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The Big Box
In her first illustrated book for children, the Pulitzer Prize–winning author Toni Morrison introduces three feisty children who show grown-ups what it really means to be a kid.
48 pages, Paperback
First published September 10, 1999
3 people are currently reading
1111 people want to read
About the author
Toni Morrison
234 books23.3k followersChloe Anthony Wofford Morrison, known as Toni Morrison, was an American novelist and editor. Her first novel, The Bluest Eye, was published in 1970. The critically acclaimed Song of Solomon (1977) brought her national attention and won the National Book Critics Circle Award. In 1988, Morrison won the Pulitzer Prize for Beloved (1987); she was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993.
Born and raised in Lorain, Ohio, Morrison graduated from Howard University in 1953 with a B.A. in English. Morrison earned a master's degree in American Literature from Cornell University in 1955. In 1957 she returned to Howard University, was married, and had two children before divorcing in 1964. Morrison became the first black female editor for fiction at Random House in New York City in the late 1960s. She developed her own reputation as an author in the 1970s and '80s. Her novel Beloved was made into a film in 1998. Morrison's works are praised for addressing the harsh consequences of racism in the United States and the Black American experience.
The National Endowment for the Humanities selected Morrison for the Jefferson Lecture, the U.S. federal government's highest honor for achievement in the humanities, in 1996. She was honored with the National Book Foundation's Medal of Distinguished Contribution to American Letters the same year. President Barack Obama presented her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on May 29, 2012. She received the PEN/Saul Bellow Award for Achievement in American Fiction in 2016. Morrison was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 2020.
Born and raised in Lorain, Ohio, Morrison graduated from Howard University in 1953 with a B.A. in English. Morrison earned a master's degree in American Literature from Cornell University in 1955. In 1957 she returned to Howard University, was married, and had two children before divorcing in 1964. Morrison became the first black female editor for fiction at Random House in New York City in the late 1960s. She developed her own reputation as an author in the 1970s and '80s. Her novel Beloved was made into a film in 1998. Morrison's works are praised for addressing the harsh consequences of racism in the United States and the Black American experience.
The National Endowment for the Humanities selected Morrison for the Jefferson Lecture, the U.S. federal government's highest honor for achievement in the humanities, in 1996. She was honored with the National Book Foundation's Medal of Distinguished Contribution to American Letters the same year. President Barack Obama presented her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on May 29, 2012. She received the PEN/Saul Bellow Award for Achievement in American Fiction in 2016. Morrison was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
April 14, 2014
The big box
This book dose not have any cute paintings. All of things are painting by an real way. In my mind, maybe some children will not like it because of the painting style. But the content of this books is very wonderful.
There are three children live inside the big brown box. They are Patty and Mickey and Liza Sue. They are two girls and one boy. Patty is an naughty girl. She spoke in the library, sang in the class, and went to the restroom four times. Mickey is a mischievous boy. He wrote his name on the mailbox lid, sat on the super’s Honda, hollered in the hall, and played handball Right where the sign not ta. Liza is a puckish girl. She let the chickens keep their eggs, let the squirrels into the fruit trees, took the bit from the horse’s mouth, and fed honey to the bees.
Patty’s teachers, Mickey’s tenants, and Liza’s neighbors sent them to the big brown box. Because they are troubles for them.
These three children give me another feeling not like trouble. They are the symbol of all children. Children want to play everyday because these are their natural instincts. They do not want to stay in a stage all the time. Maybe the adults around them just want to keep them healthy, safety, or anything else. But the adults always can ignore children’s feelings.
For example, you are a businessman. You have lots of work. And you have a little kid. He or she like making noise, singing the songs and speaking the words loudly, and he or she wants you to play with he or she each time. But you have no time. You need to work hard and there are many cases needed to be dealt with. At this time, you give he or she a doll or a plane and tell him or her, ‘Honey! Please go back your bedroom and do your homework. You play to much. If you have already complete your homework, you read some books. Do not make any noise. Dad has lots of work.’. After that, everything done. You can work quietly and you will think your child is very good because he or she can understand you. But this is wrong. You do not give your children what they want. They just want to play. The free play time! They might think they are the birds and they always need to stay in the cage. They are not freedom. I think each parent can let their children have some free time. Singing loudly, making big noises, and laughing loudly.
Please give your children three hours to let them release themselves. After that, everything will be changed.
This book dose not have any cute paintings. All of things are painting by an real way. In my mind, maybe some children will not like it because of the painting style. But the content of this books is very wonderful.
There are three children live inside the big brown box. They are Patty and Mickey and Liza Sue. They are two girls and one boy. Patty is an naughty girl. She spoke in the library, sang in the class, and went to the restroom four times. Mickey is a mischievous boy. He wrote his name on the mailbox lid, sat on the super’s Honda, hollered in the hall, and played handball Right where the sign not ta. Liza is a puckish girl. She let the chickens keep their eggs, let the squirrels into the fruit trees, took the bit from the horse’s mouth, and fed honey to the bees.
Patty’s teachers, Mickey’s tenants, and Liza’s neighbors sent them to the big brown box. Because they are troubles for them.
These three children give me another feeling not like trouble. They are the symbol of all children. Children want to play everyday because these are their natural instincts. They do not want to stay in a stage all the time. Maybe the adults around them just want to keep them healthy, safety, or anything else. But the adults always can ignore children’s feelings.
For example, you are a businessman. You have lots of work. And you have a little kid. He or she like making noise, singing the songs and speaking the words loudly, and he or she wants you to play with he or she each time. But you have no time. You need to work hard and there are many cases needed to be dealt with. At this time, you give he or she a doll or a plane and tell him or her, ‘Honey! Please go back your bedroom and do your homework. You play to much. If you have already complete your homework, you read some books. Do not make any noise. Dad has lots of work.’. After that, everything done. You can work quietly and you will think your child is very good because he or she can understand you. But this is wrong. You do not give your children what they want. They just want to play. The free play time! They might think they are the birds and they always need to stay in the cage. They are not freedom. I think each parent can let their children have some free time. Singing loudly, making big noises, and laughing loudly.
Please give your children three hours to let them release themselves. After that, everything will be changed.
August 5, 2008
One of my favorite stories. My son LOVED to read have this book read to him. A book about finding yourself even when everyone else is trying to put you into that same "box".
March 15, 2018
Wonderful message, and Morrison’s rhythmic poetry really adds something extra to the text. I chose four stars instead of five because it is a bit complex for the picture book audience, and I didn’t personally find the art appealing.
October 11, 2021
The Big Box by Toni Morrison is a book that should be read several times to truly digest the meaning. When I first read it I thought it was a disgusting concept about throwing “troubled children” away. Then after the next read I heard the pain of the children's voices of not being understood by their families and communities. You have to see past the happy rhymes and really think deeply about how this book is showing the perspectives of children who are often written off for having behavioral problems. I think this book could be a powerful tool for teachers who might have children with challenging behaviors in their class. I think with the complexity of this book it would be best suited for first grade or older. The lesson I was thinking of would include stopping after reading each child’s story and asking guiding questions about what the child felt they were doing compared to what the adults in their life thought they were doing. Each character explains that sometimes they talk too loud or act out but they also have amazing qualities and are helpful too. After this interaction I think it would be such a huge breakthrough to have the student verbalize, draw, or write what “box” they are being put in. What are the positive things that they do that might be misunderstood or overlooked. Often times students with challenging behaviors become very negative because they are always being corrected or talked down to. Using the strong relationship you have with that child I think you can broach this challenging subject of what you see them doing versus their intention.
July 26, 2025
People often lament that Autism or ADHD were not as prevalent even four or five decades ago. Both ADHD and Autism are neurological conditions, and not at all any type of mental illness.
I think this book gives a window into what might have typically happened to neurodivergent children with these conditions decades before they were given a true, culturally and gender-sensitive diagnosis.
This book, (co-written by Toni Morrison and her son, Slade Morrison), is meant to be a thought-provoking discourse about children - and the judgmental adult perception of their childlike behavior, as well as the adult over-reactions and the punitive, and often traumatizing, ways that adults metaphorically "box" children in with their rules or the actual ways. It also highlights how neurological disorders that are not mental illness may have been inadvertently linked to the psychiatric system not long ago. (Meaning: ADHD and Autism may have been misdiagnosed as mental illness before the understanding we have of them today as neurological disorders.)
This book, most importantly, dives into what happens when children are institutionalized for not fitting in with perceived social behavioral norms (think decades before neurodivergent and other traits were more commonly recognized across various cultural upbringings.)
For context, this book was written from an incident that happened to Slade when he was younger. The response catalyzed her and her son's therapeutic writing of this book.
The book is a gem because it has you seeing a child's perspective of how adults perceive their curious, authentic, and age-appropriate behavior that is the result of them just being a kid.
While I do feel that this book is often misinterpreted (and even banned), what I realize is that this book is not in a similar vein to books about Autism, or even kids who act like kids (ala Shel Silverstein, etc.) It stands out as its own canon. It can be seen as many things, including an accurate portrayal of how lonely, judged, and abandoned a child might feel by those who seek to control their behavior.
I adore this book as it shows "black sheep" behaviors or kids who find, relatively harmless, ways to amuse themselves. Often, these kids might be viewed as neurodivergent in today's world, sometimes outside of what others would deem socially acceptable behavior norms.
September 9, 2019
Oh wow! This is a deep children's book.
Read
October 27, 2023Read in A Toni Morrison Treasury:. Not sure how much I enjoyed it. Admire the heck out of it, though, for the right audience. These are good kids: normal, healthy kids. They just want the freedom to act like kids, have adventures, and be loved.
April 18, 2016
The reason I chose this book for our social justice week was first because of the illustrations, the odd postmodern, even folk looking art style was both beautiful and strange. I was judging the book by its cover but that's okay, because the story is extremely powerful. The title page is a giant double page spread with an outside scene with birds and rabbits and other critters. The font of the title looks stamped on, just as it did on the box from the cover scene. This font makes bold and official type letters, but they are crooked and spaced oddly giving it a childlike, pretending feeling.
The book itself is geared towards teaching children that you can't put their imaginations in a box and lock it up, to make them behave. The book also aims to remind adults that buying things for a child and expecting the child to be happy with just those purchased things is shallow and unrealistic. The book reminds me of 'Where the Wild Things Are' by Sendak, taking these dark turns to give children a sense of how the world can really be.
Because of a deep interest in the background of the story, I took to researching a bit. The book was inspired by Toni Morrison's son, in grade school Slade Morrison was told by a teacher that he could't handle his own freedom. After learning this, I'm marveled at how little the Morrisons relied on race for the story. The story of the three children seems more about how energetic children are being stuffed inside a box because they're too wild, similar the way most parents say their child is ADHD, or the old saying 'be seen not heard.' But what Slade Morrison was told was clearly a jab at his race.
What I admire most about this book is the way it doesn't really pad the darker themes and ideals for children, just like Sendak and many other authors, I believe that children take to these themes and run with them. The complexity of the story is easy for a child to understand and relate too, and a slap to adults who actually treat children this way. It's a fantastic story, both the words on the paper and the themes that stand behind the words, holding them up.
The book itself is geared towards teaching children that you can't put their imaginations in a box and lock it up, to make them behave. The book also aims to remind adults that buying things for a child and expecting the child to be happy with just those purchased things is shallow and unrealistic. The book reminds me of 'Where the Wild Things Are' by Sendak, taking these dark turns to give children a sense of how the world can really be.
Because of a deep interest in the background of the story, I took to researching a bit. The book was inspired by Toni Morrison's son, in grade school Slade Morrison was told by a teacher that he could't handle his own freedom. After learning this, I'm marveled at how little the Morrisons relied on race for the story. The story of the three children seems more about how energetic children are being stuffed inside a box because they're too wild, similar the way most parents say their child is ADHD, or the old saying 'be seen not heard.' But what Slade Morrison was told was clearly a jab at his race.
What I admire most about this book is the way it doesn't really pad the darker themes and ideals for children, just like Sendak and many other authors, I believe that children take to these themes and run with them. The complexity of the story is easy for a child to understand and relate too, and a slap to adults who actually treat children this way. It's a fantastic story, both the words on the paper and the themes that stand behind the words, holding them up.
September 2, 2014
The Big Box is not your average children's book. It starts out with three children playing and their parents don't think they can handle their freedom. So they put each child in a big brown box with a door that has three locks, and a window that keeps them inside. The big box reminds more of a psych ward then an actual box that the kids' are in.
The illustrations in this book look they were drawn by a child, but that's what I love about the book. You can tell the author definitely had a kid's brain when writing this. This book was written in end-rhymes, meaning every other sentence's last word rhymed. In the parents' eyes the three children can't "handle their freedom" but in reality the kids' are just playing and being kids.
The illustrations in this book look they were drawn by a child, but that's what I love about the book. You can tell the author definitely had a kid's brain when writing this. This book was written in end-rhymes, meaning every other sentence's last word rhymed. In the parents' eyes the three children can't "handle their freedom" but in reality the kids' are just playing and being kids.
November 24, 2024
Toni Morrison wrote this with her 9-year-old son.
"Oh, the seagulls scream
And rabbits hop
And beavers chew trees when they need 'em.
But Patty and Mickey and Liza Sue--
Those kids can't handle their freedom."
"Oh, the seagulls scream
And rabbits hop
And beavers chew trees when they need 'em.
But Patty and Mickey and Liza Sue--
Those kids can't handle their freedom."
February 25, 2021
This book has been a favorite in the household since my girls were little. I was talking about it with them the other day. The concept of the book is pretty deep and complicated and Analiz was saying that she really doesn't think that she understood the meaning of the book when she was little but she still really liked the book. Israel and the other small kids also like this book. Without understanding the meaning behind it totally, I think the kids do have a subconscious understanding of the meaning of adults trying to control kids and take away their creativity. The book has a lot of other intriguing things about it that attract kids. It has great pictures, diversity, and a melodic, rhyming verse style of writing that is very soothing and nice to listen to and to read. The words themselves help you see the story in your mind and the beautiful expansive pictures are just a bonus!
February 23, 2021
Ah, a refreshing story but children’s imagination and their freedom to let it run wild! The writer of this story, Toni Morrison, takes us on a journey when children struggle with the control of their freedom. The adults in this story are portrayed are seen as testing the children when things don’t go their way. However, the parents make sure to supply the kids with their favorite things. The children are given tools, in this case, a big box, to be free with limited visitations from their parents. This is when they can explore their freedom without the judgment of their parents. Giselle Potter, the illustrator, showcases the children’s true emotions as they battle the idea of freedom throughout the story.
January 23, 2019
This book tells the stories of Patty, Mickey and Liza Sue and how they ended up living in a big box. All three of them were extremely active children, and as a result, the grown ups in their lives decided to put them in a box. While they lived in the box, the adults gave them things they though kids loved. However, all the kids want is their own freedom. The story is told with almost a song-like rhythm and heavy repetition. The illustrations are unique, and you can really see the emotions on all of the characters' faces. Children would be able to relate to this book because all they want to do is play and be free as they pease.
July 21, 2021
This book tells the story of 3 kids who are put "in a box" because they stretch the boundaries of what normal should be. It shows it character boy or girl and tells about all the ways they misbehave. From playing where the teacher asked them not to, to constant talking. The kids were sent away to live in an alternate home, which is referred to as a box. It really had me thinking about what we do to kids in our classrooms who act out. Do we put them in box? To be only who we expect them to be? Is that fair? This book takes a creative approach to recognizing what kids need to thrive. I could see this book being used with older kids or even adults studying to be a teacher to help reflect on the expectations we have of students.
September 15, 2025
Randomly grabbed this book off the shelf at the library for my three year old and I think I love it more than she does. The book is a tad repetitive but that is usually a good thing in children's books. The main narrative is very strong though, for child and adult alike. My parents are pretty chill but there are many parents and grandparents that would do well to take the lesson of the book to heart. My favorite quote is also quite relevant in today's political climate:
"I know you are smart and I know that you think
you are doing what is best for me.
But if freedom is handled just your way
then it's not my freedom or free"
"I know you are smart and I know that you think
you are doing what is best for me.
But if freedom is handled just your way
then it's not my freedom or free"
January 29, 2019
The art in this picturebook isn’t necessarily simple, but it isn’t realistic-looking either. I found it confusing at first how the children looked as though they were in a room when being placed in the big box, but then I found it amusing when I saw later in on the book that they came out of the box that they were placed in by people trying to contain their freedom. I feel as though the “moral” in this story is to not let anyone “box” you into categories that will have everyone accept you but will betray your sense of freedom/self.
July 29, 2019
The message in this book is wonderful: you can't let people put you in a box just because the way you act makes them nervous. Obviously, since it's Toni Morrison, it's beautifully crafted. However I didn't really like the art style, it's long and the idea of parents locking their children in a box was something I thought might freak my son out. But he proved me wrong and LOVED it. He asked me to read it to him 5 times while we had it out from the library. He would probably give it 5 stars, I would give it 3 so I split the difference with 4.
February 20, 2021
Toni Morrison writes this story in such a poetic way all the while still containing a great message for her readers. Morrison’s book can be a great reminder for both children and adults that it is okay for children to be loud and energetic. Children will be children, allow them to express themselves! There are a lot of times where children always hear the word “No” but children need the freedom to be children.
In some of the pages, the illustrations seemed to be in a sort of aerial view when showing the characters in a box, however, by the end of the story it changes and zooms out so the reader sees that the children can escape the small boxed world that the adults in the story created and the children enter freedom.
In some of the pages, the illustrations seemed to be in a sort of aerial view when showing the characters in a box, however, by the end of the story it changes and zooms out so the reader sees that the children can escape the small boxed world that the adults in the story created and the children enter freedom.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2018
The Big Box is really a picture book for grownups. The adults, in this fable, think that they're helping children by keeping them sequestered. Instead, they should be careful to be neither overprotective nor neglectful.
This is poetic lesson in the value of letting your kids explore, while still providing them with a safe home base. It has rhythm, a refrain, and distinctive illustrations. Thanks to Nobel Prize Winner Toni Morrison for the very important reminder!
This is poetic lesson in the value of letting your kids explore, while still providing them with a safe home base. It has rhythm, a refrain, and distinctive illustrations. Thanks to Nobel Prize Winner Toni Morrison for the very important reminder!
March 7, 2023
Freedom isn't free if rules you have to be. Children grow and everyone knows, no stepping out, screams, or shouts. Good little kids we'll see.
That is the sentiment that adults have towards children, especially those with IEPs and disabilities. It is damaging and limiting. Kids don't have potential to be who you think they should be, they are living and laughing and that's who they are already. This is a great book for kids struggling and for adults in need of perspective.
That is the sentiment that adults have towards children, especially those with IEPs and disabilities. It is damaging and limiting. Kids don't have potential to be who you think they should be, they are living and laughing and that's who they are already. This is a great book for kids struggling and for adults in need of perspective.
August 20, 2018
This is so good, and refreshingly challenging for a picture book. Adults force children to live in a box because they don't want to play by adults' arbitrary rules. And the children question and ultimately challenge authority in a healthy and respectful way.
July 8, 2020
Let children be children. Love, learn, and explore. Many adults like to put children in boxes, yelling at them and saying they are loud and other things. Society says get in this box but, these children desired to live life free outside of the box.
February 21, 2021
The story is about 3 children who don't follow the rules and adults are putting them into a big box because they "can't handle their freedom." The tone I heard as I read the story was poetic. The illustrations were colorful and interesting.
February 23, 2021
The big box is about three kids who are loosing their freedom. The voice we hear is a narrator of the third person. Also, the illustrations are very vibrant in color but also have a lot of neutral colors as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2024
This is a book that will stay with me for a while...
A children's book that also works for adults, this is a book with a strong message about what freedom really means and what society tells us about restrictions and rules.
A children's book that also works for adults, this is a book with a strong message about what freedom really means and what society tells us about restrictions and rules.
July 25, 2017
IEP, perspectives-interactive read aloud for uos
February 8, 2018
I have a lot of questions left after reading this book. I may need to ponder it more, but still feel very iffy about it.
March 9, 2018
Kids wish for the freedom to express themselves and to go beyond boundaries set by adults.
December 9, 2018
A fascinating book for both kids and parents.
March 14, 2019
Wanted to love this more
Didn’t captivate audience
Illustrations are decent but sophomoric
Didn’t captivate audience
Illustrations are decent but sophomoric
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews