaps to see what is inside of each box as the story goes along. The illustrations are darling, and they remind me of those in "Books Always, Everywhere" by Jane Blatt. A lovely little story of discovery for families to experience together.

[Courtenay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute book for the very youngest reader. I wonder, though, how long the flaps will last. Reminds me of Not A Box and other activity books that are so popular right now. I commend the writer for encouraging creativity and independent thought in a world that is being overrun by technology that does everything for our youngsters.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy finds a box and takes it to a friend. Many boxes of different sizes and shapes are found as the kids share with one another and dream up adventure. A little long but the pull down flaps are fun great one on one or preschool for sure but I'd like to try toddlers too.

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boxes are opened using flaps added to the illustrations. My favorite was the box inside a box, inside a box, and so forth multiple times. This book is a great inspiration for children to explore the adventures found in a cardboard box with friends.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Age: Toddler-Preschool
Toy: Cardboard boxes

Perfect delivery of lift-the-flaps as four toddlers discover items inside boxes and are left to create more fun with the actual boxes. Perfect for a cardboard box storytime.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lift-the-flap story that celebrates all the imaginative play that can happen with a standard cardboard box.

I like the way the writing encourages readers to guess what might be hiding inside a particular box and mixed media illustrations are charmingly creative. Toddlers and PreK.

[Mely · Rating 4 out of 5]

such a fun and unique concept of a book. My toddler loves any book that is interactive and this definitely is a favorite. would have been a five-star read had it not been for the funky storyline in the beginning.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

With flaps and fold-out pages, this picture book explores some of the imagination games that can be played with boxes. Pair this with Not a Box by Antoinette Portis and The Birthday Box by Leslie Patricelli

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming illustrations and lift the flaps praise imaginative play.

[Elvira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully engaging book with flip up tabs exhibiting hidden surprises that introduces imaginative play using boxes.

[Peace_Love_Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read kids book. My sons loved the fold outs . Re-read

[Cara Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, conversational book with lots of surprising flaps and foldout pages. I like how it encourages imaginative play with boxes.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will be a fun book to share with all. Cleverly made. Wonder how it will (or will not) hold up to the rigors of a public library.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

How a child can play with boxes. Also, learning small, medium, and big. Lots of interactive flaps. Fun and inspires play.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute! All kinds of things come in boxes and you can do a lot with boxes. Great to help a child imagine.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book with nice illustrations. Not ideal for a library because of the lift-the-flaps.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so, so many picture books about boxes out there, but this one is truly special. I'm sure it'd be a sure-fire toddler storytime hit!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun and interactive picture book. What comes inside a box and what can you do with the box when you finish? We loved the flaps and illustrations.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

can't wait to use this one in storytime!

[Chinook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to Kait at BookBar, after winning at the quiz. It is a cute book and she really enjoyed it. I’d probably buy her a copy now if Maddie wasn’t so likely to destroy all the fold out pages.

[Kenson and kirra · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a lift the flap book, both my sister (age 3) and I (age 5) enjoyed it very much. it made me wish i had a box to play with

[Shauna Ludlow Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my grandsons is fascinated with boxes. He tries to fit (like a cat) even in tiny ones. I have many photos of him in boxes.

This book has gorgeous illustrations—especially the fabrics. There are many flaps to open and discover secrets.

Four toddlers invent many uses for boxes of all sizes.

What a fun book!

[Olivia S · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Cute simple book about the fun creative things you can do with a box. Most of the points are for the very cool fold out pages and illustration effects. The story is just so-so, but I do like books about creative play. 3+

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clever, cute lift the flap book that lets readers discover what is inside each box... and has some creative ideas for what they could do with all those boxes after they've played with their gifts.
The illustrations are adorable.
Kids who love boxes will adore this book!