Everyone knows the joke about a toddlers' favorite birthday present - the box the toy came in! Kids love to play with boxes, and there are several great picture books that fit the theme of boxes. For a craft, make "treasure boxes" from shoe boxes donated by a local shoe store.
BOOKS
Portis, Antoinette. NOT A BOX.
A bunny describes how a box can be more than just a box.
Foley, Greg. THANK YOU BEAR.
Bear finds the perfect gift for his friend the mouse.
Rau, Dana Meachen. A BOX CAN BE MANY THINGS.
In this easy reader, a brother and sister play with a large box they find in the garage.
Lillegard, Dee. SITTING IN MY BOX.
A box slowly fills with animals, when a flea jumps in thinking there is room for someone small like him. Available in a Big Book.
Roche, P.K. WEBSTER AND ARNOLD AND THE GIANT BOX.
Two friends imagine that a box can be several other things.
FINGERPLAY:
I HAD A LITTLE TURTLE
I had a little turtle and he lived in a box.
He swam in a puddle and climbed on the rocks.
He snapped at a mosquito,
He snapped at a flea,
He snapped at a minnow,
And he snapped at me!
He caught the mosquito,
He caught the flea,
He caught the minnow,
But he didn't catch me!
Penny Peck,
San Leandro Public Library
August 2009