Roxaboxen (Paperback)

by Alice Mclerran (Author), Barbara Cooney (Illustrator) "Mariana called it Roxaboxen..." (more)
Key Phrases: Anna May, Main Street

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Striking artwork by a Caldecott Medalist complements an unusual ly evocative story about the imagi nary town created by Marian, her sisters and their friends. Ages 3-8.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3-- This treasure of a story is about magic--the ordinary magic that every child understands: imagination. It is also a story about a treasured place: a child's imaginary town named Roxaboxen. The rules are simple: you make them up as you go along according to the whim of the day or the personality of the residents. In Roxaboxen, "Marian was mayor, of course; that was just the way she was. Nobody minded." The rules don't even have to be consistent--as long as they make sense. Speeding was not allowed by car but "ah, if you had a horse, you could go as fast as the wind . . . All you needed for a horse was a stick and some kind of bridle." With a true child's voice, McLerran uses just the right phrase or word to make the town and its residents spring clearly off the page. Cooney's brightly colored illustrations done in her classic and recognizable style etch the town and its inhabitants indelibly on the page as well as in the mind's eye. Her soft, personable little figures give the town and its story just the right feeling. This book celebrates how children and their imaginations make fanciful things become magically real and make them last forever. Don't miss it. --Jane Marino, White Plains Pub. Lib., NY
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (April 13, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060526335
• ISBN-13: 978-0060526337
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #77,190 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #4 in	Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( C ) > Cooney, Barbara
  #40 in	Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Where We Live > Country Life

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Roxaboxen...a wonderful place to imagine!, May 12, 2001

By	Sallie Stephens "waterbugirl" (OHIO, United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Roxaboxen (Hardcover)

I love this book! It reminds me of summer, when mom had to beg us kids to come inside after a long day of imaginary play in our 'pine-tree village'. What fun we had creating homes, shops, schools, using rocks, pinecones and anything else we could find to make our little village like home. This book is so similar I could just eat it up! It tells the tale (a true one at that) of a group of children who create their own village with rocks and boxes (get it? Roxaboxen?). The thing I love about this book are the illustrations---simple, yet beautiful, and of course the wonderful story of how the children used their imagination and creativity to create a timeless adventure. In this day of gameboys and computer games, this book is a refreshing change of pace. My four year old loves this book as much as I do, and we can't wait to create our own Roxaboxen this summer. Buy this book for your kids...or yourself! You won't regret it!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Remember your childhood with this book, November 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Roxaboxen (Hardcover)

Roxaboxen will allow adults to relive their childhood experiences, while allowing chilren to expand their imagination. Children will realize that their imaginary friend or place is a wonderful memory.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful picture book geared towards adults, February 27, 2004

By	Jessica Ferguson "threelittlebirds" (Woodbury, NJ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Roxaboxen (Hardcover)

Roxaboxen is a lovely story about a childhood playground created by the author's mother, her mother's siblings and her mother's friends.

While children will enjoy the pictures and may get some great ideas for building their own Roxaboxen "town", adult readers are the ones who will truly treasure this story. Its sweet nostalgic look at childhood is a catalyst for our own stories and memories to return. Cooney's pictures are appropriate and enjoyable but subdued.

Overall, a nice memorial to the real Roxaboxen and its residents.