Not a Box

Lol!

Oh my box! this is the most funnist book

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

not bad

You know how young children will sometimes receive a super amazing fantastic gift and proceed to derive much more enjoyment from the cardboard box the gift came in? Well, according to Antoinette Portis' 2006 book Not a Box, young rabbits do that to. (So do cats, but that is neither here nor there.)

There are a lot of reasons I enjoy this book, the first of which is because of its design. The book looks like a box (even though it's not). The cover is made of brown-cardboard-feeling paper. The weight (11.5 ounces) is clearly marked on the front, while the back notes which side is up. The cardboard theme understandably continues in the book's interior.

The structure is the same throughout, so I'm just going to go through the first one:

Brown lefthand page reading: "Why are you sitting in a box?"

Righthand page: black and white drawing of a young rabbit sitting in a box.

Turn the page.

Red lefthand page: "It's not a box."

Righthand page: color (red, black, yellow and white) illustration of the young rabbit driving a race car.

The same scenario is repeated several times until the clever ending.

At first I had thought that this book would be a hard sell for a read-aloud because, well, there isn't a lot to read. However, after discussing the book with "Tori" I came to a different conclusion. Tori suggested that the book would work better in a more non-traditional storytime where the kids get in on the act. Ask the kids what they see in each picture, let them describe the story. If the children are older, you could also ask them to find the "original" box in each of the rabbits imagined scenarios.

The book would also work well in a one-on-one reading between parents and their own children, which is the scenario I had initially imagined for this book. I like the story because it's simple with nice drawings that children can clearly interpret thanks to the thick lines and limited palette. Also, since most children do enjoy a good cardboard box, it's likely that they'll be intrigued by the rabbit's scenarios and perhaps find ideas for their own playtime.

I'm not the only one that enjoyed this book. In 2007, Not a Box was selected as a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book. The award was established in 2006 for the author and illustrator who annually make "the most distinguished contribution to beginning reader books."

The fun continues in with a piglet in Not a Stick.

Kinda lost on Toddler

Book is a bit bland and abstract for our 2 year old. We figured since it was a board book the subject would be interesting to children. Perhaps later in the year.

A wonderful book!

This is an excellent book for young children. All children love boxes and it sparks their imagination on so many levels.

Lol

Lol funny

Adorable

It is so good!!!!! I have read it sixteen times!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?BUENO! ?Me tengo leer 16 tiempo! ?-? :P

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Cute Bunny. by NOVA

coming ftom a boy that sounded wierd. Well that bunny is cute. I recemond for older or younger kids.

not a box

well i have not yet read it but i think it is AWEZOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

bbbb

boooooo

GREAT Book

i absoulutly loved it

Great story to read again and again

It's not a box is a great story to challenge children to really "think outside the box" and is great for those full of imagination. If you or a little kid you know has pointed out that their mashed potatoes look like mountains and that broccoli is just a little tree, your kid will like this. It's fun book to read again and again too to practice having kids make predictions and to fill in the blank as you read slowly. This book will also encourage imaginative play for children because it gives them ideas as to what they can do with simple objects around the house.

One of my new favorite children's books ever

From the cover and paper choice to the adorable illustrations and perfectly chosen text, this book wins top honors from me.

Great book for kids!

My five year old loves this book!

It's definitely Out of the Box!

The kids LOVE it! The concept is interesting and it sparks a lot of discussino with my 2 & 3 yr olds. They want to to read it over and over and tell me what the box is this time!

One of our favorites

It captures that imaginary play that all our kids engage in. Simply illustrated with creative ideas.

a wonderful jumping off point

This is a very simple book from outward appearances. However, I see this book as a way to begin a writing assignment or to spark creative thoughts.

A reviewer

I bought this book for all my nieces and nephews and hope that this holiday season when they tire of their presents, they use the power of imagination and their empty gift boxes to transport themselves to wherever their fancy takes them. A wonderful book!

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