Book Boxes are my children’s absolute favorite gifts, and it’s easy to see why! The concept is simple yet magical: I choose a book I know they’ll love and pair it with a handful of themed gifts that bring the story to life. When they open their Book Box, they find a book alongside a collection of wrapped presents, each labeled with a page number. As they read, they get to open a surprise at just the right moment—guided by bookmarks placed throughout the book. The anticipation is thrilling, and I’ve never seen my kids read faster! They can’t wait to reach the next gift, making the experience both exciting and immersive.
The gifts can be as simple as small trinkets or as special as something they’ve been eagerly awaiting. No matter what, each present deepens their connection to the story, turning reading into an adventure.
Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein has become one of my favorite go-to gifts to tuck into a book box for friends ages 8-12. It also happens to be one of my son’s all-time favorite reads! The story follows Kyle, a boy who finds himself in the ultimate contest inside the fantastical library of Mr. Lemoncello, a world-famous game maker. Packed with puzzles, riddles, and clever twists, this book invites readers to play along with the characters and solve the mysteries right alongside them—making it an especially fun and interactive adventure.
The games and riddles are fun enough, but here are some fun gift ideas to include in an Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Book Box:
– Balloons Page 21 – “Balloons. There might be balloons.” (Spoiler alert. There most definitely are balloons at the event.)
– Letter Cookies Page 48 – “A waiter passed by with a tray loaded down with small boxes of Mr. Lemoncello’s Anagraham Cracker cookies.” Will they use these cookies to find a clue and solve a riddle? Maybe!
– Dry Erase Board and Pens Page 181 – “Akimi grabbed a marker and wrote a neat outline on the dry-erase walls.” The characters use meeting rooms to solve some clues to win the game.
– Washi Tape Page 259 – “She handed Kyle a large manila envelope sealed up with tons of tape.” This is a fun way to personalize the gift and give the child something that reflects their interests.
–Confetti Canon Page 288 – This is the last page of the book and the end of the contest for the characters while a winner is announced. Though no confetti canon is explicitly mentioned in the book, Mr. Lemoncello would think it was a great idea!
Book Boxes make reading a truly interactive experience, turning every page into an adventure. If you want to inspire a love of books in a fun and memorable way, give this idea a try—you just might spark a lifelong reader!
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