A back-to-basics approach to play, bonding, and child development, reminiscent of simpler times, based on the premise that a child will choose to play with the box instead of the toy. Each of the stories is a proverbial box opened up by way of a fathers experience with his young children, presented with home-spun psychology, old-fashioned ideals, and humor.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"...Bowlby has produced a winner. Mothers should expect to hand this book down to their daughters when they get married... -- John Williams, Staff Columnist, Lakeside Ledger
"A labor of love if I ever saw one. I love the art, typefaces, design, text, and the cover." -- Cindy Kennett, Editor, Houghton Mifflin
"Author Rex Bowlby presents each account with old-fashioned ideals, and home-spun humor." -- Hillside Happenings, Terrinye Goetz, April 2000
"I love your book! I can't wait to do some of the activities with my girls." -- Carol Sadler, CHADD
"It is a powerful book that focuses on the restructuring and rebuilding of family. A book that strikes you; when I received it I knew I had to read it." -- Cliff Chandler, Host: Art With a Capital A (WGNM TV UPN-64 Macon)
"It is a powerful book with a spiritual quality that focuses on the restructuring and rebuilding of family.When I received it, I knew I had to read it." -- Cliff Chandler, Host of, Art: With a Capital A WGNM TV UPN-64
"This book blends home-spun psychology with old-fashioned ideals of communication and bonding between parents and children." -- Bobbie Christmas, Editor, Zebra Communications
"This book reminds parents to turn the focus from buying so much for their children..." -- Twins Magazine Feature
"With his experience at parenting and background in psychology, Rex’s book has 101 neat ideas to help you think outside the box." -- Heather Thompson, Family Reporter WGCL TV CBS-46
"Your book reminds me when I was a child and my Dad would retrieve refrigerator boxes...to make houses and mazes." -- Cheryl Seguin, Elementary School Teacher
"A labor of love if I ever saw one. I love the art, typefaces, design, text, and the cover." -- Cindy Kennett, Editor, Houghton Mifflin
"Author Rex Bowlby presents each account with old-fashioned ideals, and home-spun humor." -- Hillside Happenings, Terrinye Goetz, April 2000
"I love your book! I can't wait to do some of the activities with my girls." -- Carol Sadler, CHADD
"It is a powerful book that focuses on the restructuring and rebuilding of family. A book that strikes you; when I received it I knew I had to read it." -- Cliff Chandler, Host: Art With a Capital A (WGNM TV UPN-64 Macon)
"It is a powerful book with a spiritual quality that focuses on the restructuring and rebuilding of family.When I received it, I knew I had to read it." -- Cliff Chandler, Host of, Art: With a Capital A WGNM TV UPN-64
"This book blends home-spun psychology with old-fashioned ideals of communication and bonding between parents and children." -- Bobbie Christmas, Editor, Zebra Communications
"This book reminds parents to turn the focus from buying so much for their children..." -- Twins Magazine Feature
"With his experience at parenting and background in psychology, Rex’s book has 101 neat ideas to help you think outside the box." -- Heather Thompson, Family Reporter WGCL TV CBS-46
"Your book reminds me when I was a child and my Dad would retrieve refrigerator boxes...to make houses and mazes." -- Cheryl Seguin, Elementary School Teacher
From the Back Cover
Should we question the behavior of a child who chooses to play with the box instead of the toy? The answer lies in the following question: Wouldn't Mother Nature have programmed our children for success?
WHY WOULD I WANT THE TOY, WHEN I CAN HAVE THE BOX? captures the significance of your children's behavior and demonstrates the positive byproducts of cost-free activities and family bonding, plus the child development that results. Each of the 101 stories is a proverbial box "opened up" by way of a father's experience with his young children, presented with home-spun psychology, old-fashioned ideals, and humor.
WHY WOULD I WANT THE TOY, WHEN I CAN HAVE THE BOX? provides a unique and refreshing back-to-basics approach reminiscent of simpler times, when society's complex influences and high technology weren't predominate. Today these factors serve to mask and bury the important fundamentals of life. After reading this book every parent will come away with a new perspective and a renewed spirit for parenting.
WHY WOULD I WANT THE TOY, WHEN I CAN HAVE THE BOX? is not a telling book, but a showing book; not a scientific book, but an artistic book. It is not a book wholly from an adult's point of view, but a book equally from a child's perspective. It is not an intellectual book that merely "plays well" on paper, but a practical book that plays well in real life. Finally, it is not a book of prose from the brain of a scholar, but a collection of anecdotes from the heart of a father.
* In the book you will discover HOW:
- A box of scrap wood can be a great ally when you want to get things done.
- A car parking aid doubles as a multi-purpose sports device in the garage.
- A can of shaving cream fosters creativity and defuses tension.
* In the book you will discover WHY:
- Dishwashers are a step backward.
- Baking is more than just a lesson in home economics.
- Paper and pencil will someday be a new discovery.
* In the book's chapters, representing the 13 categories of development, you will discover HOW:
- Contributing to chores will help children acquire self-confidence.
- Executing physical challenges will help children obtain coordination.
- Playing make-believe will help children develop imagination.
We have only one chance to parent our children, so let us make the most of it; life is not a dress rehearsal. Take this book home, and in time, it will become creased, dog-eared, and jelly-stained, indicative that you and your family have discovered many of your own boxes. Then, on the next gift-giving occasion, when your children open a toy and look at you with confused expressions, you'll know it isn't because they don't know what the toy is or does, but because they are trying to tell you: Why would I want the toy when I can have the box?
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Novel, original, highly effective -- budget & kid friendly.,
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Why Would I Want the Toy, When I Can Have the Box? (101 Ways To Make the Most of Your Children, With the Least From Your Wallet) (Paperback)
In Why Would I Want The Toy, When I Can Have The Box?: 101 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Children, With The Least From Your Wallet, Rex Bowlby shows how a scrap of wood can be a great ally when a parent wants to get things done with their children, that a car parking aid can double as a multi-purpose sports device in the garage, and a can of shaving cream can foster creativity and defuse tension. There are thirteen chapters of development in which parents are shown that contributing to chores helps children acquire self-confidence, that executing physical challenges helps children obtain coordination, and that playing make-believe helps children develop imagination. Why Would I Want The Toy, When I Can Have The Box? is a novel, original, highly effective approach to parenting and offers a wealth of budget and "kid friendly" tips, tricks & techniques.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent Resource,
By
This review is from: Why Would I Want the Toy, When I Can Have the Box? (101 Ways To Make the Most of Your Children, With the Least From Your Wallet) (Paperback)
We received this book as a gift only yesterday, and have already devoured it (even though our child is only 5 months old). We loved it so much we plan to give it as a gift to everyone we know with children. Mr. Bowlby not only writes an excellent "cookbook" for spending quality time with your child without high dollar cost, but also incorporates humor and emotion (you should have seen my wife's tears as she read about such wonderful topics as "Friday night sleeping bag father-son sleep togethers"!). The book is organized into well thought-out categories and makes for very easy and enjoyable reading.Parents will walk away with simple and fun ways to demonstrate to their child love comes from the heart, not the wallet. Don't miss this one!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Grandpa's Opinion,
By
This review is from: Why Would I Want the Toy, When I Can Have the Box? (101 Ways To Make the Most of Your Children, With the Least From Your Wallet) (Paperback)
As the father of two daughters, three granddaughters, two grandsons, two great-granddaughters and one great grandson...I truly could have used this book forty years ago!This well researched, conveniently organized and extremely readable handbook should fill the need of todays young parents for sensible and practical help. A great gift for many occasions!
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