MY BOOK BOX

Conceived to kick off a library’s summer reading campaign, this relentlessly purposeful outing presents a toddler-like elephant and frog duo demonstrating uses for an understandably rumpled-looking cardboard box. After wearing it, hiding in it and trying it out as storage for pizza, pasta and dirty socks, the two settle on using it to carry books—from breakfast table to bathroom to bedtime, with other stops along the way. The text, running to a single phrase or sentence per page in large type, is placed over stylized scenes composed of very simple visual elements. Not the most practical (not to mention sanitary) way of carrying books about, but still a doable crafts project, even for younger children, and a charming salute to books as an option for adventure and recreation. General instructions appended. (Picture book. 5-8)