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Love Big: A Sweet Story on the Power of Kindness and Caring (The Live Big Series)
#1 New Release & Amazon Best Seller
Family Choice Gold Award Winner
Moonbeam Award For The Best Series
Mom's Choice Gold Award Recipient
The African savanna has turned dry and desolate in the next book of Kat's LIVE BIG series. Rhinoceros, Hare, and Lion are hungry, miserable, and mean and tend to only their needs. But after Baboon witnesses a rare act of kindness, CATCH-M, the gift of love's wondrous spark in his heart, ignites. Can Baboon encourage his friends to put their needs aside, work together to save their home, and experience love's gift, too? Packed with positive affirmations, Love Big encourages children to problem-solve through important life-skills like kindness, sharing, listening, and care. By sharing smiles and believing in each other, each animal experiences bravehearts full of love's power. Love Big's core message shows how to catch CATCH-M every day with the animal's second secret. Love Big's inspirational story makes it the perfect gift for every age so we all experience love's power and our extraordinary dreams together.
Family Choice Gold Award Winner
Moonbeam Award For The Best Series
Mom's Choice Gold Award Recipient
The African savanna has turned dry and desolate in the next book of Kat's LIVE BIG series. Rhinoceros, Hare, and Lion are hungry, miserable, and mean and tend to only their needs. But after Baboon witnesses a rare act of kindness, CATCH-M, the gift of love's wondrous spark in his heart, ignites. Can Baboon encourage his friends to put their needs aside, work together to save their home, and experience love's gift, too? Packed with positive affirmations, Love Big encourages children to problem-solve through important life-skills like kindness, sharing, listening, and care. By sharing smiles and believing in each other, each animal experiences bravehearts full of love's power. Love Big's core message shows how to catch CATCH-M every day with the animal's second secret. Love Big's inspirational story makes it the perfect gift for every age so we all experience love's power and our extraordinary dreams together.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2019
6 people are currently reading
1994 people want to read
About the author
Kat Kronenberg
9 books225 followers Kat Kronenberg is a sought-after keynote speaker and the creative mind behind the bestselling LIVE BIG series--DREAM BIG, LOVE BIG, THINK BIG, and the forthcoming LIVE BIG with CATCH-M (August 2025). Her multi-award-winning books foster social and emotional learning by exploring the heroic quests of various African animals. Albert Einstein said, "If we look deep into nature, we will understand everything better." The character's hard, heart-led journeys help children, families, educators, and companies navigate life challenges with connection, courage, and clear choices to be the hero of their story.
Kat's deeply impactful body of work has resonated with readers worldwide. Her books have achieved #1 New Release and Best Seller status on Amazon and received national recognition with awards such as the Moonbeam Award for Best Series, Readers' Favorite Award, Family Choice Gold Award, and Mom's Choice Gold Award.
Kat thinks these stories found her because she needed them as a young girl. After struggling with the sudden loss of two siblings and considering quitting as a writer, her quest for meaning led her to one simple act: a smile. Kat calls her smile a "U-shaped bridge" over troubled waters, filling the void between fear and love. Her smile was a powerful "YES!" It opened her to the extraordinary wonder of life as she found her full, braveheart. Her stories inspire her and readers everywhere to reconnect with their bravehearts by catching CATCH-M every day. CATCH-M is the gift of love's wondrous spark in all of our hearts.
Kat's deeply impactful body of work has resonated with readers worldwide. Her books have achieved #1 New Release and Best Seller status on Amazon and received national recognition with awards such as the Moonbeam Award for Best Series, Readers' Favorite Award, Family Choice Gold Award, and Mom's Choice Gold Award.
Kat thinks these stories found her because she needed them as a young girl. After struggling with the sudden loss of two siblings and considering quitting as a writer, her quest for meaning led her to one simple act: a smile. Kat calls her smile a "U-shaped bridge" over troubled waters, filling the void between fear and love. Her smile was a powerful "YES!" It opened her to the extraordinary wonder of life as she found her full, braveheart. Her stories inspire her and readers everywhere to reconnect with their bravehearts by catching CATCH-M every day. CATCH-M is the gift of love's wondrous spark in all of our hearts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
January 8, 2019
Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com
Love Big is all about learning that being kind to others really isn’t that hard to do. Set in the African Savanna, Baboon closely watches his friends. They have become grumpy since the land became dry and they became hungry.
Through random kind acts, the animals learn that they might be hungry, tired, thirsty but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be kind to their fellow animals. It makes for a better living environment.
The book is filled with full-page bright, colourful illustrations that bring the African landscape and the animals to life. The expressions that have been drawn on the animals are really quite something.
At the back of the book is a guide for young children to read and learn all about how to be kind to others. There are also creative lessons too, making rhino horns and a lions crown, plus many more.
This is a book that would work well in schools. It is a story that will make children stop and think and anything that encourages kindness is simply worth reading. It is beautiful the whole way through and thoroughly enjoyable.
Love Big is all about learning that being kind to others really isn’t that hard to do. Set in the African Savanna, Baboon closely watches his friends. They have become grumpy since the land became dry and they became hungry.
Through random kind acts, the animals learn that they might be hungry, tired, thirsty but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be kind to their fellow animals. It makes for a better living environment.
The book is filled with full-page bright, colourful illustrations that bring the African landscape and the animals to life. The expressions that have been drawn on the animals are really quite something.
At the back of the book is a guide for young children to read and learn all about how to be kind to others. There are also creative lessons too, making rhino horns and a lions crown, plus many more.
This is a book that would work well in schools. It is a story that will make children stop and think and anything that encourages kindness is simply worth reading. It is beautiful the whole way through and thoroughly enjoyable.
December 16, 2018
This book is teaching us that being kind it is not so hard after all. The illustrations are nice.
Thank you Netgalley for this book.
Thank you Netgalley for this book.
March 26, 2019
I don't even know what I just read. The instruction manual for a new children's cult? Half the time, I thought the author must've been high on something.
Look, there's nothing wrong with writing books to inspire. But this one just hits you over the head. Also, it's weird. The pages of notes at the end further contribute to the feelings of confusion and disorientation. The termites are supposedly leaving hints throughout the book, like little riddles to be solved, but when I looked at the answers, I thought they were pretty obscure (and I'm coming at it as an adult reader). The notes are also strange because they talk about stuff that wasn't even mentioned in the book itself. This "CATCH-M" business is only talked about in the synopsis and the end notes. I'm still not sure what this kiddie acid trip is all about:
(That's copied and pasted from the end notes. If you can decipher that, you'll probably like this book more than I did.)
The whole "too-gather" business (what does that even mean?) and the overly modern and colloquial language in the rest of the book just turned me right off. There's talk of poop, bums, being buff, animals calling each other "dude"... And don't even get me started on the punctuation of the dialogue.
Some of the illustrations are quite nice to look at; they're perhaps the book's only saving grace. Unfortunately, the rest of it is just a chaotic mess.
Thank you to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group for providing a digital ARC.
Look, there's nothing wrong with writing books to inspire. But this one just hits you over the head. Also, it's weird. The pages of notes at the end further contribute to the feelings of confusion and disorientation. The termites are supposedly leaving hints throughout the book, like little riddles to be solved, but when I looked at the answers, I thought they were pretty obscure (and I'm coming at it as an adult reader). The notes are also strange because they talk about stuff that wasn't even mentioned in the book itself. This "CATCH-M" business is only talked about in the synopsis and the end notes. I'm still not sure what this kiddie acid trip is all about:
CATCH-M is the name of The Magical, Mystical, Miraculous Star-dust that surrounds us, who can “WHOOSH” into our lives when INVITED by SHARED SMILES to “WHAM” IGNITE through our belief the gift of STAR-DUST in our CHESTS, giving us the extra faith and courage we need to LOVE big & achieve our DREAMS.
Baby Baboon came up with this catchy nickname as our reminder. She also has some fun things you can do alone, with family, friends, or in a classroom to celebrate LOVE as we all go on adventures to “catch CATCH-M” too-gather!
(That's copied and pasted from the end notes. If you can decipher that, you'll probably like this book more than I did.)
The whole "too-gather" business (what does that even mean?) and the overly modern and colloquial language in the rest of the book just turned me right off. There's talk of poop, bums, being buff, animals calling each other "dude"... And don't even get me started on the punctuation of the dialogue.
Some of the illustrations are quite nice to look at; they're perhaps the book's only saving grace. Unfortunately, the rest of it is just a chaotic mess.
Thank you to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group for providing a digital ARC.
February 14, 2019
This book has two things going for it, great illustrations and some fun activities at the end.
Love Big is about learning that being kind to others is an easy thing to do and it will reap rewards. The story is set in the African Savanna, reminiscent of The Lion King. Baboon watches his friends who have become grumpy since the land became dry and they became hungry. Through random acts of kindness, the animals learn that they might be hungry, tired, thirsty but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be kind to their fellow animals. It makes for a better living environment. This is a great message, but it is done in a really cheesy way. I read a lot of children's books and this one missed the mark just a bit.
The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
Love Big is about learning that being kind to others is an easy thing to do and it will reap rewards. The story is set in the African Savanna, reminiscent of The Lion King. Baboon watches his friends who have become grumpy since the land became dry and they became hungry. Through random acts of kindness, the animals learn that they might be hungry, tired, thirsty but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be kind to their fellow animals. It makes for a better living environment. This is a great message, but it is done in a really cheesy way. I read a lot of children's books and this one missed the mark just a bit.
The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
February 11, 2019
Love Big has a great message but at times it felt a little too "wordy' to keep the attention span of my 6-year-old. I think this might be a great picture book to read with kids around the age of 7-8 because the writing and pages without text were wonderful for starting a dialogue about this important and timely topic.
I did love that it focused on the importance of kindness and supporting one and the illustrations were beautifully done. Thank you to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group for a copy of this book.
I did love that it focused on the importance of kindness and supporting one and the illustrations were beautifully done. Thank you to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group for a copy of this book.
May 7, 2020
Love Big has themes of kindness and compassion. It has unique characters like the dung beetle which is fun and has good illustrations. However, it falls short because it has too much going on. For a read aloud, it has way too much text and some sentences that aren't full sentences and some odd vocabulary. There are better books about kindness out there.
January 2, 2019
Being kind isn't so hard after all - what a great message. I appreciated how the book's artwork allowed the reader to create their own narrative within in the boundaries of the author's words. The story is timely and needed. The artwork was absolutely beautiful.
Thank you for sharing this book with me.
Thank you for sharing this book with me.
May 11, 2020
I liked the illustrations. But that was about it. I don’t know if I’m overthinking these books, but this one started rubbing me the wrong way right from the beginning when the author makes fun of rhinos’ prehensile upper lip which she claims “shows their rude, whiny ways”. What?
Then, each of the animals that pass by Baboon in this installment have to be taught how to share their food, and for sharing they’re rewarded (the bunny learns to hop apparently, the lion gets crowned the king of beasts, etc.). Somehow we were supposed to equate sharing with love, but honestly, every one of these animals shared their food out of self-preservation to survive (the bunny would have starved/frozen and the lion would’ve been killed by the lionesses attacking him...). They did not learn to share out of love.
Then don’t even get me started on the weird endnotes. There are activities that are confusing even to me as an adult (can anyone actually decifer these termite riddles??) and it bothers me to no end that many of the outside activities just say “visit the author’s website” - hello, privilege. Not every child has internet at home, so if you want them doing short activities, just print it right there in the book! #endrant
Then, each of the animals that pass by Baboon in this installment have to be taught how to share their food, and for sharing they’re rewarded (the bunny learns to hop apparently, the lion gets crowned the king of beasts, etc.). Somehow we were supposed to equate sharing with love, but honestly, every one of these animals shared their food out of self-preservation to survive (the bunny would have starved/frozen and the lion would’ve been killed by the lionesses attacking him...). They did not learn to share out of love.
Then don’t even get me started on the weird endnotes. There are activities that are confusing even to me as an adult (can anyone actually decifer these termite riddles??) and it bothers me to no end that many of the outside activities just say “visit the author’s website” - hello, privilege. Not every child has internet at home, so if you want them doing short activities, just print it right there in the book! #endrant
April 11, 2020
Like the previous book, the illustrations and some of the positive messages are great for kids to read. But this one was a bit more cheesy and confusing than the first one. The message is that you should be kind to other and work together so that all can achieve their dreams/have a better life. At least that's the message I'm getting. But the scientific notes didn't always connect directly to what was going on in the story--it felt like a disruption. I get the feeling that young kids would lose interest pretty quickly. If I were reading this to my kids in Sunday School, I think I would end up giving it my own words and using the illustrations as a guide. This book has a lot of potential, but I think it misses the mark. And some of the suggested activities at the end, especially the Catch-M, just sounds a bit too cheesy for kids to buy into.
Thanks to #KatKroenenberg and #NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to #KatKroenenberg and #NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 14, 2019
Set in Africa, this story teaches kids the art of kindness. Delightfull illustrations, that are brightly drawn take us on a journey of learning kindness vis messages sent they thru the stars. This book is the sequel to Dream Big and both these books would be an amazing addition to any child’s library. Guaranteed to be read again and again.
January 14, 2019
“LOVE BIG! Share your SMILES—Be kind! Share! Listen! Care!”
A cute book about Baboon, Rhino and little Hare who learned that life is sweeter when you are kind to others! A perfect little book for my 6 year old son to practice his first grade reading skills on!
A cute book about Baboon, Rhino and little Hare who learned that life is sweeter when you are kind to others! A perfect little book for my 6 year old son to practice his first grade reading skills on!
April 11, 2020
A follow on to Dream Big, Baboon and the gang are back with some new friends. Once again the illustrations are gorgeous though the story didn't flow as well as the first book.
May 12, 2021
A bit too nonsensical for me. The rhyming scheme did not work and the message was garbled. The jungle animals learn about caring for each other.
March 2, 2019
A fun and entertaining book about how perception can change based on the outcome and what other people (or animals) think and say. Fun filled book that is great for children. The illustrations are fabulous!! The colors are bright and engaging.
January 6, 2019
Educational, funny, nice pictures, short...
This is well done and interesting for kids!
I recommend it!
4 stars
This is well done and interesting for kids!
I recommend it!
4 stars
February 23, 2019
What darling illustrations! Just love the artistry of David Miles. Kat Kroneberg brings the animal kingdom of the savannah together in peace, harmony, and prosperity through kindness and love. If only two legged homo sapiens would follow suit! Alas, ideas to bring fruit to the very idea follows in the final pages! Even as we speak (or more accurately, as I type), my 5 year-old granddaughter is happily ahhing and cooing with the turning of each page!
February 20, 2019
Received this book as a giveaway winner. Love Big is a great kids book!! Teaches about kindness and how doing so makes them feel good. Great illustrations as well. Would definitely recommend families add it to their child's library!
May 2, 2020
I tried again and downloaded this on pdf, much better results! My kids & I enjoyed the bright colors and the story of the safari animals. Thanks to NetGalley, Greenleaf Book Group Press for this ebook copy.
January 14, 2019
The illustrations are phenomenal! That is the biggest bonus of this book. It's a sweet story with a good lesson. I wish that the author had been a bit less "wordy" but that's a preference of mine. The additional resources in the back are great. I can see this as a good read aloud for children around 8 or so.
February 21, 2019
Love the beautiful illustrations and storyline! Looking forward to getting more from this author.
December 25, 2018
I loved Miles' illustrations in this picture book. Kronenberg's story about the power of working together is magical, funny, and highly entertaining for children of all ages. This tale is a mythological fable that tells how the lion got his mane, how the hare learned to hop, the rhino learned to be kind (okay this is questionable if Rhino's are kind), and, in the end, the animals of the Savannah all learned how to get along. The last few pages (notes for two-leggers) was cute but really unnecessary and took away from the value of the story.
Thank you NetGalley and Greeleaf Book Group for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy.
Thank you NetGalley and Greeleaf Book Group for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy.
December 28, 2018
This is a cute story book for kids about being kind. I loved the artwork, but found the writing to be a little cheesy. The added activities at the end are a nice bonus though.
December 18, 2018
An amusing and educational fun read with vibrant colorful and brilliant illustrations that would captivate any child. These illustrations made me laugh so I can imagine when the fun kids would have when reading this cute book. An educative fun package for any kid.
April 5, 2020
Reviewing for netgalley
I downloaded the trio of books by Kat Kronenberg and read them with my six year old. Omg is all I can say lol. These books are so adorable, I love the picture work, the characters, the inspiration from the characters. My daughter got a kick out of saying the "whoo wam" parts of the books. We sat here and read all three in one sitting she liked them so much. When we got to the beetle whose home was a ball of poop my daughter was grossed out but laughing at the same time lol. She thought it was disgusting but hilarious. I love this trio of books and hope to see more by the author. My six year old is a big fan!
I downloaded the trio of books by Kat Kronenberg and read them with my six year old. Omg is all I can say lol. These books are so adorable, I love the picture work, the characters, the inspiration from the characters. My daughter got a kick out of saying the "whoo wam" parts of the books. We sat here and read all three in one sitting she liked them so much. When we got to the beetle whose home was a ball of poop my daughter was grossed out but laughing at the same time lol. She thought it was disgusting but hilarious. I love this trio of books and hope to see more by the author. My six year old is a big fan!
June 23, 2019
Highly recommend this book! To be kind . The illustrations are just beautiful and the story has meaning! We all need a dose of this book!
February 8, 2019
I have yet to read Kat Kronenberg's first book, Dream Big, but I am glad that she recognized the need to remain a moral, kind person in the pursuit of dreams. Children need to learn that from day one, otherwise their pursuit of their dreams is all about them and they lose sight of others' needs.
The book is filled with gorgeous, engaging illustrations paired with current, colloquial normal speech. I appreciate that a character exists in the book who sets the example for how to be kind even when someone treats you poorly, rather than a typical children's book wherein the adult figure brings the wisdom down on the kids.
I can see this book working well in a classroom, in homeschool, or just as bedtime reading for all preschool and elementary aged kids. It takes courage to be kind in the face of adversity and we need more courageous people in this world.
The book is filled with gorgeous, engaging illustrations paired with current, colloquial normal speech. I appreciate that a character exists in the book who sets the example for how to be kind even when someone treats you poorly, rather than a typical children's book wherein the adult figure brings the wisdom down on the kids.
I can see this book working well in a classroom, in homeschool, or just as bedtime reading for all preschool and elementary aged kids. It takes courage to be kind in the face of adversity and we need more courageous people in this world.
February 10, 2019
Kronenberg's Love Big follows Baboon’s adventures on the African Savanna. Drought has come to the savanna, and the animals begin to grow mean and selfish as food becomes scarce. After seeing an act of kindness by Rhinoceros, Baboon sees how things change, and tries out his theory by helping Lion. Can Baboon help the other savanna animals learn the value of kindness? This was a cute read with lovely artwork. Baboon's lesson spreads, though each savanna resident learns something different. One important lesson is how to maintain your kindness even when people treat you nasty. At the end is a section of suggestions for kids on how to be kind to others. This would be a great addition to any classroom, or kid's library.
***Many thanks to Netgalley & Greenleaf Book Group for providing an ecopy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
***Many thanks to Netgalley & Greenleaf Book Group for providing an ecopy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
May 5, 2019
I won this book on good reads first reads, Thank you!
This book was excellent, my son asked me to read it over and over.
He loved watching for the catch m star dust.
This book was excellent, my son asked me to read it over and over.
He loved watching for the catch m star dust.
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August 12, 2024Using colorful and attractive illustrations of animals, "Love Big" teaches children about loving others by being kind to them, sharing with them, listening to them, and caring for them. This book is very reminiscent of Disney's "The Lion King." This is a sweet book to read to young children.
I received this book from NetGalley and the book's publisher in exchange for my honest review, for which I am very grateful.
I received this book from NetGalley and the book's publisher in exchange for my honest review, for which I am very grateful.
April 28, 2019
This book is so cute! I absolutely loved it and cannot wait to teach my grandkids to read with it. This is great for new readers and a good tool for teaching. The book also carries a strong message on relationship building.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews