Someone Bigger

by Jonathan Emmett, Adrian Reynolds (Illustrator)

Sam's dad says that he is too small to fly their new kite, but when Dad, the postman, a bank robber, and some zoo animals get pulled up into the sky, only Sam can save them.

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Childrens, Family, Adventure

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2003

About the author

Jonathan Emmett was born in Leicestershire in 1965, the son of a factory fitter and a primary school teacher.

Jonathan loved books from an early age and some of his earliest memories are of visiting his local library. The picture books that he borrowed then, including Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss and Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson have had a great influence on the picture books that he now writes.

It was while Jonathan was at college, studying architecture, that he first started developing his own illustrated texts, illustrating poems and lyrics that he’d written. Pleased with the results, he found himself spending more and more time on writing and illustration. Although he qualified as an architect, he found the job unsatisfying and began pursuing a career in children's books in his spare time, eventually going full-time in 1995, a few months before his thirtieth birthday.

As well as writing picture books such as Bringing Down the Moon, Someone Bigger, Pigs Might Fly and Ruby Flew Too, Jonathan also writes and paper-engineers pop-up books. His books have won several awards including the Red House Children’s Book Award “Book for Younger Children” for Pigs Might Fly and the Kiekeboekprijs for Bringing Down the Moon.

He now lives in Nottingham with his wife, Rachel, and children, Max and Laura.

You can visit Jonathan’s website atjonathanemmett.com

Reviews

[Stephen Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story with nice, detailed illustrations, of a father flying a kite and his little boy begging for a turn. Dad thinks Sam is too little and everyone has a try at catching the runaway kite, e.g. the postman and his sack of mail, a bank robber escaped from jail... and animals at the zoo, all with great rhyming text and a good paced rhythm. My children love it that all the adults struggle and in the end it is actually the little boy who is just right. This is one of my children's favourite books. I would highly recommend this book and believe that it would appeal to children in reception to year 2.

[Ryan Brinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book which uses lots of onomatopoeia and alliteration to immerse readers in the swishing and swooshing of the kite as more and more people get pulled up by the strong wind. The children can join in with the repetitive phrases 'This kite needs someone bigger'.

[Caranna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam wants to fly his kite but his Dad tells him that he's not big enough. Disaster ensues as a strong wind takes the kite, and Sam's Dad, on a whirl-wind adventure through the town. Everyone the kite passes tries to pull it down, but in-fact the solution to the problem WAS NOT someone bigger, but someone just Sam's size.

Someone Bigger sports bouncy text in a combination of rhyme and prose. The cheerful artwork make it visually appealing to even the smallest readers. This whimsical story is just right for anyone who's ever felt like they're not big enough.

[Kristie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhyming text and a tidy ending that inspires and encourages self-confidence.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sam and his dad go kite flying and Sam wants to hold the kite but dad says it needs "someone bigger." When a gust of winde pulls the kite and Sam's dad up into the air Sam follows him and keeps asking to hold the kite. A whole cast of characters from a postman to a fireman to animals in the zoo grab the string and try to stop the kite but no one is successful. Will Sam find a way to bring him down or will his dad keep flying forever?

Great illustrations and rhyming text, this is appropriate and fun for preschool story time.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A recommended read aloud by the University of Minnesota. A delightful and fun tale of a young boy and father who go to fly a kite. The boy wants to hold the kite but the father doesn't believe he is big enough yet. Soon the kite is so strong it picks the father up off the ground and nearly the whole town. Can the boy prove his father wrong and save the town? Perhaps he is big enough already. A nice read aloud for 2nd grade classrooms and younger.

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a windy day, Sam and his dad go to a park to fly a big kite. Sam insists he is big enough to fly the kite but his dad says he is too small. When a gust of wind pulls the dad off the ground, Sam follows to help but is always told he is too small to help even as more and more people are pulled up by the kite.

The story and illustrations are really cute. This would also make for a fun flannel story.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would make a great extension for preschool and up about a boy and his dad flying a kite. The father won't let the boy fly it because he is to small but everyone else is getting pulled away by the kite. Will the boy ever get his chance?

[Katie Burton-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book because it has a really nice use of repetition and rhythm. I like that it is about a little boy who does not give up on trying to fly a kite even though he could see all of the adults involved could not fly it.

[Lidia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although it is a fantasy, it reminded me that kids deserve a chance to try and impress us.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes, you are just big enough.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for Kite themed storytime - March 22, 2019

[Jenna Mills · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretty ludicrous and non sensical

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book with lovely rhyming words!

[Becki Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

So easy to read and very fun. A lovely book.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Storytime Themes: Wind, Growing Up, Family

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam's dad is blown away by a kite, but won't let Sam hold the kite because it needs someone bigger. All through the town others try to help to be swept away by the wind. Who can hold the kite down?

[Mari]

Maybe fun rhyming but the theme is a bit off

[Kelly K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone Bigger by Jonathan Emmett

>Summary: A boy named Sam and his father decided to build and fly a kite. When they take it out to fly, Sam asks his father if he can fly the kite but doesn't let him because he is too small. So Sam stands and watches his dad fly the kite. Then a big gust of wind picks up Sam’s father and blows him away. Sam continues to ask his dad if he can fly the kite despite his father is being blown away. Community members like a police man, mail man, fire fighter and various animals like a rhino and tiger try to hold on to the kite and save Sam’s dad. Eager Sam grabs the kite and the kite stops flying everyone away. Everyone returns to the ground and Sam is now able to fly the kite alone.

>Theme: No matter what you’re size is, if you believe, you can do anything. I think this theme is encouraging to children to believe that no matter if you are small, if you just put your mind to it and believe, you can accomplish your aspirations. Sam kept saying “Can I hold it now, I’m old enough—I know I am.” And in the end when Sam held on to the kite, he saved his dad and all of the community members.

>Response: The book was very easy to follow and read. I enjoyed the repetition of Sam wanting to hold the kite, which showed his determination. The added humor with the animals being pulled by the kite offered laughable moments for the reader.

>Recommendation: I would recommend this book to any child. I think the message is very important and encouraging to children. Especially because I think a lot of children are discouraged to do things because of their small size compared to older adults.

[Laura Norton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very special to me and my daughter. We read it many many times when she was younger and she then read it to me when she learnt to read. We love a good rhyme and the illustrations are wonderful! We saved it, stored away for 10 years at least, until 3 months ago her baby brother was born and we got the same copy out and are all enjoying it all over again! Couldn't recommend it more for young children.

[Sian Taylor]

I love this book; the illustrations and use of rhyme make it a wonderful bedtime story. Effectively gets across the message that size isn't important, which is always useful with little children who always ' want to be bigger'.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A kid saves the day by grabbing the string of a kite when his father, townspeople, and animals are all pullled up in the air with the kite.

The kids in story time really liked this one. They were engaged and I saw lots of smiles.

[The Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little boy desperately wants to fly a kite he and his father made together, but is consistently told (by all the people swooped off the ground by the kite - including some very large zoo animals) this kite needs someone bigger!

Great illustrations.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My girls love this book. Not only does the kid learn that he can do great things at any size, but he also saves the firemen!

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily my favorite children's book written this decade. I first encountered this whimsical tale of kite flying at a library story time. Afterward I immediately went to find a copy for my home.

[Brooke]

Sweet story, but the rhyme gets a little too wordy at times. I started abbreviating the text for Owen just to get the story for him. A fun one-timer to read to your kids. Get it at the library.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute read aloud used in a kite storytime.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very creative and a fun read!

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

December 2016 - this is a storytime favorite of mine, and Ben really liked it, especially since he's into the idea of getting bigger. One of those rhyming stories that's bouncy and fun to read aloud.

[Trisan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great confidence builder for young children. Loved it!