Book of the Month

Spencer has too many toys. He has puzzles and board games, electronic and wooden toys, stuffed animals and action figures. They are covering the floor, filling the closet, under the bed, spilling down the stairwell. His mother has had enough and begins an intense bargaining session with her son. They sort through the entire collection, toy by toy, putting the unused, worn, or broken toys into a large box. Exhausted from the effort, mom takes a short break before loading the box into the car. When she returns, she discovers the toys once again all over the floor and Spencer refusing to part with his best toy ever – the box!

Caldecott Honor illustrator David Shannon has perfectly captured the frustration suffered by both parent and child when faced with this common task. The expressions on Spencer’s face, the details drawn in the toys, and the realistic dialogue create a hilarious book that every family can relate to. (Ages 4-7)

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