Chrissy Byers, The Magic in Boxes, Books by Chrissy Byers, Dec 2015, 52pp, $16.99 (hbk), ISBN 9780994368407
Printed using recycled materials , this book is in equal part story for younger reader and an ideas book for teachers and parents. This interesting idea of a book as a guide to imaginative play, features two young boys who explore the creation of an imagined world using everyday found objects.
Illustrations are a collaborative venture with inputs from graphic designers, artists, photographers and the author. Each page has clear and direct text to transform the mundane into the magic, which is depicted on the following page. So much rich visual input could have been further enhanced by a greater connection with reader and children and between the boys themselves. Perhaps girls may have rounded out the story a little more too.
Reviewed by Chris Dayman
17 Comments
I have a 2 year old son and we love The Magic in Boxes by Chrissy Byers. The illustrations are just beautiful and all done by the talented author. I am looking forward to seeing the next book by Chrissy Byers.
Amazing book.. whole family loved it!
I have purchased several copies of Chrissy Byers’s books and given them out several friends as gifts and there children absolutely love them! I myself have older children but one I will have grand children I will read my hard copy I have purchased! I have read this book to a friends child and they loved it especially the illustrations!! Purchase this book your child will love it!!
Wonderful book full of imagination with beautiful illustrations.
My family have really enjoyed reading this book. The story is engaging and filled with imaginative ideas for children and the pictures are beautiful. Chrissy has written and illustrated a wonderful children’s book.
My 2 year old loves this book. It has given boxes a new lease of life in our house!
My three children (2, 4 & almost 7) absolutely this book. It’s beautifully illustrated, has lovely rhyming language that is easy for the kids to understand, and overall is a joy to read. Given that this is Chrissy Byers’ first book, I applaud her for such a fantastic accomplishment!
*absolutely adore! Sorry typing too fast 😉
I am a kindy teacher, as well as a mother of 2 young boys. The Magic in Boxes, by Chrissy Byers, is one of my favourite kindy resources, as well as a favourite at home. The illustrations are beautiful, and the experiences depicted are relatable to anyone who’s ever used the magic of imagination to turn a box into a wonderful adventure. I would highly recommend this book to parents and teachers alike.
Amazing story for the imaginative mind of children. Story that is open to the mind of any child with access to a raft of recyclable items. A must to get children away from the need to be entertained only by the tv screen, A story well presented by the author.
I will acknowledge vested interest at the start: I know the author. Chrissy is solely responsible for the illustrations with design support from a fabulous graphic designer.
Every child to whom I’ve read this or from whom I’ve heard responses has loved it as have early childhood teachers. We even had a great play day at our place with kids from 4 to 11 years all creating amazing box magic, culminating in flattening a huge box and using it as a slide down the driveway. None of the girls seemed to mind that the book depicts boys : )
This book is wonderful bought one for each of my grandchildren they all enjoyed it very much and always ask for it to be read again and again!
This is really a wonderful book for both children and adults (also teenagers). The pictures in the book are truly beautiful and the words are lovely. The book reminds me of my childhood memories and the beautiful time in Australia 🙂
My daugther loves reading this book. The pictures are excellent. “Mummy, I want to write a book like this!”
We have purchased a copy of The Magic in Boxes. Its a great book by Chrissy Byers. My son absolutely loves the book he would recite the words “boxes big, boxes small, boxes short, boxes tall”.
Just loved it hun. I would like to have this book for my granddaughter.
Awesome book Lovely. So proud. My kids and Friends kids Love it so much. One of there favorite bedtime stories.