I really liked the basic premise of the story: children need to learn how to deal with their emotions, although it is easier said than done. Max's parents give him a magical box where he can put anything including his toys and his feelings. Unsurprisingly, the box keeps getting heavier and heavier, until it is too cumbersome to carry around. Eventually, Max comes up with an idea how to make the box lighter and he does it with the help of his friends and his parents. I really enjoyed the way the stark artwork of the first part of the book becomes lighter and rainbow-like at the end.
The book has a little afterword for parents and caregivers explaining that it is important to allow children recognise and express emotions, instead of suppressing them. It also lists a few ways in which adults can help little ones manage their feelings. When I first read this book, I was a bit perplexed about why both physical objects and feelings went into Max’s box. Not only that, but also it was just his negative feelings. Of course, children find it difficult to understand what their emotions are and why they have them, they can easily get overwhelmed by the physical reaction that is a part of any strong emotion. Still, I believe you should talk to your child about their positive feelings too, which also need to be expressed and acknowledged. Overall, the book is original and deals with an important topic in an interesting way. Thank you to NetGalley and Schiffer Publishing Ltd for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion. Title: Max's box Authors: Brian Wray, Shiloh Penfield (illustrator) Publisher: Schiffer Publishing Ltd Expected publication date: 28 September 2019 |
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