Big Box Little Box

April 30, 2018
With its bold, retro-stylized images and easy-reader verse, this creation harkens to iconic picture books of decades past. It stars a gray cat with brilliant green eyes—a cat that loves, as most cats do, to play with boxes. Fortunately, the cat’s house is full of them. In a broad, cheerful spread, the cat hides behind an orange-and-pink-striped gift box, and a smaller box stands close by: “Big box/ Little box,” the verse begins. More are pictured: “HUGE box/ Tiny box/ Thin box/ Fat box.” The cat tries sitting on a box, which quickly collapses: “Cat box?/ Flat box.” It finds a small mouse, but instead of dispatching it according to feline custom, the cat makes friends. Hart’s (The Princess and the Peas) punchy, telegraphic text recalls One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, while stylish, vintage-y graphics by debut British illustrator Underwood have some of the flavor of mid-century ads. A handsome palette of lime, warm gray, and fuchsia, simple visual elements, and moments of humor create a visual excursion that explores shapes, actions, and sequences of events. Ages 3–6.

July 1, 2018

PreS-K-In this delightful British import, a curious gray cat investigates boxes of assorted colors and sizes. Believing as most cats do that all boxes are "cat box[es]," the indomitable feline gets in and out of a slew of containers, some to the consternation of its owner, until encountering a mysterious nibbled box. Peeking inside, the kitty discovers a little mouse. Naturally, the cat playfully pursues the mouse, but in the end, the unlikely new friends share a cozy cuddle in the cat's nap box. Pared-down graphic illustrations match the short but snappy text, both imbued with contagious energy of a frisky cat. VERDICT A lively lighthearted frolic that will have young audiences asking for it again and again in one-on-one readings or in storytime.-Yelena Voysey, formerly at Pickering Educational Library, Boston University

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2018
First published in Great Britain, this concept book from a seasoned author and debut illustrator follows a feline as it explores a variety of boxes. Size, color, and design are among the ideas contrasted through simple rhymes--a structure that will have youngsters participating enthusiastically as they become attuned. Hart and Underwood think outside the box for many of their choices, so there are surprises along the way. A lightweight cube presents itself as a pedestal or potential "Cat box?" Soon, however, it becomes a "Flat box" underneath the dazed creature. Later, the animal places each paw in a separate "Shoe box?" and looks quite silly while adding a pink "Hat box?" This ensemble leads to some "Slippy...Slidey" movement that places the protagonist next to a brown container with a tiny, nibbled hole; a lively chase ensues. The gray, green-eyed feline figure is easy to spot against the changing colors of the backgrounds, and there are enough textures and patterns to maintain visual interest throughout the simple narrative. The repetition of "box" and the clipped, mostly two-word phrases make this one that readers will have a hard time not chanting as they read aloud.Boxes, a cat-and-mouse romp, a concluding snuggle between "new friends"--toddler bliss. (Picture book. 1-4)

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