
With my older 2 daughters, the "Something you read" portion of our
present poem is easy. There is always a series or popular book they are into at any given time. My youngest, however, can't read so it's left to me to decide what she might enjoy. I read several picture books before deciding on
The Birthday Box
.

It is the story of a little boy who receives a present. After unwrapping the gift, he discovers a big box and becomes excited by the possibilities. Inside the box, is his real gift, of course—a puppy dog. The boy and the puppy play in the box all day long. At bedtime, he climbs into his box, talking about his lucky day. "Today is my birthday, and I got a box."

Not only is the story cute (and entirely accurate), but it opens up enormous possiblities. I decided to give Lorelai this book for
her birthday, along with a box from our garage. My hope was that it would entertain her for the afternoon until her sisters returned from school to celebrate with her. She played in the box, watched television in the box and read her new book in the box. She has colored the box, filled the box with books & toys and used the box to hide. Her box has been a table, a boat, a house and a bus.

It has provided hours of entertainment, for days longer than I had anticipated. I know parents all over the world joke about kids enjoying the box more than the gifts themselves, but—seriously—this book provides a real opportunity to give a box as a present. She really didn't need anything more. However, she did receive 2 other items that day (and more at her party later in the week). Still, do you know what she told her grandparents all about when they called to wish her a happy birthday? Yep, the box!
The Birthday Box
comes in hardcover, paperback and board book versions, with a stated age range of 1-3. My daughter is 4 and loves the single sentence pages and simplistic illustrations. I love the creativity it sparks. (Not to mention how much money you could save simply by wrapping a giant box and the book.) I would say this book is a good fit all the way up to age 5. Of course, my almost 7-year-old has been playing in the box right along side her little sister. Kids are just full of surprises.
Now that her party is behind us, it's time to box up all her "baby toys" to make room for the rest of her gifts. I just don't think she'll let us use
this box!