Book Review: Roxaboxen
The tale of a special place where children create a grown-up world of their own.
Age: 4-8
Overall Rating: 5 stars
Literary value: 5 stars
Artistic value: 5 stars
Publication date: 1991
Themes of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness
A tale of friendship, family, growing up, warm memories, home and belonging, creativity and imagination.
Discussion Questions
Why do you think Marian was mayor “of course?”
Have you ever had a special place like Roxaboxen?
If you were a citizen of Roxaboxen, what kind of shop would you open or what job would you have?
Academic Tie-ins
Economics, government, social studies
Maria Montessori was known for saying that “play is the work of the child.” In this beautiful and lyrical book by Alice McLerran, lovingly illustrated by Barbara Cooney, we see children playing at being grown up.
Out in the desert, with very few resources, Marian and her friends create the town of Roxaboxen. Complete with houses, shops, a Mayor, money, and laws, Roxaboxen provides a place for its citizens to do the important work of childhood.
We learn in the back matter of the book that this is a true story belonging to the author’s mother. Roxaboxen was such an important part of her childhood, that she had written her own manuscript about it as a child. Combining that manuscript with memories of relatives as well as maps and letters from other former residents of Roxaboxen, Alice McLerran lovingly recreates the special place of her mother’s childhood.
Barbara Cooney’s beautifully detailed illustrations bring McLerran’s loving descriptions to life. Cooney made two trips to the desert home of Roxaboxen to capture the magic of the place.
This is the kind of book that soothes and inspires children. Read it with your kids, and don’t be surprised when they create their own magical world in your backyard.
