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Big: a Little Story about Respect and Self-Esteem
Circus Wilson has many famous performers. One of them is Lee the flea. But Lee has a problem: He is little. The audience never really can see him, only his sparkling and distinctive yellow pants.
One day he takes a decision that will change his life forever.
See how Lee’s defection causes so much uproar in the Circus Wilson. Lee does matter, and watching Director Wilson as he searches for Lee is entertaining indeed. Where could a flea be hiding, anyway?
The vivid color illustrations of this book make reading very easy and funny. The text is simple and partly repetitive, suitable for early age learning. A book to help children who feel overlooked and like they just don't matter.
For kids ages 3+.
One day he takes a decision that will change his life forever.
See how Lee’s defection causes so much uproar in the Circus Wilson. Lee does matter, and watching Director Wilson as he searches for Lee is entertaining indeed. Where could a flea be hiding, anyway?
The vivid color illustrations of this book make reading very easy and funny. The text is simple and partly repetitive, suitable for early age learning. A book to help children who feel overlooked and like they just don't matter.
For kids ages 3+.
32 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2018
69 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Ingo Blum
85 books26 followersIngo Blum is a German author and comedian. His journey to becoming a children’s book author began during his day job. He has always enjoyed projects where he could create artwork for kids. Eventually, he became a writer and graphic designer in the evenings - and started writing children's stories to accompany these projects for fun. With some encouragement from his friends and family (and a lot of kids!), he decided to share his stories with the world.
Ingo works with illustrators from all over the world with whom he constantly develops new concepts and stories.
Please visit him at www.ingoblumbooks.com
or https://www.facebook.com/ingoblumauthor/
Ingo works with illustrators from all over the world with whom he constantly develops new concepts and stories.
Please visit him at www.ingoblumbooks.com
or https://www.facebook.com/ingoblumauthor/
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 30, 2019
We're only as big as we choose to be
A short, charmingly thoughtful tale, that somehow manages to make fleas cute. The art is lovely.
A short, charmingly thoughtful tale, that somehow manages to make fleas cute. The art is lovely.
May 2, 2019
This tale relates the story of Lee, a flea, who performs with the circus. Lee’s performance is popular, but Lee is dismayed because he can’t be seen as the other performers in the circus. One day, Lee disappears shortly before his performance. The Director of the circus goes into the forest they just passed through to search for Lee. Along the way, readers meet several characters who have an itch, but none of these itches are due to Lee landing on them. After Lee spies the Director, he decides to reveal the reason he has run away. Will the Director be able to come up with a plan to induce Lee to return to the circus?
The message that everyone has unique talents and is special in his own way is an important one for young children to understand. This book is targeted toward preschoolers and primary grade children. I am not sure that the message is clear. Young children will probably need some adult guidance in order to make it clear. The book has several vibrant illustrations. The text uses a lot of passive voice and it is a bit choppy in spots. Recommended for readers in the three to eight-year-old age range.
The message that everyone has unique talents and is special in his own way is an important one for young children to understand. This book is targeted toward preschoolers and primary grade children. I am not sure that the message is clear. Young children will probably need some adult guidance in order to make it clear. The book has several vibrant illustrations. The text uses a lot of passive voice and it is a bit choppy in spots. Recommended for readers in the three to eight-year-old age range.
July 25, 2021
🔎Cute story with minor issues 🎪
The illustrations are full of bright colors and characters to attract and keep a young child's interest. The story is good and I liked that the English and French were printed on the same page so the vocabulary was easy to compare and learn.
I did not really see a clear connection between the purported message about respect and self-esteem. Basically, the flea is ingenious and solves the problem of the audience finding it difficult to see his performance, but he actually copies the bigger performers' moves so it did not convey for me a sense that the flea appreciates his own unique talents.
As to the bilingual text, I am a fan of giving children exposure to other languages at a young age. That said, a few of the translations to English did not work. The forest ranger was scratching not scraping himself, and the last line in English lost the sense of the French ending.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
The illustrations are full of bright colors and characters to attract and keep a young child's interest. The story is good and I liked that the English and French were printed on the same page so the vocabulary was easy to compare and learn.
I did not really see a clear connection between the purported message about respect and self-esteem. Basically, the flea is ingenious and solves the problem of the audience finding it difficult to see his performance, but he actually copies the bigger performers' moves so it did not convey for me a sense that the flea appreciates his own unique talents.
As to the bilingual text, I am a fan of giving children exposure to other languages at a young age. That said, a few of the translations to English did not work. The forest ranger was scratching not scraping himself, and the last line in English lost the sense of the French ending.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
May 22, 2019
I think the idea of being different but finding a way to shine is a positive one, but I wasn't sure why it was about respect and self-esteem. I can see that when you shine given the gift you are born with (your physical body, your talent, etc.) you can get respected and also help increase your self-esteem but that in itself is a very deep lesson. Considering that it's not an easy writing especially to convey to little children, I think the work is commendable. I didn't give it a 5 star because I personally could not relate to the flea being in a circus when a circus in itself is a system I don't agree with and don't want to promote. I wouldn't want to be recognized by conforming to the expectation of the crowd and the world I have to live in. But again, I commend the author for making this book happen when it's not an easy job to do so. I'm thankful for the positivity I saw.
July 12, 2020
Lee the flea works for Circus Wilson. When Lee performs his tricks, the only thing the audience see are his sparkling yellow pants. Lee wants to be bigger, so he leaves the circus to think. When it comes time for Lee to perform, no one can find him. Where do you think Lee is?
This book has a sensational way to explain the issue, self-esteem and respect, so littles understand. Bright, colorful illustrations will keep their attention. Talking about the story will help cement the lessons in your littles mind. I found this book delightful.
I found no issues.
I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because these lessons are so important. copy of book provided by author and I voluntarily reviewed it.
This book has a sensational way to explain the issue, self-esteem and respect, so littles understand. Bright, colorful illustrations will keep their attention. Talking about the story will help cement the lessons in your littles mind. I found this book delightful.
I found no issues.
I gave this one 5 cheers out of 5 because these lessons are so important. copy of book provided by author and I voluntarily reviewed it.
August 17, 2021
This was super cute! My kids and I love the idea of a circus and the idea of a flea being part of the circus was a fun idea. My kids got a kick out of that. This was also a cute example of learning to be okay with oneself because you can be whatever you want to be. I think this is a great book for young children! They’re always looking up to other people but it’s also good to remind them that they are important, that they’re the best at being themselves and no one else, and that everyone is different and always brings something new. Great book for young children! Definitely recommend!
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
March 10, 2021
Here is a very unusual story about a flea. The story is unique and wholesome. The illustrations are breath taking. There are coloring pages of Lee the Flea in the back of the print edition. I highly recommend this book for 3-7 year olds. This is a story about respect.
The tiniest act in the Circus Wilson is Lee the Flea. He performed sumersaults and jumped through the eye of a needle with a burning eye. The others acts made fun of him. What did he do?
The tiniest act in the Circus Wilson is Lee the Flea. He performed sumersaults and jumped through the eye of a needle with a burning eye. The others acts made fun of him. What did he do?
November 19, 2018
*I recieved a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
I read this book with my 5 year old son, it didn't hold his interest very well. He did however like the brightly colored photos and helping the circus director search for the Flea.
I thought it was a nice childrens story about not fitting it, but finding a way you do.
I read this book with my 5 year old son, it didn't hold his interest very well. He did however like the brightly colored photos and helping the circus director search for the Flea.
I thought it was a nice childrens story about not fitting it, but finding a way you do.
July 20, 2019
Actual rating 3.5.
This book was not what I was expecting but still a cute story. For some reason, I had trouble really connecting with the simple plot, but I did like the cute little flea. I also liked that the images were really bright.
Not sure I'd recommend it to just any young reader. But I could see it being a good fit for just the right kid.
This book was not what I was expecting but still a cute story. For some reason, I had trouble really connecting with the simple plot, but I did like the cute little flea. I also liked that the images were really bright.
Not sure I'd recommend it to just any young reader. But I could see it being a good fit for just the right kid.
November 6, 2019
This is a cute book. The main character, the little flea is cute and colourful. The background is attractive and has the excitement of a circus. I would hesitate about establishing a age for this book. The cute little character would probably appeal to 3-5 year olds but the content seems a bit advanced for that age group.
November 19, 2018
An adorable circus story about a flea who wants to be seen doing his tricks.. Great illustrations and a story children will love!
I was gifted an ARC in return of an honest review.
I was gifted an ARC in return of an honest review.
April 24, 2019
Love the illustration and tag line “It takes so little to be big”. I dont think the story is well understood by children though.
April 24, 2019
I didn't know where the story was going, but I was really glad I stuck through to the end. Happy to read this to my kid, it's lovely.
April 29, 2019
A cute little story with a wonderful message.
September 25, 2019
3.5 stars
January 22, 2023
Great learning experience
My daughter thinks it is a great book and shows that just because someone is small doe s not mean they do not have great ideas.
My daughter thinks it is a great book and shows that just because someone is small doe s not mean they do not have great ideas.
March 30, 2025
Ihan kiva tarina, mutta kuvitus ei valitettavasti ollut kovin innostava.
November 23, 2018
This book for children, written by Ingo Blum and illustrated by Antonio Pahetti, is an excellent story that has the moral that no matter what size you are (literally or metaphorically), you are still important and can contribute something, promoting dignity and self-respect. I really liked the book and so did my nieces, and I would definitely recommend it to other children, big or small.
NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions
NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions
February 4, 2022
Too Many Mistakes
In general, I like this author’s imaginative bilingual children’s books. Unfortunately, the quality of the books varies. This one had language errors (especially punctuation) in both the English and French versions. This could have been a fun book about a tiny flea who has bigger ambitions, but these errors marred it. As children learn from everywhere—even books like this—I don’t feel like I can recommend this particular book. Children’s books should always be 100% from those types of mistakes.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
In general, I like this author’s imaginative bilingual children’s books. Unfortunately, the quality of the books varies. This one had language errors (especially punctuation) in both the English and French versions. This could have been a fun book about a tiny flea who has bigger ambitions, but these errors marred it. As children learn from everywhere—even books like this—I don’t feel like I can recommend this particular book. Children’s books should always be 100% from those types of mistakes.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
April 24, 2019
Respect for a Flea
It is short.
It shows how the Circus missed Lee, the flea.
Illustrations are colorful.
Grandkids enjoyed along with grandma... :)
It is short.
It shows how the Circus missed Lee, the flea.
Illustrations are colorful.
Grandkids enjoyed along with grandma... :)
April 29, 2019
Cute
This was a really cute story with a good message. I think children will love to read this book. I enjoyed it!
This was a really cute story with a good message. I think children will love to read this book. I enjoyed it!
May 5, 2019
We love your book
My grandsons loved this story and want me to read it again and again. They like Lee the flea a lot
My grandsons loved this story and want me to read it again and again. They like Lee the flea a lot
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews