By: Alice Mclerran Publisher: HarperTrophy Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: HarperTrophy Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 32 Publication Date: April 01, 2004 Reading Level: Ages 4-8 Release Date: April 13, 2004
Marian called it Roxaboxen. (She always knew the name of everything.) There across the road, it looked like any rocky hill -- nothing but sand and rocks, some old wooden boxes, cactus and greasewood and thorny ocotillo -- but it was a special place: a sparkling world of jeweled homes, streets edged with the whitest stones, and two ice cream shops. Come with us there, where all you need to gallop fast and free is a long stick and a soaring imagination.
In glowing desert hues, artist Barbara Cooney has caught the magic of Alice McLerran's treasured land of Roxaboxen -- a place that really was, and, once you've been there, always is.
Incredible encouragement for my kids to make-believe After reading this story of children having autonomy to create a world with what they had around them outdoors, my 7 year old son and 5 year old daughter, on their own initiative, went outside and started creating Roxaboxen in our backyard on a strip of dirt that seemed unusable. They spent about 4 hours creating their own Roxaboxen without fighting and really enjoyed themselves. They expanded it to suit their own interests and renamed it Roxaland. I borrowed this book from a library and now I'm going to buy it for sure. A real keeper that spurs on the imagination.
One of our FAVORITES! A celebration of the imagination! If you are building your home library, add to it with this treasure of a book! I cannot say enough about this book! We read and reread this one often! My youngest son is fascinated with it. He sometimes just sits on the couch gazing at the illustrations. We LOVE this one! * One thing that is really special and unique is that the events in this book really truly happened---to the author's mother! AND the illustrator, Barbara Cooney, actually made two trips to Arizona where Roxaboxen really existed. It was her toughest assignment yet---constructing a magical world out of something that wasnt there. She found a small tan hill dotted with stones and rocks, dessert plants and lots of broken glass. The spirit of Roxaboxen began to emerge! * Just last week, my boys had an idea-to go outside into our backyard and create our very own Roxaboxen! I created my home out of pinecones. My younger son began creating his home out of logs from the woodpile. My older son decided he wanted to outline his home with rocks! I say all this in hopes that it may inspire you to create a Roxaboxen with your children! *
A Favorite This book is a favorite at our house. It has inspired variations on outdoor pretend games. Barbara Cooney's illustrations are lovely. The kids love that it is based on a true story. It is a great example of kids who don't suffer from "nature deficit disorder".
Great book for all audiences! This book was absolutely fantastic. I read it to my 5 and 2 year old children, and they each sat through the entire story. In fact, once it was over they grabbed it from me to look at the pictures.
There was one thing I didn't like about the book, and it's only because it provokes a lot of questions from my 5 year old(has to do with the lizard). So, if your child has a tendency to ask lots of questions, you can skip that page. Otherwise, this is an excellent choice, and I'll read it again.
Wonderful I have loved this book since I was a little girl and I cannot wait to use it in my classroom! It really sparks children's imaginations!
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
