The Magic Toy Box

A vivacious cast of creatures pops out of a mysterious toy box, such as a rabbit on a train and a spunky monkey, but Pongo cannot figure out exactly what he is and soon discovers that he is a one-of-a-kind original and, therefore, very special.

PreSchool-K-Magic phrases and toys combine in this tale whose plot hinges on a toy's search for an identity. All the other toys in the box know who and what they are, but Pongo has tusks like an elephant and a snout like a pig. The others turn to Teddy to answer the question, "What kind of animal is Pongo?" To Pongo, Teddy replies: "You are an elephant-pig...the only one." The soft-colored illustrations are at times overwhelmed by the white backgrounds and oversized text. Children will probably enjoy looking at the pictures and repeating the magic phrases sprinkled throughout (presto, abracadabra, alakazoo, hocus-pocus, shazam) more than the story itself.
Maura Bresnahan, Topsfield Town Library, MA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Ages 2^-4. When the lid is removed from a magical container, a collection of children's playthings appears, led by newcomer Pongo, a stuffed creature resembling a cross between an elephant and a pig. One by one, other toys emerge, including a rabbit on a train, a doll, Sailor Duck, a cymbal-playing monkey, a pirate, a pig, and an elephant on wheels. Each interacts with Pongo, but only the wisest nursery resident, Teddy, can successfully categorize Pongo as an elephant-pig. After a pleasant time, each toy marches back into the magic box to await the next playtime. Peppe's simple acrylic-and-pencil illustrations highlight only the toys, omitting backgrounds that might distract young listeners. The similarly unembellished text contains short sentences and familiar phrases in a straightforward narrative. An obvious choice for preschool story hours, this will also be welcomed by parents looking for read-alouds that toddlers will sit still for. Kay Weisman