Book Review: Not a Box, by Antoinette Portis
My brothers and I never knew how much fun refrigerator boxes could be until we had one in our den, courtesy of the new side-by-side Kenmore. We spent afternoons playing in that box, on that box, with that box—insert prepositional phrase of your choice here—until our games ultimately destroyed it. Sure, we had plenty of other playthings, but this box was a chameleon for our imaginations: it could be whatever we wanted it to be. It was one of the greatest pleasures of that childhood summer.
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Fast-forward to one pre-motherhood afternoon, back when I had loads of spare time (remember that?) that I spent browsing leisurely through local bookshops. I came across a book that actually looked and felt like a small box, complete with a heavy cover, net weight, and “this side up” printed with arrows alongside. Call me superficial, but I was sold on the packaging. Luckily, the story contained inside the “box” is brilliant, and judging a book by its cover proved to be a win.
Not a Box, by Antoinette Portis (Harper Collins, 2006), re-creates the atmosphere of early childhood’s sweetest time: playing pretend. The author relates a familiar conversation between grown-ups and children: what are you doing with that box? Here, the narrator questions a rabbit who continues to insist that it’s “not a box.” Bright yellow, red, and black crayon-marked illustrations that look like they came straight from the rabbit’s own mind reveal the ways he uses the box to play make-believe. Not only does Portis connect to the memories of the adult reader as well as the “children everywhere sitting in boxes” (to whom the book is dedicated), she conveys how important it is to celebrate the use of the imagination through pretend play.
Pretend play is just one of the ways children learn, and one vital to their cognitive development, according to Dr. Doris Bergen of Miami University. High-quality pretend play does more than just entertain children; it allows them to develop creativity in problem-solving, self-expression, and imagination. When your little one plays make-believe, she’s role-playing social and emotional roles. You’ll be surprised at the words and phrases they say—ones that you had no idea they knew. By playing out stories, your child establishes new language skills that help build literacy later on.
A great way to incorporate more pretend play in your home is to grab a box and make it your own not-a-box. You could just give your toddler the box, let him have at it, and see what happens, just like the rabbit in the story. If you’re feeling inspired (and possibly crafty), you can turn the carton into something a bit more sophisticated for playing pretend without even peeking at Pinterest:
- Fashion a wagon ride for stuffed animals by making holes and fastening strong yarn to the box.
- Stick a toddler-sized chair in the box, give your child a lid to use as a steering wheel, and she’s off on a road trip.
- Grab scissors, cut out some square-shaped holes from the box, and you’ve made your little one’s favorite playhouse.
- Kick pretend cooking up a notch by making a stove—just take a Sharpie and draw a few knobs and burners.
- Make a sink: cut a hole out of one end of the box and pop a child-friendly mixing bowl inside.
Or, you can try out my husband’s personal favorite: make a magical cave.
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Whether you play with your own oversized box from a new fridge purchase or not, read Not a Box with your child and enjoy some playtime. Not only will you have a great time bonding and playing with your child, you’ll be helping them grow, learn, and develop without even realizing it—and making a great memory in the meantime.
*This post was contributed by guest blogger Charlotte A. F. Farley
For more information:
Bergen, Doris (2002). The Role of Pretende Play in Children’s Cognitive Development. Early Childhood Research & Practice (ECRP). Retrieved April 9, 2013 from http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v4n1/bergen.html.
Scholastic. The Importance of Pretend Play. Scholastic: Parents. Retrieved April 9, 2013, from http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/creativity-play/importance-pretend-play.
Playful Bee
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