Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Powerful picture book about girl who's told she's too big.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In BIG, by Vashti Harrison, a young Black girl is happy playing, dancing, and being herself -- until the people around her start treating her differently because she's big. She gets stuck in a swing, and the other kids tease her; the adults around her expect her to be more mature than the other kids and have higher expectations for how she should behave. She gets sad, retreating into herself, until she decides to tell people how their words make her feel. Not everyone has a helpful and caring reaction, so the girl has to figure out how to respond.
Is It Any Good?
The softly colored illustrations have a big impact in this compelling picture book, conveying the big feelings triggered by hurtful language, and the effect of helpful and healing words. Big has few words on each page, but the moody pastel palette reveals deep emotions: happiness, confusion, sadness, strength. There's a lot of social-emotional learning here, as readers see how deeply words and actions can impact a child, especially as she learns to take up her own space in the world. Readers see the difference between meaningful actions and empty gestures, as well as the value of speaking up. The sophisticated concepts of adultification and anti-fat bias are portrayed in age-appropriate ways. This lovely picture book provides adults with a means to discuss important topics with young readers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how they can help others who feel the way the girl does in Big. What can you do if you find out your own words have accidentally hurt a friend?
How can we look at the world differently if we're trying not to judge others?
Do characters show compassion to the girl? How so? How does the girl standing up for herself help others have empathy?
Book Details
- Author: Vashti Harrison
- Illustrator: Vashti Harrison
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Activism , Arts and Dance , Great Girl Role Models
- Character Strengths: Compassion , Empathy
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Publication date: May 2, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 8
- Number of pages: 60
- Available on: Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Awards: Caldecott Medal and Honors , Common Sense Selection , Coretta Scott King Medal and Honors
- Last updated: January 22, 2024
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