For a child, something as simple as a cardboard box can be the key to hours of imaginative play. That is the case for a boy named Sam in D’artagnan’s exciting picture book for young kids. At the start of the story, Sam shows off his spaceship, proudly declaring, “I have a secret that totally rocks. I own a spaceship! It’s a cardboard box.” (D’artagnan’s richly evocative illustrations fittingly puts the box under a literal spotlight.) After Sam climbs inside and prepares for takeoff, his dad knocks at the door and asks if he can join. Sam says no because he believes his dad lacks imagination. “If my dad tried to fly, he would surely crash,” Sam laments. “When he sees my box, he only sees trash.”When his dad leaves, Sam travels to space alone and gets caught up in a rocket race with a group of aliens, which goes well until his spaceship starts to run out of gas. Feeling suddenly afraid, Sam realizes he needs a copilot and calls for his dad, who runs to the rescue and zooms Sam all over the house. This story’s touching message about the importance of parents and kids creating connections through play will resonate with readers of all ages, while the playful, rhyming prose will help keep kids engaged.
Characterized by expressive linework that emphasizes both the joyously human and the thrill of space adventures, the colorful, distinctive art is a highlight throughout, showing a spiky-haired Sam inhabiting a world that feels immersive and fully realized. Sam is shown grinning while steering his red-and-white rocket through his messy room and into the depths of space, where he visits a desolate planet pockmarked with craters. The best part is the juxtaposition of scenes showing Sam and his dad standing in their home with a box covering their heads and them soaring together through the cosmos. Ultimately this delightful story will entice families to have their own imaginary adventures.
Takeaway: This cosmic pleasure of a book finds a boy and his dad discovering adventure in a box.
Comparable Titles: Brad Montague’s The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination, Emily Winfield Martin’s Day Dreamers.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
