Tiny and the Big Dig

by Sherri Duskey Rinker, Matt Myers (Illustrations)

Sniff! Sniff-sniff!
I smell a bone. A bone that's BIG.
I'll get it out, I'll dig and dig.

A big, BIG bone! I know it's there!
It will take work, but I don't care!

Tiny may be a small dog, but don't let that fool you. He's a pooch with power who knows what he wants. And he's going for it. But oh, those pesky pessimists -- they're trying to rain on Tiny's dig-parade!

Thank goodness for one special boy who believes in Tiny, because in the end, this dog's grit proves that he's the little pup who could . . . dig up some giant surprises!

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Animals, Childrens, Storytime, Dinosaurs, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 30, 2018

About the author

Sherri has returned to her passion of writing to indulge her own children's passions. A graphic designer, she lives in Chicago with her photographer husband, a cockapoo named Quincy, several fish, a few hermit crabs, an ever-changing array of insects in jars, toys in every corner, and two energetic and inquisitive young boys: one fascinated by bugs and magic and another obsessed with trucks and trains. She's constantly inspired -- and often exhausted! She created GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT, CONSTRUCTION SITE in hopes of happier bedtimes and sweet dreams for all.

This is Sherri's first book, and (just in case you think it can't happen!) it was picked from the slush pile.

Reviews

[Lauren Kramer-Theuerkauf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiny and the Big Dig by Sherri Duskey Rinker follows one small pup on his quest for a bone. Tiny knows that a BIG bone is hiding beneath the dirt. All he has to do to claim his prize is dig.

While digging, Tiny attracts a crowd. A bluebird, cat, and fellow dog all agree that Tiny will never be able to uncover the bone. He is just too small to do something so big. Will Tiny be able to prove them wrong?

I love this book! The story is told in rhyme and flows beautifully throughout. My favorite lines involve Tiny's mantras about how strong he is. Children and adults alike will be able to relate to Tiny in his quest to overcome the preconceived notions of others.

Being the owner of several differently-abled animals, I know exactly what Tiny is going through. Our dog, Hope, was born without eyes and is completely deaf. Everyone thinks that she needs extra help, however, she continues to do amazing things without any assistance from us. Dogs are very adaptive and determined. Nothing gets in their way!

Matt Myers' illustrations are big, bold and fun. The watercolor and ink combination really pops off of the page. Tiny is adorable and will steal the hearts of everyone he meets. Myers makes fantastic use of white space to enhance his amazing artwork. The double page spread illustration is one of my favorites.

This is a wonderful read for children ages 3-5.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story told in rhyming text follows a small dog named Tiny who is determined to get to the heart of the matter by digging. Even though all the other animals express their doubts about Tiny's digging ability or try to persuade the pup from digging or wasting time, Tiny digs on. Fortunately for Tiny, he has at least one person in his corner. a boy who cheers him on and believes in him. Eventually, as Tiny digs and digs and digs, he hits the jackpot, finding all sorts of buried treasure and one very, very large set of bones that are far larger than Tiny and completely dwarf the dog. How satisfied and vindicated Tiny feels when he finds what he's been looking for all along, and so, take that you, you pesky doubters! I liked the message of persistence and the reminder to ignore the naysayers in your life, but some of the phrases such as "I am I-stick-to-it strong!" just didn't work for me and seemed a bit strained. The illustrations relied on ink and watercolor dyes and feature lots of ground being removed to make a hole as Tiny spends the entire book digging. This one would be great to share with youngsters as a starting place for a conversation about what to do when others try to put you down or distract you from your goals.

[Emily Tu]

Tiny is a small dog who plans to dig up something big. Tiny’s friend sees him trying to dig and tells him he’s too small and should just give up because of the disappointment he will face when he does not dig up what he thinks he will dig. They continually discourage him as he digs because they think he is too small to be able to dig anything up. Determined, Tiny ignores their comments and continues to dig. He reminds himself not to listen to their comments and that he is able to dig. After finding different bones, his friends marvel at his determination, but he does not stop because he knows there is more that he wishes for. In Marah Gubar’s, “Innocence,” Gubar discusses how innocence is associated with what one may lack, such as life experiences and thoughts for themselves, that a child being innocent means they need more protection from the real world (105). In, “Tiny and the Big Dig,” Tiny’s friends try to protect Tiny from what they believe will be a horrible ending to his adventure that they wish to protect him from. Due to the fact that Tiny is a small dog, they view him as innocent, and when Tiny begins digging his big hole, they discourage him as they believe he will be disappointed because they believe he will not find what he is searching for.

[SheReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for YA Books Central

An adorable little dog with a huge drive.

Tiny smells a bone. He's sure it's there, somewhere beneath his feet. So, he begins digging. And digging. And digging. Others tell him there's nothing there. The only ones who believe in him are his kid and himself. But he shrugs off the discouragement from the others and keeps going. Even after finding the first bone, he's sure there's more. Turns out, he was more right than anyone expected.

This is a very cute story about not listening to the naysayers and keeping after what you believe in. It has a great moral and is a lot of fun to read with a little one. The images are adorable and it's written in a fun rhythm that is easy to read.

Final Verdict: You can't go wrong with a children's book about a little dog with a big heart and this one doesn't disappoint.

[Lorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a bird, a cat, and a bigger dog doubt that Tiny does has the strength to find something big in the hole he is digging, he proves them wrong by using his “I-don’t-give-up” strength to uncover the biggest set of bones ever. Tiny’s story is told in fun to read out loud rhyming text and Matt Myers charming ink and watercolor dye illustrations add to the fun. This I Can Do It themed story will make a fun read aloud in both group and lap settings and with its easier text it could also be read independently by emerging new readers. I can see young readers falling in love with Tiny and his “big” story so be prepared for can we read it again demands. I would recommend this book for purchase by any school, public or home library.

This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.

[Christine Turner]

A New York Times bestselling powerhouse team presents a doggie, a bone, and tons of determination to remind us that going for what you want brings ginormous surprises. Sniff! Sniff-sniff! I smell a bone. A bone that's BIG.I'll get it out, I'll dig and dig.A big, BIG bone! I know it's there!It will take work, but I don't care!Tiny may be a small dog, but don't let that fool you. He's a pooch with power who knows what he wants. And he's going for it. But oh, those pesky pessimists -- they're trying to rain on Tiny's dig-parade! Thank goodness for one special boy who believes in Tiny, because in the end, this dog's grit proves that he's the little pup who could... dig up some giant surprises!

Subject: Dogs -- Juvenile fiction.
Determination (Personality trait) -- Juvenile fiction.
Fossils -- Juvenile fiction.
Size judgment -- Juvenile fiction.
Bones -- Juvenile fiction.

[CarolineDearman RDNG4130 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a small pup named Tiny who smells a bone and starts digging. All his animal friends are discouraging and tell him he can't do it, he's too weak. But he believes in himself and so does his owner, and all the digging Tiny does pays off.

This book is cute. It rhymes so its fun to read, and the illustrations are so fun. There are some surprises as to what kinds of bones he finds, and it's very creative and funny.

I think this book could definitely be used in a classroom to teach a lesson on believing in yourself, and not giving up. Tiny did not let his friends' negative words get him down. He was just more motivated to keep digging, and it was worth it in the end.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiny and the Big Dig by Sherri Duskey Rinker is a great children's book. It's an excellent story for kids who like dogs and dinosaurs, and to teach the importance of believing in yourself, working hard, and ignoring naysayers. The book contains vibrant illustrations to engage even the youngest of readers. I purchased this book for my nephew who loves digging, dogs, and dinosaurs and he loves it. I would recommend Tiny and the Big Dig for all kids bookshelves at home, the children's library, and elementary schools.

[Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiny and the Big Dig is an inspiring book that you will want to have in your library. Tiny is little dog on a big dig mission. He knows he is "I-don't-give-up strong"and so he doesn't listen to all the other animals that tell him to give up or quit because he is too small. His self-confidence and the cheering of his boy, give him the perseverance to keep digging until he reaches his goal.

FULL REVIEW https://mundiekids.blogspot.com/2018/...

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored this book! A tiny dog is determined to dig, dig, dig! While other animals doubt him because of his size, but his human never gives up on him. He digs until he finds the best surprise ever! This is a rhyming book with very colorful pictures. While the pages might seem wordy, they flow well and the book does not seem as long as the text seems.
A wonderful book about never giving up! A perfect read aloud for any grade level!

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiny the puppy is digging for something and won't be stopped by birds, cats, a boy, a bigger dog, and the group. He is one determined dog and finds many things and a surprise at the end. Good story with strong sense of goal centered Tiny who is determined and won't be discouraged by nay saying. He is confident and sure that he will find something and will keep at the task.

[Cindy Overcast · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun story told in rhyme about a tiny dog with big ambitions. When others tell him to give up and go home, he keeps on digging for a "big, big bone." Knowing his boy believes in him gives Tiny the boost he needs to uncover the story's big surprise ending. Matt Myers's active ink and watercolor illustrations are the perfect match for Sherri Duskey Rinker's can-do spot-on rhymes. Loved it!

[MaryLibrarianOH · Rating 3 out of 5]

A small dog keeps digging even when the other dogs tell him his is too little and that there is nothing to find. His boy supports him and he does in fact find something very special in the hole he digs.

From advance reader copy.

[Annie Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable! Very engaging art and great use of text features with the font-size changes for emphasis. Told in a lively verse that matches the dog's can-do energy and the energy in the art. Optimism beats pessimism in this one :)

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The tiny dog did not give up though others told him he should. His child believed in him and he believed in himself. He managed to dig up quite a set of big bones.
Use to teach about believing in yourself and persevering no matter what others say.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just because Tiny the dog is small doesn't mean he can't do big things. Despite everyone else saying he can't, Tiny keeps trying until he reaches his goal. The rhymes are great as is the message, but the presentation is what is lacking for me, here.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bookaday #64. Rhyming text and a pup that just won’t give up! Good little message for believing in yourself in spite of what others may say. Young readers might like to predict what comes out of the hole.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I admit it. I am not a big fan of rhyming books. This one repeats itself multiple times and just isn't that engaging. I like the ultimate theme of believing in yourself, of course, but otherwise I can't see myself sharing it in storytime.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots and Lots of fun. Others keep saying this dog is too small and too tiny to find a big bone. But hes is mighty and strong and he will show others what big things a small dog can do. Loved this. The sass, the rhymes, the illustrations. All of it.

[Tiffany May Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

This rhyming story was a joy to read. The story is about a dog named Tiny who is small and all of his friends tell him he can’t dog a bone out of a ditch because of his size. Not only does he prevail, he digs up an entire T-Rex. My daughter was so thrilled to see that Dino on the last page!

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The reveal at the end is cute.

[Sharie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best punch line ever!

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Such a cute book!

[Michele Knott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, rhyming story about what you can do when you put your mind to doing something!

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent book about believing in yourself despite others' opinions on your abilities! Plus, the illustrations and wordplay are excellent.

[Brenda Kahn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Humorous story in rhyme with perky illustrations and a nice message.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little dog is franctically digging to find a bone but no one else bieleves in him but his kid. Can he do it? Love the rhyming and the bielef by his kid. preschool and up. really cute ending

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the artwork and the story is sure to amuse.

[Kelly Veatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiny does not give up, no matter what people tell him! He digs and digs and digs, because yes he's small, but he knows he can do it!