One Magic Box

When one magic box falls from the sky, everyone is puzzled, including the four policemen who come to inspect it, the five big monsters who sit on it to see if it will hatch and the ten flying saucers that hover over it to take a peek.

Kindergarten-Grade 2--" One night, with no one in sight, a box fell from the sky." The bizarre counting adventure continues as this two-lock box is found by three socks, inspected by four policemen, until the box with "fifteen magic stars and magic locks" is found by its owner, Count Magic. The countdown from 15 back to 1 singular magic box then begins. Full-color illustrations are angular, surreal, and often shown from odd perspectives, somewhat reminiscent of the work of Henrick Drescher. The numeral that boldly appears on each page is also hidden within each illustration. Although not the typical counting book, this is likely to appeal to those with a slightly sophisticated sense of humor and adventure. --Maria B. Salvadore, District of Columbia Pub. Lib.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This new effort from the husband-and-wife creators of The Amazing Animal Alphabet Book begins when a magic box falls from the sky. The fancifully colored object generates a lot of interest--four policemen puzzle over it, along with seven lumberjacks, 10 flying saucers and 13 fat acrobats, to name a few. Finally, Count Magic appears, claims the box, and everyone hops inside until all that's left is . . . one magic box. The simple story line has a satisfying symmetry, and the Chouinards' deliciously warped visions--carried out in highly original illustrations full of skewed perspectives and oddly assorted creatures--are sublimely silly. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.