The Big Brown Box
PreSchool-Grade 3-Sam's favorite toy is a big cardboard box that he imaginatively turns into a house, a cave, and a boat. His little brother Ben wants to join in the fun but his pleas of "Me too" are flatly refused: "You are the big bad wolf.-Leave my house alone!" "You are a scary, hairy bear, and bears don't belong in my cave." "You are a vicious silver shark, and you will eat me if I let you in." When Mama finds a smaller box for Ben, Sam has a new idea and the two brothers become astronauts, each in his own spaceship. The well-paced, child-centered text is complemented by Russo's trademark two-dimensional gouache illustrations that realistically capture the creative play of children. Young readers will relate to the sibling conflict and the resolution warmly encourages cooperation. A lovely addition to all collections.Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, CanadaCopyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.