The Box With Red Wheels by Maud and Miska Petersham is a heartwarming and whimsical story that celebrates curiosity, innocence, and the joy of unexpected friendships.

“Under the tree in the garden stood a strange-looking box with red wheels. The gate to the garden was open, and all the curious animals of the barnyard walked through.”

Under the tree in the garden, a mysterious box with red wheels attracts the attention of the barnyard animals. The delightful creatures march up to the red box to investigate. First, the cow looks in, mooing her question of wonderment. Next the pony peers in and shakes his head, also wondering what this could be. Their curiosity builds until a sweet surprise reveals itself—a baby peeking out from the box!

Mama comes running from the house shooing all of the animals away and closing the gate behind them. As the sad baby looks longingly at the animals, and they at her, mama relents, opens the gate and the animals carefully come in to play with the baby. The gentle interactions between the animals and the baby create a charming narrative filled with warmth and playfulness.

The Petershams bring this enchanting tale to life through their simple yet evocative storytelling and lovely illustrations that capture the animals’ expressions of wonder and delight. The vibrant depiction of the garden, the curious barnyard animals, and the innocent baby create a cozy atmosphere, perfect for reading aloud. The story’s themes of exploration, compassion, and connection with animals make it a timeless classic that appeals to young readers and their parents alike, reminding us all of the pure joy that comes from friendships in the simplest of places.

At time of writing this, this book is out of print, but there are reasonably priced used copies available from a variety of sellers. If you like this book, don’t miss our review of The Peppernuts.