The ultra fun book boxes my library is doing!
Recently, our library sent out an email about their new Book Boxes.
They said, “Book Boxes are designed for children ages 9-12. Each kit includes a library book to check out and envelopes with themed goodies to open as you read. Reading is its own reward, but sometimes it’s nice to get a little treat as well. Put a book box on hold and give it a try!”
Well, that was enough for me! I instantly put one on hold and my kids were absolutely delighted by it.
The library is currently doing two book boxes – one is for the book Holes and one is for The Goose Girl. The library has 15 of each and you get to keep all the prizes. You just return the book when you’re done, they restock it with the envelopes/prizes, and
(By the way – the library is calling them boxes, but they’re actually in these hanging zipper bags).
I shared this on Instagram and so many people said they’d love to do this in their own libraries, for their kids or in their classrooms!
Here is what was included with Holes!
Envelope #1 was labeled to be opened on Page 33 and included a little card that said: “I used to think you were a good-for-nothing book reader.” This bookmark is for you, you good-for-nothing book reader! and, as you might have guessed, included a bookmark.
Envelope #2 was to be opened on page 81 with a card that said: “After his shower, he put his dirty clothes in his crate and got out his box of stationary.” You can use these items to write a letter, or teach someone to read and write! Inside was a tiny notebook and pencil.
Envelope #3 was to be opened on page 101 and the card said: “A special prize was given every year to Miss Katherine Barlow for her fabulous spiced peaches. No one else even tried to make spiced peaches, because they knew none could be as delicious as hers.” This treat might not be quite as delicious as Miss Katherine Barlow’s spiced peaches, but we still hope you’ll like it. This was packaged with a little bag of peach ring candy.
Envelope #4 was to be opened on page 123 with a card that read: “A lizard leaped toward them. Kate could see its big red eyes.” Luckily this toy is significantly less poisonous than a yellow-spotted lizard, plus it glows in the dark! It had a little glow in the dark lizard like this.
Envelope #5 was actually a brown paper lunch sack to be opened on page 160 and the card read: “They put four of the unbroken jars in the burlap sack, in case they might be able to use them.” This bag is a blank canvas for you to decorate. Use permanent markers, paint, ribbon, buttons or whatever else you would like to make it your own!
Envelope #6 was the final one and was to opened on page 194. The card said: “I had a stuffed animal, a little giraffe, and I’d hug it the whole time she was gone.” Here’s an animal sticker to keep you company, just like Jaffy did for Zero! and there was a water bottle sticker like this included.
And here is what was included with The Goose Girl!
Envelope #1 was to be opened on Page 60 and included a little card that said: “The first four weeks of forest travel had merged into one another in the perpetual landscape of firs and pines.” I’m sure the traveling party encountered many cute animals like this one in the forest! Use the stick to scratch off designs on your forest friend! and included one of these scratch paper animals.
Envelope #2 was to be opened on Page 99 and had a card that said: “It’s all flash and comedy and giving a coin to hear what you already know.” Predicting the future can be difficult but this fortune teller fish may help. The envelope included this little fortune teller fish.
Envelope #3 was to be opened on Page 158 and the card inside said: “Enna was sitting near the fire, watching cheese melt on the bread she had placed on a hearthstone.” We hope you enjoy your gummy sandwich as much as Enna enjoyed hers! This gummy burger was included with the card.
Envelope #4 was marked for page 200 and the card inside the envelope said: “She often thought of him as a boy, the way he teased her and chased the geese and got excited over the desserts he brought with dinner.” We think that Geric would get very excited by this dessert! In the envelope was a bag of Sour Patch Kids candy.
Envelope #5 was for page 221 and inside was a card that said: “He led them out of the mass and around behind the game booth.” Here’s a fun game for you that may be (but probably isn’t) one of the same ones they had at the game booth. In the envelope was this tiny game.
Envelope #6 was for page 262 and inside the card said: “There was still an odor of a library on it, of dust, leather, binding glue, and old paper, one book carrying the smell of hundreds.” Although this bookmark is new, with continual use it may begin to retain an odor of a library. Inside the envelope was, no surprise, a bookmark (with geese on it!)
Envelope #7 was for page 307 and inside was a card that read: “Tapestries of forest animals with starry eyes and horns in gold thread . . .Ani felt doused by luxury.” Use this animal sticker to douse something you own in luxury. Inside the envelope was an animal water bottle sticker.
Envelope #8 was actually a brown paper lunch sack to be opened on page 356 and the card read: “The room was still as they watched her gather wind.” Use this pinwheel to watch the wind! This had a little DIY pinwheel kit.
The library also included a Q&A about these interactive book boxes in their email – if you’re curious, here’s what they said:
Q: Why are these only for kids ages 9-12?
A: The books we include in the Book Box program are pulled from our juvenile book club sets, and the recommended reading age is from 9-12.
Q: But my six-year-old reads like a college kid. Can they do this program?
A: I’m going to answer with a yes, but. If you are the parent of an advanced reader, you know well the challenges of navigating a world of literature that is within your child’s ability to read but not necessarily matched to their developmental level. CAN your six-year-old read these books? For sure. SHOULD they? That’s up to you. We’ve designed the program for kids ages 9-12, and we’d love for as many 9-12-year-olds as possible to experience them.
So can you check this out for your six-year-old? Yes, but it’s not designed for them. Our preference would be that you wait until they are nine so that kids who are already 9-12 get their chance to enjoy a Book Box.
Q: Does this program only happen during the summer?
A: We are so happy to tell you that we’re working to offer this all the time! Our goal is to have each title available for one year and to add two new titles every six months (all of this is contingent upon budget and interest in the program).
Q: The prizes seem a little small; why?
A: Money.
Q: Can I check out both Book Boxes?
A: Yes, though not concurrently. Please only check out one at a time.
Q: Do you have plans to add more titles to this program?
A: Ah, I see that you are a question-scanner and not necessarily an answer-reader. Yes, our goal is to add two new titles every six months (but to retire each title after a year in circulation).
Q: Can you make Book Boxes for older/younger kids and/or adults?
A: As Tevye famously said in Fiddler On the Roof,
“If I were a rich man
Ya ba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dum
All day long I’d make Book Boxes for kids
If I were a wealthy man.”
We love creating this fun, interactive reading experience for kids, but it’s not without its costs. We have implemented changes in order for the program to serve more patrons and cost less, but it’s not feasible for us to expand the program right now.
Any questions about these book boxes? I’m happy to answer!
What a cute idea! This would be a fun gift idea for my kids for Christmas. You could do a picture book for younger kids also, or a good chapter book for littles like mercy Watson!
what library is doing this?
Provo City Library
My 14 y.o daughter (who is NOT a reader but is an avid audio book listener) asked me if I would do this for a book she would like to read for herself (lost Hero by Rick Riordan). It seems like a reasonable request to make so now I just need to preread or at least skim (every 50th page or so) for something that would trigger a little prize and go shopping. In my pantry, my stash, the dollar store, etc. as long as I am a prize or two ahead of her, I’m good!! Maybe she’ll finally finish a chapter book!