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Great Big Things: A Poetic Picture Book About a Mouse's Journey and Friendship for Children
Chronicling the quiet heroism of one small mouse on an arduous journey to bring another mouse the smallest of gifts, Great Big Things serves as a reminder that it’s not our size but what we’re doing in this world that makes us small or it’s what makes a teeny mouse as big as a mountain, what makes his gesture after a long journey as big and as consequential as the moon. Following her debut, Real Cowboys, Kate Hoefler's poetic story of perseverance and friendship is brought to life by Noah Klocek's breathtaking expansive landscapes that celebrate the natural beauty of the world and the bonds that connect us all.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2017
1 person is currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Kate Hoefler
13 books19 followersKate Hoefler received her BA in English and creative writing from Ohio University, and her MFA in poetry from the University of Michigan, where she studied as a Colby Fellow. She is the author of Real Cowboys, Great Big Things, and Rabbit and the Motorbike (with more forthcoming). She makes her home in the rolling hills of Ohio with her two children, a young dog, and an old cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 2, 2017
I keep changing my rating on this. The illustrations are really pretty, but the text was a bit confusing initially. Important note, you must read the jacket flap first. If you are reading this aloud, you don't necessarily have to read that jacket flap to the child you are reading the book to, but, you need to be aware of it. This isn't just a read it and set it down sort of book, this is a read it and then discuss it sort of book and it will only make sense after it's discussed.
I read this to my daughter without reading the flap first. We got to the end and both sort of shrugged like, 'What was that? I don't get it.' I figured we were missing something and finally read the jacket flap and then figured out what the book was supposed to be.
It's one of those big idea sort of books that discuss perspective for children. It starts out discussing big things like canyons and stars but then starts talking about this mouse instead. The mouse goes on a journey and finally arrives 'home' to this other mouse and then describes all those large things as 'small things' in comparison to love.
I could see it useful to use when talking about situations like temporary family separations, possibly good for military families or for people who have had to move for work and so on.
It's not one of those books where I'm like, "You must read this, you will love it." It's more like you will love it if your situation makes the lesson helpful.
I read this to my daughter without reading the flap first. We got to the end and both sort of shrugged like, 'What was that? I don't get it.' I figured we were missing something and finally read the jacket flap and then figured out what the book was supposed to be.
It's one of those big idea sort of books that discuss perspective for children. It starts out discussing big things like canyons and stars but then starts talking about this mouse instead. The mouse goes on a journey and finally arrives 'home' to this other mouse and then describes all those large things as 'small things' in comparison to love.
I could see it useful to use when talking about situations like temporary family separations, possibly good for military families or for people who have had to move for work and so on.
It's not one of those books where I'm like, "You must read this, you will love it." It's more like you will love it if your situation makes the lesson helpful.
February 6, 2018
A little mouse with a little crumb sets off on a big adventure, journeying through big canyons, big forest, and a big ocean. All to present the crumb to his love. A sweet ending for a beautifully illustrated book.
I can see using this for a kinetic storytime, as there's room to have the children do some actions with you as you read the book (as in the "Going on a Bear Hunt" rhyme, have them tramp through the forest and so on). It might also work for a big/small storytime as those are prominent themes throughout. I think it would work well for elementary students, as at the end when lady mouse says (I paraphrase here) "You mean you crossed desserts and mountains for me?" and the hero replies, "Small things," as if to say, "It was nothing, because I love you," well, I could see that fostering some discussion among older kids.
Overall, a lovely book. I could see making it work for storytime. Lots to work with here.
I can see using this for a kinetic storytime, as there's room to have the children do some actions with you as you read the book (as in the "Going on a Bear Hunt" rhyme, have them tramp through the forest and so on). It might also work for a big/small storytime as those are prominent themes throughout. I think it would work well for elementary students, as at the end when lady mouse says (I paraphrase here) "You mean you crossed desserts and mountains for me?" and the hero replies, "Small things," as if to say, "It was nothing, because I love you," well, I could see that fostering some discussion among older kids.
Overall, a lovely book. I could see making it work for storytime. Lots to work with here.
October 21, 2017
Reminds me of the lyrics "Ain't no mountain high enough. Ain't no valley low enough. To keep me from getting to you."
December 5, 2017
Hoefler, Kate Great Big Things. PICTURE BOOK. Illustrated by Noah Klocek. Houghton Mifflin, 2017. $18. 9780544774773
A tiny mouse has an epic voyage to bring a single crumb back for a very special someone.
It is the illustrations that captivated me from the very first. I am not normally drawn to the abstract, but there is magic in Klocek’s work. The mouse’s determination shines forth and the majesty of the scenery includes it, rather than eclipsing.
Pre-K, EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
A tiny mouse has an epic voyage to bring a single crumb back for a very special someone.
It is the illustrations that captivated me from the very first. I am not normally drawn to the abstract, but there is magic in Klocek’s work. The mouse’s determination shines forth and the majesty of the scenery includes it, rather than eclipsing.
Pre-K, EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...
January 28, 2019
Great Big Things is a book about a mouse travelling across rough terrain in order to deliver a gift to another mouse. The book is illustrated with beautiful pink and blue landscapes and a surprisingly detailed little mouse. I loved the illustrations in this book, as they combine beautiful pastel shades. It is truly a work of art. I do think I'd like to have this book in my classroom, because, like other picture books I've read and enjoyed, it is about being capable of doing anything, no matter how small you are. I also love that this book is about animals because I love animals and animal books.
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September 10, 2019A super cute book with an ADORABLE ending! The book starts out with a little mouse and his crumb crossing big forests and big mountains to get across the world to his ( what I think is) this lovely mouse girlfriend. The most amazing part of this book is the illustrations. They are some of my favorite I have ever seen. The colors in the sunsets and the mountains are beautiful and so detailed. The ending is so sweet because the mouse that has traveled so far seems to say that he would've traveled even farther to get to his mouse. Super cute book to show kids about perseverance.
November 30, 2019
The landscape layout, intensely toned full-bleed illustrations stir emotions in themselves. The text could fit on a few lines, but gain in impact, power, and meaning as the stretch from page to page. I'm a sucker for a sweet-faced rodent, especially one clutching a single crumb. And a hero
s journey is a winning script.
Althogether, this is one of those conceptual books that will stir reactions and express love and devotion between parent and child, between lovers, even between deep friends and beloved siblings.
s journey is a winning script.
Althogether, this is one of those conceptual books that will stir reactions and express love and devotion between parent and child, between lovers, even between deep friends and beloved siblings.
November 16, 2017
What a beautiful story. The illustrations are wonderful, really expressing the size difference between the little mouse and the world through which s/he travels, which capitalizes on the meaning of the story perfectly.
February 12, 2018
In the perfect marriage of text and illustrations, Ohio author Hoefler (Real Cowboys) shares the poetic journey of a tiny little mouse on a quest that takes him across a continent to a sweet, unexpected and satisfying ending. Highly recommended. Jenn H.
March 12, 2018
Minimal text by Kate Hoefler and wonderful illustrations by Noah Klocek convey the size of "great big things" like mountains and the ocean and the forest as a small, small mouse braves all big obstacles to reach his love.
March 30, 2018
Oh my golly! I couldn't swallow after I turned the last page because my heart was in my throat. "A sweet reminder that it's not our size, but what we're doing in the world that makes us small or big."
August 22, 2018
This story is so sweet. It is about a brave mouse travelling to provide for another mouse. Kids will enjoy finding the mouse in each illustration and see the amazing feats it accomplishes. The illustrations were beautiful and sweet. I enjoyed this a lot.
June 17, 2020
absolutely precious ... great illustrations. i've always enjoyed field mice ... i am guessing what kind of mouse it is ... but those little ears are much larger?? so cute. what fun adventures. check it out.
January 1, 2023
A transformative tale of all the great, and large things throughout the world, one small mouse makes a difficult journey to deliver a small token to another mouse. This story display that size of one's heart and what we are doing to make a change and difference in other's lives.
October 1, 2017
Size doesn't matter when you are doing big things. Gorgeous illustrations.
October 8, 2017
Although the illustrations are gorgeous spreads of color of vast spaces, the sparse text requires the reader to take huge mental jumps.
October 23, 2017
Gorgeous illustrations. Minimal text. Beautiful message.
October 26, 2017
Absolutely beautiful illustrations and an even better message. :)
October 28, 2017
A gently told message about devotion and perseverance using spare text and beautiful, expansive illustrations.
November 17, 2017
Krasna vizualna poezija!!! Krasno vzdušje, krasne obsežne pokrajinske dvostranske ilustracije in mala miška v glavni vlogi in zgodba se čudovito zaključi ! Čist všeč :)
January 9, 2018
Cute. But too cute.
January 19, 2018
Very lovely story with nice illustrations, although it may be a bit above young readers.
May 9, 2018
I’m personally not a fan of nature imagery. This book is pretty but does not stand out for me.
February 13, 2018
The illustrations were beautiful and the story line was fantastic. I loved how it ended!
February 21, 2018
Follows a mouse's travels through the great big world past the canyons, desert, roads, forests, rivers, oceans and skies, ocean, and to share with a loved one.
March 12, 2018
Beautiful book about the big picture and the small picture, kindness, determination, and friendship.
March 26, 2018
The story is a little esoteric but the illustrations ground it so beautifully (Noah Klocek is so, so talented).
April 4, 2018
The illustrations are beautiful and Hoefler's message that all things, big or small, are important is universally satisfying.
April 14, 2018
The story is a bit dicey/cheesy in spots, but the illustrations are fantastic, and the little mouse made me smile.
April 20, 2018
This picture book is about a little mouse, who takes a long and difficult journey to visit a loved one. It's very sweet and the kids enjoyed it. Even little ones can accomplish great big things!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews