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I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean!
When a giant squid takes inventory of all of the creatures in the ocean, he realizes that he's way bigger than most of them! Of course, there are bigger things lurking around . . . but maybe this giant squid with a giant touch of hubris doesn't really care? First-time author-illustrator Kevin Sherry is sure to garner fans of all sizes for his perfect-for-preschool read-aloud with simple text, bold and delightful collage art, and a lovable squid whose spirit just cannot be crushed.
Choking Hazard - Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
Choking Hazard - Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 10, 2007
25 people are currently reading
2411 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 354 reviews
January 16, 2018
My only true disappointment in this book was that Qui-Gon Jinn didn't float by and say, "There's always a bigger fish, my friend."
August 6, 2012
While the illustrations are great and the overall story line is cute, I'm not really sure who the audience for this is. It was enjoyed in story time, although I'm not sure the preschoolers got the end joke. And older kids (who would get the joke) might find the simplistic text a bit boring. At the end of story time, the kids picked up all the other books I brought and looked them over but showed no interest in this one. I wouldn't go out of my way to read it again.
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April 24, 2018It's always good to have a positive attitude?
June 2, 2015
*Snort.* I'm bigger than this barcode!
The kids really liked this one and I agree. The drawings were very clean, clear, and easy to follow. I almost wish this book had been designed even larger (sort of like that Actual Size series). My only gripe is that it's rather hard to do sound effects for all the other ocean creatures. Er... glub, glub?
The kids really liked this one and I agree. The drawings were very clean, clear, and easy to follow. I almost wish this book had been designed even larger (sort of like that Actual Size series). My only gripe is that it's rather hard to do sound effects for all the other ocean creatures. Er... glub, glub?
July 8, 2018
Picture books where the protagonist gets eaten in the end are a terrible idea to begin with and, really people, this is getting old already. Can we not be more creative than this?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2019
I don't get it. I mean, I get it, but I don't understand why it's supposed to be so entertaining. I guess I'm not the audience.
A squid goes around telling us that he's bigger than this and that creature in the ocean. He's right, of course... until he encounters something bigger than himself. Undeterred, he uses his unique perspective to make sure he's still the biggest in his current situation.
I guess this could be funny the first time, but after that, it's likely to get tedious. The illustrations aren't really my cup of tea, either (although, I did find the squid's comeuppance kind of amusing... even if the drawings aren't scientifically accurate).
A squid goes around telling us that he's bigger than this and that creature in the ocean. He's right, of course... until he encounters something bigger than himself. Undeterred, he uses his unique perspective to make sure he's still the biggest in his current situation.
I guess this could be funny the first time, but after that, it's likely to get tedious. The illustrations aren't really my cup of tea, either (although, I did find the squid's comeuppance kind of amusing... even if the drawings aren't scientifically accurate).
February 20, 2024
Big squid…big whale…chomp chomp. OH NO!
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April 8, 2025the kids LOVE seeing that mf squid get eaten!!!
August 5, 2021
This book made my three year old son laugh and laugh -especially at the surprise guest on the very last page.
July 19, 2024
Kids love this one for storytime!
February 2, 2011
We've had to check this one out from the library twice since we discovered it. Lachlan likes it that much.
The cartoon style pictures are simple and funny but convey a lot of humor. I love the bravado of the Squid who spends the first many pages of the book telling all of the other creatures in the ocean that he's the biggest thing in the ocean--bigger than you, or him, or her, or that. When he finds himself suddenly swallowed by a whale, his bravado barely flickers before he comes back with a way to make the best of this new situation.
The squids youthful bravado reminds me so much of my boys before they get to the age of self-consciousness. I love it when they think they had huge muscles, can run really fast and jump super high, could beat up bad guys, and that their stomachs are "24 packs."
The cartoon style pictures are simple and funny but convey a lot of humor. I love the bravado of the Squid who spends the first many pages of the book telling all of the other creatures in the ocean that he's the biggest thing in the ocean--bigger than you, or him, or her, or that. When he finds himself suddenly swallowed by a whale, his bravado barely flickers before he comes back with a way to make the best of this new situation.
The squids youthful bravado reminds me so much of my boys before they get to the age of self-consciousness. I love it when they think they had huge muscles, can run really fast and jump super high, could beat up bad guys, and that their stomachs are "24 packs."
July 20, 2016
A whimsical squid brags that it is bigger than shrimp, clams, etc. until it is swallowed by a whale. Then it brags that it is the biggest thing in the whale.
If using this in a pre-school library story time have everyone stand up and sing (to the tune "I'm a Little Teapot")
I'm a great big whale (stretch arms wide)
Watch me as I swim (put hands together and make fish swimming motions)
Here is my blowhole (point to top of head)
Here are my fins (put arms against sides and wiggle hands back & forth)
See me flip my tail as down I go (jump up and then squat down)
Then up I come and WHOOSH! I blow! (thrust arms up and out)
If using this in a pre-school library story time have everyone stand up and sing (to the tune "I'm a Little Teapot")
I'm a great big whale (stretch arms wide)
Watch me as I swim (put hands together and make fish swimming motions)
Here is my blowhole (point to top of head)
Here are my fins (put arms against sides and wiggle hands back & forth)
See me flip my tail as down I go (jump up and then squat down)
Then up I come and WHOOSH! I blow! (thrust arms up and out)
May 28, 2013
If you were a Giant Squid, you might start feeling pretty proud of yourself, too. I mean, long blue tentacles, lovely saucer-like eyes, and such length! You might even get a bit cocky. Start thinking things like: "I'm big. I'm bigger than that crab. I'm bigger than those fish! I'm even bigger than that octopus!!! In fact, I'M THE BIGGEST THING IN THE OCEAN!" But pride cometh before a fall, my friend.
Still, even when this Giant Squid finds out that maybe, just maybe, he's not the biggest thing in the ocean, he knows how to make the best of a bad situation. Good for him! And good for you if you get a chance to read this clever and endearing children's book.
Still, even when this Giant Squid finds out that maybe, just maybe, he's not the biggest thing in the ocean, he knows how to make the best of a bad situation. Good for him! And good for you if you get a chance to read this clever and endearing children's book.
January 18, 2013
Man, this was one of the best story times for excellent books I've done in a long time. Such a perfect perfect book -- few words, GIANT pictures that reach all the way to the back, hilarious punchline -- this was the perfect way to end my fish story time.
May 19, 2010
Wt's the biggest thing in the ocean?
A squid??
No matter how big u think u r
there will always be something bigger(:
Funny story
A squid??
No matter how big u think u r
there will always be something bigger(:
Funny story
April 25, 2012
I think my 10 year old found this more humorous than my six year old. Great fun!
March 3, 2015
Baby loves this book. We've read it over and over and over. Cute pictures. Funny book. Optimistic!
December 21, 2017
Another story time favorite; I LOVE to read this one out loud to the children. They point out all the sea creatures, and the ending gets a BIG laugh!
December 14, 2017
I am rating this one on Norah's behalf. She loves this book. It is definitely a cute and quick story so I don't complain much about reading it over and over.
June 19, 2018
A giant squid brags that it's the biggest thing in the ocean. Then he meets a whale - oops! Funny ending and fun illustrations.
January 31, 2021
The art came across cute but I didn't really like it. I did appreciate the naming of different kinds of animals of the sea. But the writing was very repetitive. But it had a funny ending even though it might also be somewhat scary. So not bad but not great.
January 30, 2019
Cute little book. My toddler really enjoyed talking about the size differences
July 28, 2022
Bold illustrations, clever, storytime favorite - Emma (Appeal terms from NoveList)
January 8, 2023
This book makes my kids laugh every single time. The pictures are charming, too.
Reread total for the year: 2
Reread total for the year: 2
July 30, 2023
An interesting way to discuss size with Tot. And a fair warning to us all, something is always bigger. I enjoy the art. Tot loves all the sea creatures.
January 20, 2019
To be fair, this review should be taken with a grain of salt as the book I got from the library was missing an entire page in the middle of the story.
Overall my impression is thus - the squid is bragging about how big he is but in classic fashion “there’s always a bigger fish”.
I don’t feel like he learns anything and the book missed an opportunity to be a concept book as it counted things he was bigger than. Also I’m torn if seeing squid get swallowed may traumatize younger readers especially since you see him half hanging out of the whales mouth.
I wouldn’t rush out to get this one unless your child has a particular fascination with being big or squids.
Also the jelly fish just looks funny in a way I can’t get over.
Overall my impression is thus - the squid is bragging about how big he is but in classic fashion “there’s always a bigger fish”.
I don’t feel like he learns anything and the book missed an opportunity to be a concept book as it counted things he was bigger than. Also I’m torn if seeing squid get swallowed may traumatize younger readers especially since you see him half hanging out of the whales mouth.
I wouldn’t rush out to get this one unless your child has a particular fascination with being big or squids.
Also the jelly fish just looks funny in a way I can’t get over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2019
Comic relief in "under the sea" story-times that may also feature the more serious "Swimmy" by Leo Lionni and "Big Al" by Andrew Clements. Children clamor to hear this one again and again, and I am happy to oblige. Great fun!
June 4, 2025
The end of this book got a good laugh during Storytime.
January 18, 2018
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Summer Reading Day 56: Our book today was I'm The Biggest Thing In The Ocean by Kevin Sherry, an odd yet charming tale of a squid who, comparing himself to the animals around him, believes himself to be the biggest thing in the ocean. The story is simple and goofy with an unexpected twist, and the length is just right for baby bookworms. The illustrations are simple yet colorful and fun, and JJ could not keep her eyes off of them. We would absolutely recommend this one.
Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
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November 24, 2015Wiggles: Splish Splash the Big Red Boat
Take a Trip Out on the Sea
All the fish are swimming in the water, swimming in the water, swimming in the water...bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble, splash!
The great big fish...
The little bitty fish...
(Sung to Wheels on the Bus)
The waves on the sea go up and down, up and down, up and down, the waves on the sea go up and down, all day long.
The shark in the sea goes snap, snap, snap...
The fish in the sea go swish swish, swish...
The boats in the sea to toot, toot, toot...
Here is the sea, the wavy wavy sea (wave hands from side to side)
Here is my boat (cup hands like boat)
Here is me (point to self)
All of the fishies (wiggle fingers)
Down below (point downward)
Wiggles theri tales (wiggle fingers)
and away they go (wiggle fingers bedhind your back)
Take a Trip Out on the Sea
All the fish are swimming in the water, swimming in the water, swimming in the water...bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble, splash!
The great big fish...
The little bitty fish...
(Sung to Wheels on the Bus)
The waves on the sea go up and down, up and down, up and down, the waves on the sea go up and down, all day long.
The shark in the sea goes snap, snap, snap...
The fish in the sea go swish swish, swish...
The boats in the sea to toot, toot, toot...
Here is the sea, the wavy wavy sea (wave hands from side to side)
Here is my boat (cup hands like boat)
Here is me (point to self)
All of the fishies (wiggle fingers)
Down below (point downward)
Wiggles theri tales (wiggle fingers)
and away they go (wiggle fingers bedhind your back)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 354 reviews