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Summary: A different approach to discussing freedom
Review: This is a wonderful story for both children and adults. It tells of three children that get into trouble in the adult world and are placed in a big brown box. The children are simply displaying typical childish actions, yet are misunderstood by their parents. Very authentic for children to understand.I have shared this book in my fourth grade classroom for the past three years. Each time I share it the students seem to understand the message and what it means to them in their own way. Although some think that this story is inappropriate for children I feel that it is wonderful for all ages. Don't underestimate what children can understand and take away from good literature. This can be a great piece of literature to use to discuss the idea of freedom with children.
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Summary: Good subject, but....
Review: This is certainly a big eye-opener for any adult dealing with children. Although the authority figure sets the rules (or administers them), keep in mind that children need their freedom to be kids. I was not at all surprised to see that Toni Morrison tackled such a wonderful issue -- allowing children to be children, rather than requiring them to be small adults. We (parents) ask children to conform to our hectic schedules, rush around without complaint while we run our errands, and do everything we ask them to do. Children need some freedom to make some of their own decisions, and to have some time to just be silly. How else will they grow to be competent, decision-making adults later in life? Unfortunately, this was not exactly what I would expect from such a wonderful writer as Toni Morrison. The story was strangely written, and repetitive in a way that only detracted from the story. My kids were not thrilled with the text or the illustrations. It did spark some conversation, which is good, but they aren't really going to read it again and again as I had hoped.
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Summary: An enlightening story about behavior and freedoms.
Review: Three children have been banished to a big brown box where their parents visit them on Wednesdays. They have many wonderful "things" and favorite foods that all children are supposed to love. The children are in the box because they could not handle their freedoms: bad in school, at the apartment, and in nature. Each child gives a viable argument of what they do to help out their families and behave, but the bad outweighs the good and the adults win-- in the box they go. This is a wonderful story about freedoms, behavior, consequences and taking things for granted. This book would be especially useful as a supplemental text to share in a middle school/high school classroom setting.
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Summary: Respect the children!
Review: Toni Morrison wrote this book because when her son was young, a teacher told him he couldn't handle freedom. This book shows what happens when children aren't given respect and freedom.
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Summary: The Big Box. . .A Must Read!
Review: Toni Morrison's The Big Box is a wonderful book with all the elements necessary to make it a classic. Although one would think that this book should be in the adult book section instead of the children's section, I would certainly read this book to children between the ages of 10-18. I think that reading it to a class could lead to some very enlightening conversation, and it would also make a great additional read for any high school psychology class. The lovely illustations and the rhyming text make this an easy book to read even though it deals with such a heavy topic. Every parent, social worker and educator should have a copy of this book to refer to so that they will never be tempted to put any child into a big box.
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