Do Not Open the Box

by Timothy Young (Illustrator)

Benny spots a big cardboard box with a note taped to it saying, "Do Not Open." His imagination runs wild, and it's almost too much for a curious boy to bear. He thinks about all of the things, good and bad, that could be inside that box. A birthday robot? A wolverine? An entrance to another world? What should he do? This endearingly illustrated tale of a classic childhood dilemma has a surprise ending and offers a peek into a young boy's mind as he weighs tantalizing possibilities against the risks of breaking the rules.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published January 28, 2016

About the author

Timothy Young always wondered as a child who made the toys he played with, who wrote and illustrated the books he read and who made the cartoons he watched. He grew up to be one of the people who got to do all of them.

Aside from being an author/illustrator he has also designed toys, worked in animation and built puppets. He has also illustrated books for other authors.

His career highlights include being the Head Model-Maker for the Penny cartoons on the first season of Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, designing and building Muppets for Jim Henson Productions and sculpting the very first Simpsons character toys. He has been the design director for two toy companies and worked under contract with dozens of others.

Tim has visited hundreds of schools and libraries and finds that doing presentations with students is one of the most fun and rewarding things he get to do. He loves passing on what he’s learned to kids like himself.

Reviews

[Kid Lit Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do Not Open the Box immediately screams out, “This is a Timothy Young book!” Young has an unmistakable style that includes round-faced kids with expressive eyes and a goofy sense of humor I love. Young’s books are fun and humorous, sure to be fan favorites. Do Not Open the Box will be the same. Young must have never truly grown-up as he has the young Benny down perfectly. The objects Benny imagines are very boy-oriented. I love the twist, at the end. Often Young’s endings are unpredictable and Do Not Open the Box is no exception.

I would love to write a spoiler and tell you how the book ends, but I won’t. Young children, especially boys, will love Do Not Open the Box. The illustrations add volumes to the story. Each object Benny imagines comes to life. Like an explosion, most objects . . .

To Read the Full Review and View Interior Spreads, Go To: http://bit.ly/DoNotOpenTheBox

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those who think today's kids have no imagination, try this book. Kids will have a blast wondering what joys or horrors might lie inside the box. Reminds me of childhood when an empty box was an adventure waiting to happen. Told with humor, and a clever twist, it will be a favorite read.

[Richelle Zirkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about a boy who is tempted to open the box labeled 'do not open the box.' He imagines that it could be something wonderful, and he imagines that it could be something terrifying. Young readers will have a good laugh when the mystery of the box is finally revealed.

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though tempting, the young boy does not open the box. He imagines all the things that could be in it but resists opening it.
Young readers will be surprised to discover his sister hiding in the box to scare him.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to note that nothing actually happens in this book, but the author has the reader following along with all the possibilities that occur to the main character. I like how the art is placed on a cardboard looking background.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute book with a surprise ending! It was a bit like Pandora’s Box for kids. I liked it, and it will be a fun story time book.

[Amanda Gaylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our child got this book today when the author visited his school. Read this book before bed and both our children loved it! Highly recommend to other parents for their kids to enjoy.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great little story. Benny sees a huge box that says "Do Not Open This Box". Being a typical child he tries to imagine what might be in the box. Could it be cookies or maybe puppies. Should I open the box and let them out. Then he thinks of all the negative things that could be in the box like snakes or monsters. He decides not to open it and walks away. That is a tough decision to make. A cute surprise about what is actually in the box.

I loved the illustrations. The backgrounds were all done like corrugated cardboard and the pictures were colourful and detailed. Children would be able to take their time to look at all the stuff in the pictures. Not a difficult read for younger children and it would make a great read aloud, especially when talking about patience. A great addition to home, classroom, school and public libraries.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awww this book was great - Benny is just your typical young boy. In this story Benny spots a big cardboard box with a note taped to it saying, "Do Not Open." His imagination runs wild and the book covers his thoughts - what is in the box??? A really good way to illustrate his dilemma about the risks of breaking the rules. Its packed with brilliant illustrations too.

[Melanie Therese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do Not Open the Box! is super cute. It's difficult for a story as short as this to manage a twist ending, but this one does it handily. The various things that could be in the box, both delightful and frightful, are imaginative and fun. The illustrations are really playful and fun.

Highly recommended!

[Barbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Benny spots a box that says “Do Not Open,” he imagines everything possible that it could hold, from cookies to robots to puppies. The big surprise is that he doesn’t really open it. Children three to five can use their imaginations as they guess what could be inside.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really cute. I liked that Benny used his very vivid imagination, but that he ultimately listened and followed directions- and it was a good thing too.

[Nan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book. Boy sees box that says Do not open. He doesn't, instead he imagines what must be in there. Good to spark discussion of what students imagine could be in it. Ending is cute.