What's in the Box?

by Isabel Otter, Joaquin Camp (Illustrator)

Overview

This interactive book, which features tactile, inviting textures and plenty of lift-the-flaps throughout, invites readers to use the clues to guess what is inside each box.

In this interactive, engaging book, rhyming text and spirited illustrations invite readers to try to guess what object is hiding inside the box on each spread. Children are given clues as to the identity of the objects inside the boxes, which are decorated differently. Readers open one box that is hot and has smoke and flames pouring out of the holes; another that is wiggling around; one that is noisy; and another that is wrapped up with ribbons and a bow. Features tactile textures and lift-the-flaps throughout.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781680106831
Publisher:	Tiger Tales.
Publication date:	09/14/2021
Pages:	12
Product dimensions:	8.56(w) x 8.56(h) x 0.83(d)
Lexile:	AD510L (what's this?)
Age Range:	2 - 5 Years

About the Author

Isabel Otter is a children's book editor and writer. She grew up in rural Herefordshire and spent much of her childhood in trees. Isabel loves weaving stories and writing about the world around her. She currently lives in London.

Joaquín Camp is an Illustrator and Graphic Designer, who is a graduate of the University of Buenos Aires. Currently Joaquín teaches workshops on children's illustration in Moebius space. He is also the co-founder of Coquín, a venture dedicated to the creation of self-irrigation pots and with the goal to bring green space to small places.

Editorial Reviews

2021-08-31
Large flaps and tactile elements enliven this guessing-game board book.

The organizing premise of this novelty book is the ubiquitous pile of delivery boxes found almost daily on many a porch. Those in this book have tactile elements poking out to hint at what’s inside. Rhyming text on the left poses a question about each box’s contents. Sturdy flaps on the opposite page reveal the rhyming answer and a fantasy character that’s probably recognizable to even young children. Labels on the depicted box and in the illustrations also contain clues. Three flaps are almost as large as the page; two are split, requiring two hands to open. The rhymes are clever, but the wordplay and sophisticated language seem designed to engage adult readers rather than delight toddlers. For example, a label on one box reads, “HANDLE WITH SCARE.” Older preschoolers will easily guess the answers and be ready to move on quickly. Disappointingly, the fuzzy pink blob poking through the cutout on the front cover has no obvious relation to the contents of any of the five boxes in the slight story. Librarians and booksellers will appreciate what’s under the final flap: “A BOOK! Their stories bring us smiles and fun— / the magic of reading for everyone!”

Like much of what’s in real delivery boxes, this is ephemeral—fun for a minute but not essential. (Novelty board book. 2-4)

Kirkus Reviews