IS A BOOK A BOX FOR WORDS?

Boxes' forms and uses inspire Ziefert's up-tempo rhymes, which celebrate the box's amorphous ubiquity in this playful conceptual picture book. Humorous descriptions ("Soup boxes/ poop boxes"--the latter as used by a cat) mingle with standard observations ("Boxes store./ Boxes pour") and slyly pointed phrases ("Plastic bins--almost forever--Scientists are way too clever!"). Adding a contemporary stylishness to the lines, Galí's illustrations combine photos with simple calligraphic sketches, featuring casually repeating figures including an electric pink bear. Categorizations eventually take on a wondering tone with questions ("If a hangar is a box for a plane,/ Is a head a box for a brain?"), leading up to the titular query. It's an investigation of the cubic for readers of all ages. Ages 5--8. (Oct.)