Did you or your children ever use a big box for make-belive play when you or they were young? If you are like me, this was a favorite activity as a child and as a parent. If so, you will find this book a delightful invitation to return to those magical moments.

Researchers constantly find that reading to children is valuable in a variety of ways, not least of which are instilling a love of reading and improved reading skills. With better parent-child bonding from reading, your child will also be more emotionally secure and able to relate better to others. Intellectual performance will expand as well. Spending time together watching television fails as a substitute.

To help other parents apply this advice, as a parent of four I consulted an expert, our youngest child, and asked her to share with me her favorite books that were read to her as a young child. Webster and Arnold and the Giant Box was one of her picks.

Webster and Arnold are brother mice. Arnold is the older of the two. One day they discover a giant abandoned box. Immediately, they begin imagining it is a cave protecting them from dinosaurs. Soon, they invent many more games. The only problem is . . . Arnold wants to hog all the glory. How will they work it out so they can both have fun?

The book is aimed at about the second grade reader (possibly a little higher), but the story is one that will appeal to children from the age of two on. The subplot of sibling rivalry brings up a good opportunity for a parent to discuss how such things should be handled. By reading this book to your older child, your younger one may be in for a much easier time as a result.

The illustrations are particularly charming and attractive, inviting one to be curious about what is going on. The illustration style evokes that of the Pooh stories.

After you have enjoyed this delightful book, I suggest that you think of more ways that you and your child can turn everyday objects into imaginary vehicles for adventure. Overcome your adult misconceptions that everything has only one purpose!

Seize the opportunity wherever you find it!