Birthday Box Book

"Refreshing. . . . A perfect birthday book for a toddler!"
— School Library Journal
(starred review)

What’s better than getting a brand-new toy as a birthday gift? Playing with the box it came in! Climb in for a flight across the ocean, a jaunt on a sailing ship, some sledding down a slippery slope, and a brief stint as a robot. Good thing the toy pup that came inside the box is happy to come along for the ride! Leslie Patricelli draws from the well of parental wit and wisdom for another adventure starring everyone’s favorite baby character.

Children's Literature

A toddler wearing a diaper and a birthday hat sings, "Happy birthday to me!" on the title page to start this book. Then the reader joins the toddler and shares his joy as he opens a birthday present from his grandmother. "It's a box. A big brown box!" In the tradition of most one-year-olds, the box is the greatest treasure. He stands on it, hugs it, and plays peek-a-boo before discovering the doggy inside. He instantly names the dog Oscar and includes him in his box adventures. In his imagination the box becomes an airplane, a sailing ship, and a sled. Then the boy wears the box and becomes a robot. He and Oscar enjoy eating birthday cake as they lean against the box. The boy places two pillows and a blanket in the box and they drift off to sleep, dreaming of the joys of having a box. Brightly colored cartoonlike illustrations add to the birthday fun. A good read aloud choice for preschoolers. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D.