La caja de las carcajadas

K-Gr 3—On a cold, gray day, a girl finds a box, opens it, and from its contents finds laughter that begins to change her and her surroundings. Written in the first person, the story allows readers to see how some simple "ja, jas" and "ji, jis" can become contagious. A genuine smile starts a domino effect, and a solitary, mundane bus ride becomes a joyful communal event. The imagery of the book is simple, focusing on the box and the laughter that is released from its interior. The muted fall colors not only reflect the season of the story but also become a canvas for the smiles and laughter that become the focal point of readers' attention. The text is lengthy but will challenge those interested in building their vocabulary. In the end, the question children are asked to ponder is: Would you keep such a box, or share it and transform others with the power of laughter?—Veronica Corral, Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, NC