Christina Katerina & the Box

Reach for this book when your child seems bored with their toys or when you want to encourage the type of deep, messy, imaginative play that transforms household recycling into a kingdom. It is a perfect antidote to overscheduled days and highly structured play, reminding children that the best adventures often come from the simplest materials. Christina Katerina receives a large refrigerator box and, over the course of several days, transforms it into a castle, a clubhouse, a racing car, and a floor of a mansion. Even as the box gets crushed and dirty, her imagination keeps it alive. This story celebrates the resilience of a child's vision and the sheer joy of creative independence. It is an ideal read for elementary aged children who are starting to assert their own ideas and might need a little inspiration to see the magic in the mundane.