Let's begin with a real Japanese Bento Box:
A bento box is a Japanese lunch box containing a single portion of a balanced meal. It usually consists of a starch (like rice or noodles), a protein, and assorted vegetable and fruit side dishes. A bento box can be divided into compartments and have one or more layers. A common type of bento box is the makunouchi bento, which has rice on one side and a variety of colorful side dishes on the other. Bento boxes are popular among the working-class and school children in Japan.
I had vaguely heard of this idea - the making of a 'book bento box' as a response to a novel or as a way to promote a book with your students. Recently I saw this post on Facebook from Reading Opens Doors with Elise Ellerman and the image/creativity/choice of book really resonated with me because I loved the Midwatch:
Lots of the examples I have found online are either from High School students and feature YA titles or they have been made by adults, but I do think this idea could be used very easily with students in Grades 4-6 or even better as a way to introduce a book to a class in your library. Or book bento boxes could be part of a library display. In my former library I had a terrific custom-made library counter with a viewing window on the side. I wish I had known about this idea of the Book Bento Box - it would have been fun to feature this idea and promote some favourite books. Here is my counter:
I found this 2018 blog post from Charles Sturt University lecturer Jennie Bales. Reading her thoughts it seems the box can be created with digital images but I think in the context of a Primary School it would be better to include 'real' objects too. Here are a few of her insights:
An alternative way to express a response to literature that will excite students with its combination of personal expression, visual arts, technology, creativity and hands on compilation of the bento box contents.
It also provides a great starting point for a teacher librarian before reading a book. Preparing a book bento box in advance with significant objects to get students to predict relevance and then at the conclusion of the reading to evaluate their initial thoughts and perhaps suggest alternative objects to include.
I found another blogger - Learning Through the Library and she quotes some other work from Jennie Bales:
The concept underpinning book bento boxes is straightforward. Common household items or images are artistically arranged and used as points of reference for significant themes or events within the text.
BBB can range from simple posters, to interactive digital images with embedded links for videos and external websites (Bales, 2018). They can be created individually or in collaborative learning groups, for teaching and learning as well as for assessment purposes.
By using this reader response strategy, students are increasing their visual literacy, critical thinking and consequently multiliteracy capabilities. It is also a whole lot of fun!!
Take a look here and also I found these elementary or Primary school level examples:
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