Max’s parents give him a very special gift; a tiny box that can hold absolutely everything. Max soon learns, however, that feelings can’t be put away as easily as toys. As each negative emotion—anger, embarrassment, sadness, loneliness—gets added to his box, it grows and grows, eventually becoming so large that it keeps him from doing the things he love, like riding his bike and climbing trees. With help from friends and family, Max turns the box into something beautiful and lets it go. A Parents’ Guide explains how well-intentioned adults often encourage children, especially young boys, to ignore and “put away” their feelings instead of learning to fully live with them. Simple, powerful illustrations become more colorful and vibrant as Max moves out from his box’s shadow.
