Waiting for a new friendship

One day, a strange box appears in the forest, a box that is “big enough for someone or something to fit inside. Big enough to hide in.” Bear, Fox, Squirrel, Hare, and Owl are curious about the two eye-like openings in the box, how the box got there, and when it arrived. When the box begins to shake, the animals are convinced that someone is inside. But no amount of coaxing will convince the box’s mysterious inhabitant to come out.

The perplexed animals try to come up with reasons for why the enigmatic occupant doesn’t want to come out of the box: could it be that they feel ugly and different, or they’re having a rough day and feel sad, or they’re scared because of something that happened in the forest, or maybe they met someone who was mean and greedy so they decided to stay inside. Undaunted, the animals resolve to entertain the unknown creature. Despite being full of goodwill and putting on the greatest show ever staged in the forest, nothing happens. Still determined, the animals host a party the following day, hoping the box will open up. But again, their efforts are in vain. Only when a storm threatens and the animals carry the box to a shelter does the box fling open to reveal a new friend. Then Owl, wise as always, says, “Maybe all you needed to help you open up was some friends. . . us!”

In this picture book for young children, illustrator Paolo Prioetti’s charming, delightful artwork complements author Isabella Paglia’s endearing, warm-hearted narrative about friends who patiently and lovingly wait for a new friendship to be cultivated and grow.