What are we reading in the Corner this December

The Box Full of Wonders written by Karl Newson and illustrated by Emily Hamilton

It was just a box.

Tatty.

And old.

The Box Full of Wonders written by Karl Newson and illustrated by Emily Hamilton (2023) is an exciting, whimsical picture book about the magic of a simple cardboard box and the power of imaginative play to bring families together.

The little boy at the heart of the story is moving house. He and his mum are going to live with her new partner and his two children. Everything they own is packed into boxes and unpacked in a new house where the boy isn’t even sure he wants to be, with a new family he isn’t even sure he likes. The boy feels overwhelmed by his feelings and all the change and takes refuge in a tatty, old packing box. Only, it isn’t just any old box. This box is full of wonders! Using the power of his imagination the cardboard box becomes a castle, an aeroplane, an iceberg, a tractor, a whale and even a pirate ship with a rascally octopus on the starboard bow.

At first the boy’s new siblings don’t really understand the game but, as the boy’s imagination changes the box again and again, his new siblings soon start to understand and all three children begin to play and imagine together, taking their first step to becoming a family.

The Box Full of Wonders is a lovely book about blending bi-racial families and the radical power of a simple cardboard box in the hands of an imaginative child. The illustrations are colourful and nostalgic, with lots of movement, collaged cardboard and newspaper. The new siblings are, at first, drawn in grey pencil, while the boy is bright and colourful but, by the time he convinces them that the box is full of wonders, his new siblings burst into colour and join him in the fun.

In The Corner, we are using this lovely book to encourage imaginative play with boxes and puppets! Last month young builders took over The Corner and created an entire cardboard town, and this school holidays the puppets are moving in. If you’re looking for something engaging to share with your children over the school holidays you can visit Puppet Town and make puppets and play with them in the cardboard creations from 9 December to 21 January at 10.00am to 12.30 daily.

If you can’t join us in The Corner these holidays, remember the best part about First 5 Forever learning activities is that they can be experienced at home. We all know the imaginative power of a simple cardboard box so why not try box play at home. Depending on the age of your child there are lots of options for games. Sit with your young one and ask them about the possibilities for the box. Is it… a whale? Is it a castle? What about a pirate ship? You might decide to play a game of pirates, or knights or whales swimming through the ocean, or you might grab some art supplies and decorate the box. Don’t forget to talk about what you are doing and why. You could even sing a song together as you decorate!

For more information about how you can support your baby’s health and wellbeing through reading and imaginative play, visit a Story, Rhyme or Play time at The Corner at the State Library of Queensland in 2024 or attend a First 5 Forever session at your own local library. 

And remember, you’re never too young to be a member of your local library – you can join baby up from birth and borrow The Box Full of Wonders written by Karl Newson and illustrated by Emily Hamilton to read and enjoy at home.

What else are we reading in The Corner?

The Man Who Loved Boxes by Stephen Micheal King (2021)

Boxitects by Kim Smith (2020)

What to do with a Box written by Jan Yolen and illustrated by Chris Sheban (2018)