THE LITTLE BOX

A mysterious box brings out the best in people.

Mariana nervously walks to her new classroom with Papa. To calm her, Papa gives Mariana a small pink box but warns that she not open it until she must: if she’s “sad, scared, or worried.” Almost immediately, Mariana opens the box and feels a rush of air and a sensation like a kiss; readers see collaged floral designs floating around Mariana. She feels better, but an unfriendly classmate sends her to the box again. This time, something “like a warm hug” emerges. When Mariana creates artwork that garners admiration, she realizes her spirits have lifted without the box. At recess, the mean student falls, so Mariana opens the box to share its power with him. It’s left up to readers’ imaginations what’s inside the box—or whether there’s anything inside at all. Is it really magical, or is Mariana’s own agency at work? The happy ending is pat and predictable and doesn’t answer the questions. Illustrations are colorful, lively, and expressive; readers will appreciate the fanciful images that fly from the box. Characters’ names suggest a possible Hispanic setting, and print elements in the collage are in Spanish. Mariana and Papa have olive skin and dark hair; other characters have diverse skin tones and hair colors.

This is well-meaning whimsy, but it’s unlikely to truly engage children.