Little Boy

March 24, 2008
Watching his tousled-haired son navigate a typical day, a father wistfully reflects on boyhood's pleasures—especially the endless possibilities presented by a big cardboard box. McGhee (previously paired with Reynolds for Someday
) uses William Carlos Williams's “The Red Wheelbarrow” as a jumping-off point for the hand-lettered text: “Little boy, so much depends on…/ your starship pajamas,/ that story about llamas,/ the way you don't worry,/ the way you won't hurry,/ and… your big cardboard box.” Keeping props to a minimum in his watercolor-and-ink vignettes, Reynolds portrays the young hero at full kid throttle. Confident, independent and inexhaustible, the boy turns the cardboard box into a pirate ship, a stepladder, a spaceman's costume and a crash pad. In short, he's the very definition of Everyboy—if the computer or TV set had never been invented. Those absences suggest that the book's appeal is a nostalgic one—and that the most appreciative audience may be former boys like Dad himself. All ages.

June 1, 2008
PreS-Gr 2-The duo that created "Someday" (S & S, 2006), a picture book celebrating a mother's affection and hopes for her daughter, now presents the reflections of a father about his young son. Once again, there is ample white space around the charming pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations. The artwork bursts with energy as the boy engages in all sorts of activities, such as playing with a truck, romping with the dog, and browsing through books. The straightforward text, written from the dad's perspective, recounts the simple things that are important to his child: "Little boy, so much depends on]a puddle to jump, /sand to dump, /truck down the hall, /pencil lines that mark how tall." A repeated refrain shows the youngster finding numerous fun uses for his "big cardboard box." This title may also resonate most with adults, though it has more child appeal than "Someday.""Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2008
Inspired by the William Carlos Williams poem often referred to as "The Red Wagon," McGhees picture-book text begins "Little boy, so much depends upon . . . / your yellow cup, / a serenade to wake you up, /sun that slants across the rug, / the wings on that astonishing bug, / and . . . / your big cardboard box." The next four stanzas follow the same pattern and end with the same five words, while the poem concludes with "Little boy, you remind me how / so much depends on days made of now." The hovering sentiment crystallized in final words will appeal to adults much more than to children. Still, the verses read aloud well and use vivid, concrete words. Reynolds, who illustrated The Dot (2003) as well as McGhees Someday (2007), contributes a series of pictures that follow an active, imaginative preschooler from morning to night. The sensitive ink drawings, brightened with watercolors and surrounded by plenty of white space, will beguile children and grown-ups alike.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)