Little Peewee, or Now Open the Box

Little Peewee, or Now Open the Box follows the story of a circus dog who starts out as the smallest dog in the world. The dog becomes part of a circus act where his diminutive size is the main attraction. As events progress, Peewee faces an unexpected challenge that threatens his role in the circus. The narrative tracks how the circus members and Peewee himself respond to this development. This 1934 children's book by Dorothy Kunhardt presents themes of acceptance, adaptation, and the nature of true friendship. The story demonstrates that worth extends beyond surface-level attributes.

Most reader reviews express nostalgia for this 1934 children's book, with many remembering it fondly from their childhood and wanting to share it with their own children. Parents note the simple illustrations and repetitive text appeal to young children. Likes: - The circus theme and Peewee's character connect with kids - Short enough for bedtime reading - Builds anticipation through page turns - Illustrations match the text's simplicity Dislikes: - Some modern parents find the vintage circus setting dated - Limited text makes it best for very young children - Out-of-print editions can be expensive - A few readers mention condition issues with older copies Ratings: Goodreads: 4.36/5 (63 ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (15 ratings) One Goodreads reviewer wrote: "I have been searching for this book for 40 years...my daughter loved it as much as I did." Another noted: "The suspense of what's in the box kept my toddler engaged."

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🎈 This charming 1934 children's book was written by the same author who created the beloved classic "Pat the Bunny," which pioneered interactive touch-and-feel books for young readers. 🎪 The story follows a circus dog named Peewee who starts out tiny enough to fit in a matchbox but keeps growing larger throughout the tale, subverting the circus owner's expectations. 📚 Dorothy Kunhardt wrote over 50 children's books during her career, and many featured her signature style of unexpected plot twists and whimsical narrative turns. 🖼️ The book's original illustrations were done by JP Miller, who went on to illustrate many Golden Books classics including "The Little Red Hen" and "The Sweet Smell of Christmas." 🌟 When the book was republished in 2009 by The New York Review Children's Collection, it introduced this vintage treasure to a new generation of young readers, preserving its place in children's literature history.