Title: Harrison and Grandpa Build a Sandbox
Author: Sally Knox
Publisher: Ideopage Press Solutions
ISBN: 978-1-949735-67-3
Genre: Illustrated Children’s Book
Pages: 22
Reviewed by: Beth Adams

Read Book Review

In Harrison and Grandpa Build a Sandbox, author Sally Knox writes in her story the steps necessary to build a sandbox; explaining each of the decisions which need to be made in creating something, in order for the young minds of readers to absorb and follow as in a lesson in problem solving.

Initially Harrison asks his Grandpa to buy him a sandbox, when his Grandpa replies to him, “Let’s build one instead.” So the two of them go to the lumber yard and buy the wood and hardware they need. Then once they assemble the frame, they go to the paint store to buy green paint. After putting on old clothing, because painting is messy, they go back to the building material store – this time to buy the sand. After all, you need sand for a sandbox, and they should have thought of that before when they were at the store the first time! Well, after gathering all of Harrison’s fathers tools they needed, such as a screwdriver, drill and wrench, they put together the sandbox. Having each of the purchases itemized with the cost, Grandpa kept saying to Harrison that he’s costing him a lot of money that day, but the task is finally completed. They realize one more thing; now they need a toy bucket and shovel to play in the sandbox.

The sequence of problem solving, visualizing the project and doing a step-by-step sequence of tasks in order of breaking down the ultimate goal, in this case building the sandbox, into incremental jobs, is the theme of this book. This provides a lesson to little ones how to best proceed on solving a complex problem. By confidently taking it into your own hands, buying the supplies, gathering the tools, and performing the tasks which result in a completed sandbox, this book outlines an ideal lesson for children of the single-digit years of age to begin to apply to many other situations.

With illustrations by artist Shelia Morehouse Brady, Sally Knox has put together a story which will resonate in the imagination of youngsters – time and time again, as they are read or read to themselves this quintessential child’s book. As the children get older, it may be a good idea for them to write down all of the costs of the supplies and add up the total amount of money the sandbox cost Grandpa that day! Of course, the labor was a labor of love, free of charge from Grandpa. Sally Knox demonstrates the love she wrote into this charming storybook.

Although in this reviewer’s opinion, Harrison and Grandpa Build a Sandbox would appeal more to little boys, it is equally adaptable for little girls as well, as problem solving is a universal skill which applies to all children.