The Big Brown Box

The Big Brown Box is the first of three books we've read by Marisabina Russo, a prolific writer/illustrator who has a knack for presenting simple, engaging stories that are designed to teach a worthwhile lesson of some sort. In this book, a boy named Sam tries to exclude his baby brother from his playtime inside a big discarded box. One thing leads to another, and by the end little brother Ben has joined in the fun too. In Mama Talks Too Much, a little girl's patience is tried as, enroute to the store, she and her mother keep running into neighborhood acquaintances who engage them in conversation. By the end, Celeste finds her own reason to dilly-dally and realizes the virtue of patience on everyone's part. In Under the Table, a girl spends hours with her toys in her favorite spot under the dining room table, and one day gets carried away drawing with her crayons on the underside, a place only she can see until the fateful day when her parents decide to move some furniture. She learns the obvious lesson when her mom and dad confront her, but it's handled in an understanding way that kids will appreciate. Our son was especially intrigued by the little girl's deviance in coloring on the table, knowing as almost any child would that it's a no-no, but he also liked the parents' considerate response to the situation. The author's seeming goal of encouraging dialogue and understanding between kids and parents was achieved, and for that this book was appreciated in our household.