If Big Can... I Can...

by Beth Shoshan, Petra Brown (Illustrator)

If Big can run...then I can run. If Big can jump...then I can jump.

Sometimes it's hard to be small, but small bears can still wish to do everything big bears can do! This delightful celebration of friendship encourages children to stretch their muscles, their imaginations, and their goals.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

24 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Beth Shoshan was born in Brighton. She never seemed destined to be 
a children's writer, after all she 
had failed English Composition.
 But everything changed when she
 was challenged by Meadowside 
to write the most inappropriate
 children's book imaginable - it
 should contain sweets, explosions 
and arcane English words. She 
did, and Smidge became an instant 
best-seller. Now with over 30 titles 
to her name, Beth has become one
 of the most successful children's
 authors of the past few years.

- excerpted from Meadowside Children's Books

Reviews

[Kim Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming story for anyone who has ever felt small - perfect for the younger sibling! The illustrations capture how the little bear feels afraid and less capable sometimes. Most importantly, the gentle story points out that it's being together that really matters.

[Elli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. Her story through the eyes of a young refugee woman. Very little I can say without putting in spoilers, and that especially should not be done with this book. Any and all responses need to be had by the reader include opinions related to what has and is happening. And how the various situations resolve themselves.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, strikingly intense book. BEautifully written, evocative and shattering. You can't put it down...

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Koala thinks that "If Big can," he can! And he tries his best! But eventually, he tires of NOT being able to do all that Big can do. Koala goes off on his own where he CAN do things. The only problem is Big is not there, and he is lonely. He returns to find Big because even if he can't do all Big can do, it's better to TRY to do things together.

Teaching points: friendship, being alone vs. being together

Grade level: K-1

Location: LES library

Related reads:

[Mely · Rating 2 out of 5]

this is a wonderful message to teach children, however the writing style is just a little bit off. Sometimes the text rhymes and has a nice pace, but then on the following page there is no rhyme and pace. book just seems all over the place.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book for young children. It's about the friendship between a big bear and a small koala. It has beautifully illustrated pages and a minimum amount of text. It can be enjoyed over and over!

[Audrey Widjaja · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this not too long since the big fire in Australia and it wrecked my heart. In this book, i saw the koala run, play, hide, and smile. I am so, so, so, glad to read this book.

[Nicole Stanton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t like they named one of the main characters “Big.”

[an · Rating 3 out of 5]

ternyata banyak seri na. selain bersahabat dengan yang beda ukuran, di sini diperkenalkan kembali konsep persahabatan dari sesuatu yang berbeda. tak hanya ukuran tapi juga jenis. beruang dan koala.

kadang kita ngerasa enak na jadi yang besar, bisa melakukan apapun. dan kita tertarik untuk mencoba menjadi demikian. tapi... sebenar na kita juga punya dunia kecil yang indah yang tak kalah menarik dengan yagn dilakukan big. bahkan apa kita punya malah tidak mampu atau tidak dimiliki big.

jadi adik-adik, jangan merasa kecil dengan ukuran kalian. karena dunia kecil yang kalian punya adalah milik kalian yang mungkin tidak bisa atau tidak akan pernah bisa dimasukin kemabi oleh mereka yang telah menjadi besar (baca dewasa ;))

-32-

[Patricia McCowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about two friends, a small koala bear, and Big, a large brown bear. The story is told from the point of view of the koala. He is worried because Big can do all these things bigger and better and faster than he can. He can do things that Big cannot but feels lonely by himself so he sets aside the differences to be with his friend. The words are simple and easy for younger readers. The illustrations are so simple with earth tone colors but are so very cute and touching. The story, although meant for younger readers is very cute and has a really good story. The lessons in it can be taught to all ages and the book overall is heartwarming. I thought the book was really cute and it made me warm inside.

[Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really sweet story. I wish it had been in rhyme, but otherwise can't fault it. It's a nice story, that shows us all the things big bear can do and all the things little bear can do and concludes that the things they can do together are the most fun! I happened across it today and I think it'll be a lovely book for my friend's pint-sized little girl!

[Christopher Obert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a children’s book that teaches children that there are things that “Big” can do that “Small” cannot do. But fear not, there are things that small can do that big cannot! The story goes on to tell that big and small and find fun and adventure together. Big is illustrated as a big brown bear and small is illustrated as a small koala bear.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. I really liked the illustrations. I was thinking that if the book hadn't been illustrated, I never would have assumed that it was about a pair of bears. Still, the text was was nice on its own. Together, they made quite a pair.

[Magda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a brilliant short story showing our kids that everything is possible. You just have to try.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have a differnt book of this the one on the sea-saw front.

[Marissa Pezzullo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this book would be a great read for a child who is adjusting. Usually when a child begins to adjust they try to follow. This book would show them that it is okay to watch and learn.

[Aaron Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shoshan, B. (2006). If Big can... I can. London: Meadowside Children's Books.