Also by Leslie Patricelli: Tickle Huggy Kissy Fa La La Tubby Higher! Higher! Yummy Yucky Quiet Loud The Birthday Box by Leslie Patricelli Baby-preschool 32 pages Candlewick March 2007 Hardcover     Everyone knows that the best part of a birthday present, especially the big ones, is the brown cardboard box that serves as the gift’s transient home. The little boy featured in The Birthday Box acts in accordance with this well-established truth, finding the greatest pleasure in his birthday present, a puppy - not from the fluffy animal sure to become his best friend, but from the box where the puppy was wrapped up with brightly colored paper and a bow. The little boy has a wonderful time climbing on, standing on, and hugging the empty package as if to welcome it into his life. From there, the young boy uses the box, along with the full support of his imagination, to explore the world. Once he properly accesses the carton’s infinite potential, he magically transforms it into an airplane, a sled, a robot, and a boat, which provide him with hours of enjoyment to fill his day. The Birthday Box is a simple, heart-warming story that suggests that the best things do not necessary come in little packages - just sturdy packages that a child can use to explore and play.   web reviews   Lori West/2007 for curled up with a good kid's book   For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews, visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)