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The Big Mess
Welcome to the world of The Big Mess! This adventure-filled picture book from bestselling author Justin Whitmel Earley is packed with humor, chaos, and of course, a big mess! This heartwarming and relatable story about two siblings who must learn to get along reminds readers that, no matter how messy, life is better when shared with the ones you love.
Follow along as big brother Mouse tries to bake the perfect dessert, only to be interrupted by his energetic yet clumsy, baby brother Moose. No matter how Mouse tries to avoid it, catastrophe strikes whenever Moose comes near, and every “perfect” dessert gets destroyed! Can Mouse learn how to navigate his relationship with his baby brother and come to appreciate Moose’s uniqueness and spirit?
The Big Mess
Filled with humor and lots of loveA lesson in giving grace and being patient with one anotherThe perfect family read-aloud for bedtime or anytimeA helpful story for navigating sibling relationships and learning to enjoy and get along with others despite their differences
Written in engaging and fun rhyme and features illustrations by Janna Mattia.
Follow along as big brother Mouse tries to bake the perfect dessert, only to be interrupted by his energetic yet clumsy, baby brother Moose. No matter how Mouse tries to avoid it, catastrophe strikes whenever Moose comes near, and every “perfect” dessert gets destroyed! Can Mouse learn how to navigate his relationship with his baby brother and come to appreciate Moose’s uniqueness and spirit?
The Big Mess
Filled with humor and lots of loveA lesson in giving grace and being patient with one anotherThe perfect family read-aloud for bedtime or anytimeA helpful story for navigating sibling relationships and learning to enjoy and get along with others despite their differences
Written in engaging and fun rhyme and features illustrations by Janna Mattia.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published April 9, 2025
3055 people want to read
About the author
Justin Whitmel Earley
12 books657 followersJustin Whitmel Earley (JD, Georgetown University) is the creator of The Common Rule, a program of habits designed to form us in the love of God and neighbor. He is also a mergers and acquisitions lawyer in Richmond, Virginia. He previously spent several years in China as the founder and general editor of The Urbanity Project and as the director of Thought and Culture Shapers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the community through arts. He and his wife, Lauren, have four sons and live in Richmond, Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
December 19, 2025
I plan to read all I can by this author. He’s new to me and did an outstanding narration. A sweet life lesson as the brothers learn how much better it is to work together.
I was blessed with an audio ARC. Thank you NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
This is a review of the audiobook.
I was blessed with an audio ARC. Thank you NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
This is a review of the audiobook.
May 21, 2025
Raising 3 kids under the age of 3. We anticipate a lot of sibling quarrels lol. We have been enjoying reading this book in the "post afternoon nap, before dinner" chaos. We love ice cream and desserts so every page is quite exciting! I have read all of Justin's books (for adults) so was very excited for a children's book. Thank you Justin!
August 6, 2025
The Big Mess is a helpful story for navigating sibling relationships and learning to enjoy and get along with others despite their differences. In this story, big brother Mouse tries to bake the perfect dessert, only to be interrupted by his energetic yet clumsy, baby brother Moose. For every “perfect” dessert Mouse creates, Moose ends up destroying it. This story offers fun, creative teachings about sharing with the ones you love and learning to adapt when things don’t go your way.
Thank you to NetGalley and Zonderkidz for the opportunity to read an Advanced Listener’s Copy (ALC) in exchange for my honest opinion/review. I thought the audiobook was so good, packed with lots of sounds to enhance young readers’ minds.
Thank you to NetGalley and Zonderkidz for the opportunity to read an Advanced Listener’s Copy (ALC) in exchange for my honest opinion/review. I thought the audiobook was so good, packed with lots of sounds to enhance young readers’ minds.
July 31, 2025
Sigh…siblings 😂
May 20, 2025
My two favorite things about this book are three. One, the big brother makes an effort to include the younger, two flying banana splits, three... the artwork.
May 7, 2025
✏️ First line
"One day, they say, that big brother Mouse, Was baking a giant confection.
With chocolate and cherries and big ripe strawberries-
His cake was a work of perfection."
BUT little brother mouse comes bouncing in...
"YOU CRAZY MOOSE! JUST LOOK AT THIS MESS!"
🍰It seems like little brother is set on smashing big brother's baking creations. Until finally big brother decides to make something with his little brother that's meant to be smashed.
✨ Moral of the story
"His great realization was that his creations were best when shared with others."
The author points out in that note to parents that "What if grace means that God can make wonderful things, even out of big messes?"
💭 The illustrator caught my attention. I love her art work in "A World Wonder." The illustrations are bright and fun!
The story falls a bit flat for me. 💕 However I'm so proud of big brother Mouse for finding a way to include his little brother in his creative process being an example of forgiveness and demonstrating grace towards his little brother.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.0 stars for text
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5.0 stars for illustrations
Thank you @netgalley and @zonderkidz for a temporary e-copy in exchange for a review.
"One day, they say, that big brother Mouse, Was baking a giant confection.
With chocolate and cherries and big ripe strawberries-
His cake was a work of perfection."
BUT little brother mouse comes bouncing in...
"YOU CRAZY MOOSE! JUST LOOK AT THIS MESS!"
🍰It seems like little brother is set on smashing big brother's baking creations. Until finally big brother decides to make something with his little brother that's meant to be smashed.
✨ Moral of the story
"His great realization was that his creations were best when shared with others."
The author points out in that note to parents that "What if grace means that God can make wonderful things, even out of big messes?"
💭 The illustrator caught my attention. I love her art work in "A World Wonder." The illustrations are bright and fun!
The story falls a bit flat for me. 💕 However I'm so proud of big brother Mouse for finding a way to include his little brother in his creative process being an example of forgiveness and demonstrating grace towards his little brother.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.0 stars for text
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5.0 stars for illustrations
Thank you @netgalley and @zonderkidz for a temporary e-copy in exchange for a review.
July 28, 2025
What a delight this audiobook turned out to be!
And thank you, Justin, for setting a new bar when it comes to narration. I fear my own humble read-aloud abilities will never quite measure up! The sound effects were a delightful touch, and while I would’ve loved to follow along with the illustrations, the story was still completely engaging without them. A true testament to both the storytelling and the performance.
The story follows two brother mice with wildly different personalities and interests. Mouse loves order. Moose thrives in chaos. All Mouse wants is to create the perfect dessert. All Moose wants is to destroy it. In the end, they realize that by combining their strengths, they can create something far more meaningful than either could on their own. It’s a lovely and accessible message, delivered with heart and humor.
Once again, a truly wonderful performance by the author. Your little ones are lucky to have you at story time!
Thank you to NetGalley, Zonderkidz, and Justin Whitmel Earley for the privilege of this ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.
And thank you, Justin, for setting a new bar when it comes to narration. I fear my own humble read-aloud abilities will never quite measure up! The sound effects were a delightful touch, and while I would’ve loved to follow along with the illustrations, the story was still completely engaging without them. A true testament to both the storytelling and the performance.
The story follows two brother mice with wildly different personalities and interests. Mouse loves order. Moose thrives in chaos. All Mouse wants is to create the perfect dessert. All Moose wants is to destroy it. In the end, they realize that by combining their strengths, they can create something far more meaningful than either could on their own. It’s a lovely and accessible message, delivered with heart and humor.
Once again, a truly wonderful performance by the author. Your little ones are lucky to have you at story time!
Thank you to NetGalley, Zonderkidz, and Justin Whitmel Earley for the privilege of this ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.
March 23, 2025
Super fun book! I was very entertained while reading this book, and I know for certain that little ones will be as well. The illustrations were full with energy and clearly demonstrated each and every mess that was made. There was never a dull moment in this book thanks to these awesome illustrations. Additionally, the rhyming scheme that was used allowed the story to flow effortlessly. It also makes for a more engaging story time with parents/caregivers. However, I do have one critique about that rhyming. On page 23, air does not rhyme super well with here, and I would alter it a bit so that the nice flow isn't disrupted. Lastly, the conclusion was very sweet and accurately displayed the benefits and results of brothers working together rather than against each other. Collaboration is important for little kids to see in the books that they read, and I thought that the solution was rather creative so, bravo!
June 5, 2025
This is an absolutely adorable children's picture book filled with soft, lively illustrations full of joy, mess, action, and splendiferous fun. A bizarre family with Mouse as big brother and Moose as little brother. Mouse cooks and creates dessert goodies and Moosie is flamboyantly active and destructive.
Frustrated Mouse yells and screams at Moosie when his beautiful desert creations are ruined. There is so much mess!
And then a bright idea on how they can work together to create wonderful deserts is born and everyone benefits.
A really cute story told in rhyme that teaches a wonderful lesson of sibling cooperation and how to just simply get alone with each other and work together.
I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.
Frustrated Mouse yells and screams at Moosie when his beautiful desert creations are ruined. There is so much mess!
And then a bright idea on how they can work together to create wonderful deserts is born and everyone benefits.
A really cute story told in rhyme that teaches a wonderful lesson of sibling cooperation and how to just simply get alone with each other and work together.
I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.
July 29, 2025
This was incredibly cute! I am in fact not a child, nor do I have any children, but I was curious how a children’s book would do on audio as they are usually very heavily pictured. I really liked the intro explaining this at the beginning of the story, and I think Justin Whitman Early does a very good job of brining his characters to life with his narration. He made it fun and exciting, and had a very good pace for younger readers. I don’t think you miss anything by going with audio. It almost feels like a bedtime story where you close your eyes and listen to your parent reading to you. The story itself is very cute and has a good lesson in it. I also thought the explanation and questions after the story were very interesting and would be a good tool to help children connect and process the morale of the story better.
January 5, 2026
The illustrations are cute. I read it aloud to my girls and they had a similar reaction to mine.
The little brother “Moose” ruins all the creations his older brother makes. Is he doing it on purpose? Is he just too little and destroys things like toddlers do?
The message is that the older brother - in order to get along - only creates things that his brother can smash. Everything must be created with Moose and his destroying tendencies in mind.
Pardon me? Yes, the message could be to make things with his brother in mind and that there could be communal things that he can topple. But everything? Even after the older brother cries and goes out of his way to remove his creations from his brother’s view, they are still smashed. And that’s supposed to be all wonderful?
Hard pass on this one.
The little brother “Moose” ruins all the creations his older brother makes. Is he doing it on purpose? Is he just too little and destroys things like toddlers do?
The message is that the older brother - in order to get along - only creates things that his brother can smash. Everything must be created with Moose and his destroying tendencies in mind.
Pardon me? Yes, the message could be to make things with his brother in mind and that there could be communal things that he can topple. But everything? Even after the older brother cries and goes out of his way to remove his creations from his brother’s view, they are still smashed. And that’s supposed to be all wonderful?
Hard pass on this one.
December 30, 2024
My review will be live on my blog - donnasbookblog on 6 May 2025 - publication day!
I thought that this was a fun story about siblings.
As the story tells, sometimes they get along, sometimes not so much - the book focusses on a mouse and his younger brother, who is a little bit cheeky (according to my daughter) as the plans that the older mouse seem to always get ruined by his little brother!
The book would be great for children with siblings as they can then see how the other feels. The ending is a great touch.
The story is well written, it is easy to follow and understand and it has some great illustrations as well to bring the story to life.
It is 4 stars from me for this one - highly recommended!
I thought that this was a fun story about siblings.
As the story tells, sometimes they get along, sometimes not so much - the book focusses on a mouse and his younger brother, who is a little bit cheeky (according to my daughter) as the plans that the older mouse seem to always get ruined by his little brother!
The book would be great for children with siblings as they can then see how the other feels. The ending is a great touch.
The story is well written, it is easy to follow and understand and it has some great illustrations as well to bring the story to life.
It is 4 stars from me for this one - highly recommended!
March 3, 2025
This is a cute, fantastical story about an older sibling whose younger sibling constantly messes up his projects, and who learns how to adapt to his younger sibling's strengths so that they can work together. The story is silly and imaginative, and the illustrations are charming.
The story itself does not have a direct Christian message, but the author's note at the end does, and this note also includes more thoughts about sibling dynamics. Parents can use this story with kids to help teach a life lesson, but the story is so fantastical that the resolution doesn't easily translate into real life.
I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The story itself does not have a direct Christian message, but the author's note at the end does, and this note also includes more thoughts about sibling dynamics. Parents can use this story with kids to help teach a life lesson, but the story is so fantastical that the resolution doesn't easily translate into real life.
I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 19, 2025
4 ⭐️
What a lovely little book- perfect for young readers who are being read to still. My little boy age 5 loved the easy rhyming and lyrical lilt to the words, easily getting caught up in the story.
A tale about Mouse and his brother Moose who is always messing up Mouse’s creations - but with the underlying message that sometimes it’s okay to make a mess- and that working together is best. A good lesson for any messy child.
A nice touch to find out at the end that there was a creature to find on each page - which enhanced the enjoyment.
Overall a great children’s book. Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC
What a lovely little book- perfect for young readers who are being read to still. My little boy age 5 loved the easy rhyming and lyrical lilt to the words, easily getting caught up in the story.
A tale about Mouse and his brother Moose who is always messing up Mouse’s creations - but with the underlying message that sometimes it’s okay to make a mess- and that working together is best. A good lesson for any messy child.
A nice touch to find out at the end that there was a creature to find on each page - which enhanced the enjoyment.
Overall a great children’s book. Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC
April 26, 2025
This book is cute and entertaining. I enjoyed 95% of the rhymes (nuts and coconut seemed a bit forced). My four year old requested this book at nap time and bed time every day for over a week. He especially loved the helicopter with the sprinkles and the airplane scarf. Desserts and messes and construction equipment and vehicles—what more could a kid want in a book?
I appreciate that it is a book that becomes enriched by re-reading it. I liked reading the headlines in backgrounds and finding the repeated creature on the pages. I also liked how the repeated words changed over the course of the book.
I appreciate that it is a book that becomes enriched by re-reading it. I liked reading the headlines in backgrounds and finding the repeated creature on the pages. I also liked how the repeated words changed over the course of the book.
May 14, 2025
As someone who grew up with both older and younger siblings and is now raising kids (toddlers) of my own, this book resonates with both the other sibling’s desire to accomplish something, the younger sibling’s desire to play, and all of the feelings and relational struggles that go with that. This story gives a foundation for talking about sibling relationships and struggles in a way that is so fun, engaging, and welcoming to little kids. My 4 yr old hasn’t wanted to put it down since we got our hands on it, which is great because it’s given me many opportunities to remind her that her brother is more important than her things.
January 5, 2025
Poor Mouse just wants to bake his creations in peace, but his little brother Moose has more destructive antics in mind. After his frustration finally gets the best of him, Mouse thinks of a solution that will make both of them happy *and* allow them to share his creations with others.
This is a sweet, funny story with a positive lesson and the illustrations made me actually laugh out loud. (I especially loved poor little Roly-Poly getting flung about.)
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a sweet, funny story with a positive lesson and the illustrations made me actually laugh out loud. (I especially loved poor little Roly-Poly getting flung about.)
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 20, 2025
I am so glad that God is always so kind to invite us in. His invitation to worship is available to all.
This book helps remind me of His invitation. An invitation for brothers to play in the mess. As a family, we all enjoyed this book. The vibrant illustrations, the playfully narrative, and graceful message were wonderful. It was hard to distinguish between Moose and Mouse at times. The questions and authors note at the end help us to discuss opportunities of forgiveness in the midst of frustration. Such a great story!
Thank you Netgalley and Zonderkidz for this ARC!
This book helps remind me of His invitation. An invitation for brothers to play in the mess. As a family, we all enjoyed this book. The vibrant illustrations, the playfully narrative, and graceful message were wonderful. It was hard to distinguish between Moose and Mouse at times. The questions and authors note at the end help us to discuss opportunities of forgiveness in the midst of frustration. Such a great story!
Thank you Netgalley and Zonderkidz for this ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2025
I am a big fan of Justin Whitmel Early’s book, Habits of the Household. As a new mom, it was serendipitous when I heard that Justin had come out with a children’s book! I highly encourage you to check it out, and if you have any young kiddos in your life, consider supporting him and sharing this book with your littlest loved ones!
I was able to be a part off the launch reader group to read and review the book before it’s release. It’s such a fun silly adventurous book that does a great job at displaying love and patience in sibling relationships. ❤️
I was able to be a part off the launch reader group to read and review the book before it’s release. It’s such a fun silly adventurous book that does a great job at displaying love and patience in sibling relationships. ❤️
May 20, 2025
Thank you to LibroFM, Justin Whitmel Earley, and Zonderkidz for the ALC!
This was overall a cute concept with an adorable resolution of the brothers being inclusive and joining together to create/destroy something. The author does include a note with Christian/mentions of religion, but the overall story does not mention any religious leanings. There is a note in the beginning of the audiobook due to the characters' names being slightly confusing. While I understand the note, it still was an interesting choice as an author to leave the names of "Mouse" and "Moose" for two mice.
This was overall a cute concept with an adorable resolution of the brothers being inclusive and joining together to create/destroy something. The author does include a note with Christian/mentions of religion, but the overall story does not mention any religious leanings. There is a note in the beginning of the audiobook due to the characters' names being slightly confusing. While I understand the note, it still was an interesting choice as an author to leave the names of "Mouse" and "Moose" for two mice.
June 13, 2025
This book was cute, funny, and had me craving dessert by the end! 😄
The Big Mess is a sweet and silly tale of sibling chaos that somehow makes flour explosions and frosting fiascos feel downright heartwarming. Mouse just wants to bake the perfect dessert—but his baby brother Moose has other (messier) plans!
Beyond the giggles, there’s a lovely reminder tucked in: grace and patience go a long way in relationships, especially the sibling kind. 💛
If you’ve got little ones—or just love a rhyming story with a big heart and bigger messes—this one’s a delightful read-aloud for your kiddo!
The Big Mess is a sweet and silly tale of sibling chaos that somehow makes flour explosions and frosting fiascos feel downright heartwarming. Mouse just wants to bake the perfect dessert—but his baby brother Moose has other (messier) plans!
Beyond the giggles, there’s a lovely reminder tucked in: grace and patience go a long way in relationships, especially the sibling kind. 💛
If you’ve got little ones—or just love a rhyming story with a big heart and bigger messes—this one’s a delightful read-aloud for your kiddo!
July 25, 2025
The illustrations are absolutely ADORABLE. I LOVE the mice and how they're drawn, especially the ears! I love them. They make me really want to draw mice and their big ears. The story was alright. I liked how it flowed with the rhyming, but I did not like the author's note because he was talking about God and I'm not into that. There are also a few questions at the end of the story under the author's note for book discussion (one of them is about God). It's not a religious book by any means though. It just teaches you a lesson like parables. I just really like the mice aspect.
August 10, 2025
This is wonderful! I will admit that I’m 56 but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the rhythm, the rhyme, the narrator’s voice and the fun (or havoc) that Moose created :)
I will be sharing this with my grandson but I know he will appreciate this short audiobook at bedtime as much as I did.
I would recommend this to teachers and parents who want to entertain young children for a short while.
It was the audiobook that I received from NetGalley, so no pages to turn but the cover illustration is great… colourful and alludes to the fun to be found within the story.
I will be sharing this with my grandson but I know he will appreciate this short audiobook at bedtime as much as I did.
I would recommend this to teachers and parents who want to entertain young children for a short while.
It was the audiobook that I received from NetGalley, so no pages to turn but the cover illustration is great… colourful and alludes to the fun to be found within the story.
August 28, 2025
I received the audiobook of this title so I can't comment on the pictures. This audiobook includes sound effects instead of just words. Little brother mouse is frustrated because his brother keeps destroying the things that he makes. Rather than try to convince his brother not to do that, he decides to only make things that are meant to be destroyed. I found that to be an odd outcome, but there's something to be said for learning to love your family the way they are instead of the way you wish they were. At the end of the book there are discussion questions that are very religious.
August 29, 2025
"The big Mess" is a fun book about dealing with siblings. I listened to the audiobook version with my child as a good-night story and he enjoyed it very much. The narration is engaging and the story is heartwarming. The runtime is about 5 minutes for the audio version, plus a few minutes for comments from the author. The audio version also comes with a little explanation for those who have no access to the book, as it can be a bit hard to understand who the characters are (the brothers are called Mouse and Moose). I would recommend getting the book.
April 28, 2025
The Big Mess is a wise, needed illustration of sibling disagreement and reconciliation for both kids and parents. As a mom of 3 boys, sibling conflicts are a daily occurrence that we as parents, and our sons, are constantly trying to navigate with peace an integrity. Healthy and holy reconciliation is a priority in our home, so I’m grateful for this adorable story that is both fun and helpful for our family. Justin does it again!
June 9, 2025
As a former kindergarten teacher, I can’t get enough of new picture books especially ones that brings families together! “The Big Mess” is a laugh-out-loud, heartwarming story about brothers, baking, and learning to love the chaos (something my 13 year old struggles with our 8 year old).Moose is hilarious! My kiddos favorite parts were the go cart page and the slingshot page. To hear my son belly laugh made me so happy!This is a must have book for your summer reading stack!
August 11, 2025
Wow! What a fun book to listen to! I always appreciate it when an author narrates their own audiobook but you never know if they will be good at it. Well I can tell you Justin Whitmel Earley is a fantastic narrator! I felt like he was reading me a bedtime story! The tale itself is very sweet and someday I'd like to take a look at it to see the pictures but really it was a pleasure to hear the author read it!
August 11, 2025
A great story idea paired with lovely, fun illustrations should make for a banger of a book. What can ruin it? Terrible writing, unfortunately.
I can tolerate some imperfect and forced rhymes. But this book goes too far when the protag calls someone by the appropriated slur "crazy" and when errors in grammar & punctuation litter the pages. With these problems, only the incredibly engaging, colorful drawings kept me from rating this a 1 or 1.5.
MPA ratings: G
I can tolerate some imperfect and forced rhymes. But this book goes too far when the protag calls someone by the appropriated slur "crazy" and when errors in grammar & punctuation litter the pages. With these problems, only the incredibly engaging, colorful drawings kept me from rating this a 1 or 1.5.
MPA ratings: G
August 17, 2025
What a cute and funny story for children. The author did a great job of narrating this story about siblings learning to get along.
The brothers are Mouse and Moose. Mouse being the older brother makes desserts creations but Moose always manages to destroy them. Finally Mouse finds a way to share his delicious desserts with the community even if they look like a big mess.
Great message in this book!
The brothers are Mouse and Moose. Mouse being the older brother makes desserts creations but Moose always manages to destroy them. Finally Mouse finds a way to share his delicious desserts with the community even if they look like a big mess.
Great message in this book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews