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Not So Small: An Empowering Picture Book About Using Your Voice for Children
All Are Welcome meets Sometimes People March in this uplifting picture book with an empowering No matter your size, you can do big things. This joyful book celebrates the many ways people can join together to become something bigger—an unstoppable force. Each and every one of us can use our voices to make a difference! The lyrical text by New York Times bestselling author Pat Zietlow Miller is brought to life with vibrant illustrations by Paola Escobar. This stirring book will inspire readers of all ages. A small voice can travel for miles. Showing kindness. Hope. And love.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published May 3, 2022
1 person is currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Pat Zietlow Miller
30 books250 followersPat Zietlow Miller knew she wanted to be a writer ever since her seventh-grade English teacher read her paper about square-dancing skirts out loud in class and said: “This is the first time anything a student has written has given me chills.” (Thanks, Mrs. Mueller! You rock!)
Pat started out as a newspaper reporter and wrote about everything from dartball and deer-hunting to diets and decoupage. Then, she joined an insurance company and edited its newsletter and magazine.
Now, she writes insurance information by day and children’s books by night. She has 11 picture books available and 12 more that will be coming out in the next few years.
Her books in print are: SOPHIE’S SQUASH, WHEREVER YOU GO, SHARING THE BREAD, THE QUICKEST KID IN CLARKSVILLE, SOPHIE'S SQUASH GO TO SCHOOL, WIDE-AWAKE BEAR, LORETTA'S GIFT, BE KIND, REMARKABLY YOU, MY BROTHER THE DUCK and WHEN YOU ARE BRAVE.
Pat has one wonderful husband, two delightful daughters and two pampered cats. She doesn’t watch much TV, but she does love "Chopped." Pat lives in Madison, Wisconsin.
Pat started out as a newspaper reporter and wrote about everything from dartball and deer-hunting to diets and decoupage. Then, she joined an insurance company and edited its newsletter and magazine.
Now, she writes insurance information by day and children’s books by night. She has 11 picture books available and 12 more that will be coming out in the next few years.
Her books in print are: SOPHIE’S SQUASH, WHEREVER YOU GO, SHARING THE BREAD, THE QUICKEST KID IN CLARKSVILLE, SOPHIE'S SQUASH GO TO SCHOOL, WIDE-AWAKE BEAR, LORETTA'S GIFT, BE KIND, REMARKABLY YOU, MY BROTHER THE DUCK and WHEN YOU ARE BRAVE.
Pat has one wonderful husband, two delightful daughters and two pampered cats. She doesn’t watch much TV, but she does love "Chopped." Pat lives in Madison, Wisconsin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 12, 2022
Big things get noticed, this book tells us, but even small things can have impact. If children feel small, they can share their concerns and gather friends who can help them express their opinions by writing, walking, and letting their voices be heard. Joining with others is a great way to help the small become noticed and for change to occur.
Good Points
This is an inspirational call to action that goes along well with books like McCullough's Ruffled Feathers, Barton's Moving Forward, and Mucha's A Girl's Bill of Rights. Families who are involved in social activism will find this a good way to explain what they are trying to accomplish to young readers, and it's also helpful as a reminder to children to "Look for the helpers", as Mr. Fred Rogers once suggested, when there are events in the news that make them feel small. They can not only look for the helpers, but try to be them.
Paola Escobar's colorful illustrations give a lot of energy to the spare text, and felt a little bit like the 1960s illustration style I remember from my childhood books. This gives a hopeful feeling to the book, and the range of cultural representation in the myriad of faces depicted was great to see. This is an empowering title that will help little ones understand that they, too, can have an effect on the world.
Good Points
This is an inspirational call to action that goes along well with books like McCullough's Ruffled Feathers, Barton's Moving Forward, and Mucha's A Girl's Bill of Rights. Families who are involved in social activism will find this a good way to explain what they are trying to accomplish to young readers, and it's also helpful as a reminder to children to "Look for the helpers", as Mr. Fred Rogers once suggested, when there are events in the news that make them feel small. They can not only look for the helpers, but try to be them.
Paola Escobar's colorful illustrations give a lot of energy to the spare text, and felt a little bit like the 1960s illustration style I remember from my childhood books. This gives a hopeful feeling to the book, and the range of cultural representation in the myriad of faces depicted was great to see. This is an empowering title that will help little ones understand that they, too, can have an effect on the world.
May 3, 2022
Whenever I read this book, I think of all the times in history that children have made a difference. Often, throughout American history, children have participated or led movements that have changed law and even the Constitution. The boycott of tuna to save dolphins, the Newsboys Strike, the Little Rock Nine, Black Lives Matter, and even the 26th Amendment have been spearheaded by children, showing they can have a powerful voice for change in America. A lot of reports have documented a rise in anxiety among our youth in recent years, worry over war, gun violence, and climate change. I see this book as a positive way to take those valid concerns and move them toward progress.
January 3, 2023
Kids, no matter how small, have a voice that can be used to be a part of something bigger and enact & impact change. Another inspiring and uplifting picture book from Pat Zietlow Miller! This one's theme of social justice and helpfulness and acts of kindness and working for the greater good would pair beautifully with Speak Up (Paul & Glenn), Sometimes People March (Allen), & You Are Revolutionary (Wang Brandt & Bontigao).
July 10, 2024
Big, loud things get attention, and sometimes that can make people feel small. But one small action can carry a message and get more people involved. And when you get lots of people together, then they are heard!
Didn't blow me away, but decent.
Didn't blow me away, but decent.
March 10, 2022
Cute, charming, colourful illustrations propping up a nice story about the power of social movements.
July 28, 2022
An annoying hippy story written by an activist that wants to make the next generation as annoying as they are. First, when everybody asks you to care about everything, you care about nothing. Second, with all the protests about literally everything, it accomplishes nothing but annoys everyone. There's more to life than the issues, and more to the issues than protests. Cartoons were pretty, but this was more about "THE MESSAGE" than it was getting people to express themselves. Stand up for what we tell you to, not what your conviction is, what is right, or anything like that. That's brainwashing. What do people not get about this? Why can't kids stories be for kids instead of tickling the fancies of a liberal parent?
July 6, 2022
This features young people as the stars. Kids are front and center on every spread, but the action is achieved through a third-person narrator rather than using a more predictable direct address to the young figures, a "YOU" approach.
In this manner the narrator uses sentences with more general phrases like "one person", a "small voice", "talkers", "writers", and "walkers". This approach allows space for the illustrator to portray young people of diverse backgrounds in various activism scenes, ones in which every child will feel they are the object of the narrator's message. Physical differences, identities, and demeanors in illustrations naturally extol every child to find themselves within its pages. Each remains "small", in contrast with enormous buildings and issues. The steps that each ONE can take are stated and viewed in practical terms, but yield a powerful impact as they combine their voices, efforts, and commitments to be "heard". They leave an impact that is "not small...at ALL."
I grew up in the Viet Nam protest years, which included multiple other actions and causes involving public demonstrations, petitions, and campaigns, both pro and con. At that time there were few if any young children visible in newspaper or media coverage, except, of course, for teens/college students who populated most of these events. The noteworthy exception to that were some of the many CIVIL RIGHTS demonstrations, sit-ins, and even arrests which came to include children (See MARCHING FOR FREEDOM:Walk Together Children and Don't Grow Weary, written by Elizabeth Partrtidge: VIKING BYR, 2009).
There were no picture books addressing protest activity, and certainly none placing children front and center. None that celebrated the strength and authority of young children acting and using their voices to make a difference in an enormous world, yet the one they inhabit and will inherit. The marchers and their causes in this picture book do not advocate for or against, do not specify topics or themes, but allow any young person who feels committed to matters close their hearts to believe in and pursue their ultimate ability to make a difference. This, in fact, is a call to seek out others, to act locally and gradually see their global connections. It is a powerful call to arm themselves with clarity of thinking, collaboration, determination, community action, and commitment.
Roaring Brook Press, 2022
In this manner the narrator uses sentences with more general phrases like "one person", a "small voice", "talkers", "writers", and "walkers". This approach allows space for the illustrator to portray young people of diverse backgrounds in various activism scenes, ones in which every child will feel they are the object of the narrator's message. Physical differences, identities, and demeanors in illustrations naturally extol every child to find themselves within its pages. Each remains "small", in contrast with enormous buildings and issues. The steps that each ONE can take are stated and viewed in practical terms, but yield a powerful impact as they combine their voices, efforts, and commitments to be "heard". They leave an impact that is "not small...at ALL."
I grew up in the Viet Nam protest years, which included multiple other actions and causes involving public demonstrations, petitions, and campaigns, both pro and con. At that time there were few if any young children visible in newspaper or media coverage, except, of course, for teens/college students who populated most of these events. The noteworthy exception to that were some of the many CIVIL RIGHTS demonstrations, sit-ins, and even arrests which came to include children (See MARCHING FOR FREEDOM:Walk Together Children and Don't Grow Weary, written by Elizabeth Partrtidge: VIKING BYR, 2009).
There were no picture books addressing protest activity, and certainly none placing children front and center. None that celebrated the strength and authority of young children acting and using their voices to make a difference in an enormous world, yet the one they inhabit and will inherit. The marchers and their causes in this picture book do not advocate for or against, do not specify topics or themes, but allow any young person who feels committed to matters close their hearts to believe in and pursue their ultimate ability to make a difference. This, in fact, is a call to seek out others, to act locally and gradually see their global connections. It is a powerful call to arm themselves with clarity of thinking, collaboration, determination, community action, and commitment.
Roaring Brook Press, 2022
July 25, 2022
Pat Zietlow Miller has always inspired in her children books. This book is a call to action. Find your concern and use your voice to make a difference. Your single voice may lead to a volume of voices offering hope, love, kindness, and purpose to each of us. Alone we are a small singular voice, but together we make a difference. Illustrations by Paola Escobar are marvelous. (My only sadness was losing some of the art in the gutter on full page spreads!)
Wow! If you need a social emotional read aloud before doing a writing campaign about how elections matter, how our earth needs our help, or how our communities can make a positive change this is your anthem! I see this book as a first purchase for all who serve in libraries.
Wow! If you need a social emotional read aloud before doing a writing campaign about how elections matter, how our earth needs our help, or how our communities can make a positive change this is your anthem! I see this book as a first purchase for all who serve in libraries.
August 18, 2022
A beautiful lyrical book that demonstrates that just because you’re small doesn’t mean you can’t make a big difference. A small person can get noticed by doing small things for one or more people. That small act can inspire others to do the same. Many small actions can lead to bigger and bigger things. It’s like a tiny voice becoming an enormous ROAR that can make changes for the good. You find out that you’re NOT SO SMALL after all!
May 24, 2022
This vibrant, uplifting book emphasizes that each of us, no matter how small, has the power to make a difference in our world. Delightful illustrations and a great message--I especially liked that children supporting many different causes, from the environment to civil rights, were all marching together--something adults could learn from!
November 17, 2022
This is a great book that focuses on the topic of empowerment and portrays the message to kids that no matter the color of their skin, their size, or what they look like, they can do big things. I would love to read this book to my students when discussing social movements, but would definitely read it to children in the later years of elementary school.
December 31, 2022
I've literally read SO many books like this, and I couldn't tell you a single title or noteworthy thing about any them, including this one. This isn't a novel addition to any library at this point. Would be great if books about advocacy actually told a story. Also, on the last page there was a notable absence of even a single protest sign advocating for the rights of queer people. Big yikes.
June 16, 2022
Being small does not mean ineffective. Many small things, or people, can become strong. This is the message of this wonderful book which serves as a reminder when many become one voice they can be influential.
August 27, 2022
About all the small things in life from one acorn, one pebble, one snowflake, and one child/person. A person can get noticed by meeting people, writing letters, showing kindness and practicing fairness. And their voice can be heard.
August 17, 2024
Big, loud things get attention, and sometimes that can make people feel small. But one small action can carry a message and get more people involved. And when you get lots of people together, then they are heard!
Read
September 26, 2024Even the smallest voices can be heard. There many ways a person can have their opinion even when the big world makes you feel small. From writing letters, newsletters and postcards. Then to the capital because everyone needs equality. A peaceful protest may be needed.
January 6, 2022
Read an FNG courtesy of Harpercollins.
Great message, love the message.
Great message, love the message.
May 6, 2022
Feels very important and powerful for the times!
May 20, 2022
A great introduction on having your voice heard for children. I love the illustrations.
June 1, 2022
Demonstrating how even small things can make big impacts, this motivational story empowers young people to take action for what they believe in.
August 2, 2022
Even if you think something small can't make a difference, watch a snowflake start a snowstorm, and see the ripple effects when you find your voice.
August 8, 2022
I like the message of your don’t have to be big/loud to make a difference (being a quiet/reserved person myself). The illustrations are beautiful too.
September 20, 2022
A beautiful book about how even small voices, when they work together, can be very loud and heard. It is when we work together that we no longer feel small.
October 4, 2022
4.5 stars
Great way to empower kids that their little actions matter and add up. My 4.5yo son liked it but wasn't enthralled. Did a good job of not coming off too biased or propaganda filled.
Great way to empower kids that their little actions matter and add up. My 4.5yo son liked it but wasn't enthralled. Did a good job of not coming off too biased or propaganda filled.
January 3, 2023
For being a smaller picture book, it's quite powerful. The illustrations are great, and I love the diversity used to represent various cultures and identities.
March 19, 2023
Great book about speaking up and using your voice for positive change...no matter how "small" you are.
November 15, 2023
Young people can make a difference in this story about activism and social justice.
Want to read
April 23, 2025SM
November 11, 2025
A lovely picture book! We all feel small sometimes, but even small, we have power--especially together!
November 17, 2022
This book discusses the large impacts that small things can have on our society. Throughout the book, the author and illustrations describe the importance of coming together and combining the voices of individuals to create one larger voice to make a change. I think that this book would be a great way to begin encouraging kids to have a voice or to advocate for issues that they are passionate about.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews