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Big
This deeply moving story shares valuable lessons about fitting in, standing out, and the beauty of joyful acceptance.The first picture book written and illustrated by award-winning creator Vashti Harrison traces a child’s journey to self-love and shows the power of words to both hurt and heal. With spare text and exquisite illustrations, this emotional exploration of being big in a world that prizes small is a tender portrayal of how you can stand out and feel invisible at the same time.
60 pages, Hardcover
First published May 2, 2023
About the author
Vashti Harrison
35 books422 followersVashti Harrison, author and illustrator of the bestselling Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History, is an artist, author, and filmmaker with a passion for storytelling. She earned her MFA in film and video from California Institute of the Arts, where she snuck into animation and illustration classes to learn from Disney and DreamWorks legends. There she rekindled a love for drawing and painting. Now she uses her love for both film and illustration to craft beautiful stories for children.
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September 18, 2023
**Winner of the 2024 Caldacott Medal for most distinguished American picture book for children.**
Big by Vashti Harrison is such a beautiful picture book that will give you big feelings. Longlisted for the 2023 National Book Awards for Young People’s Literature, this is the first picture book both written and illustrated by Harrison (already well beloved for her artwork in Hair Love, Sulwe or her Little Dreamers & Little Leaders board books) and I hope she will do many more. This is a heartbreaking but important little story, one that follows a child who experiences the daily hurt of body shaming and and must find a way to make space for herself and love herself despite the cruel words of others. It it a really well done look at the small boxes social expectations try to fit everyone in, especially with oppressive "beauty" and body standards. I urge anyone with five minutes to spare to check this one out, and be ready because this is a tearjerker where we have to experience a young child feeling shame for being herself.
I knew I had to read this after Karen’s lovely review and I’m glad I did. It’s tragic to think of small children unsure what to make of being teased for something that they cannot control and weren’t even aware of until being teased, judged and compared with others. The opening broke my heart, the little girl growing up at home hearing she is loved, beautiful and a good girl then entering school with her peers to suddenly experience fatphobia and be made to feel ashamed for her body size.
Harrison makes excellent use of the page with gorgeous artwork and the way she tells the story with very minimal narration with the imagery working just as hard as any words could, makes it hit even harder. The way she uses words in the images—such as the child holding onto the hurtful words and having to learn what to do with them—was very well done. It’s also a reminder how cruel people can be, and even when faced with the effects of their actions and words they often refuse to take responsibility and double down on shaming the person who is trying to express their hurt (such as one figure who blames the girl for just “being too sensitive”). But the important lesson is to be yourself for you, to stand up for yourself, love yourself and find a way to make space for yourself. The latter is pulled off beautifully by introducing pages that unfold to quite literally give more space.
*Girl holding words said to her and saying “There are yours, they hurt me”
Big is a quiet but powerful picture book full of important lessons that doesn’t hide the harshness of society but still presents it in a palatable way that will be engaging and healing for both children and their adults reading it to them. It is a gorgeous little book and you should definitely read this, even just for yourself, because Harrison has created a very lovely work of art.
Big by Vashti Harrison is such a beautiful picture book that will give you big feelings. Longlisted for the 2023 National Book Awards for Young People’s Literature, this is the first picture book both written and illustrated by Harrison (already well beloved for her artwork in Hair Love, Sulwe or her Little Dreamers & Little Leaders board books) and I hope she will do many more. This is a heartbreaking but important little story, one that follows a child who experiences the daily hurt of body shaming and and must find a way to make space for herself and love herself despite the cruel words of others. It it a really well done look at the small boxes social expectations try to fit everyone in, especially with oppressive "beauty" and body standards. I urge anyone with five minutes to spare to check this one out, and be ready because this is a tearjerker where we have to experience a young child feeling shame for being herself.
I knew I had to read this after Karen’s lovely review and I’m glad I did. It’s tragic to think of small children unsure what to make of being teased for something that they cannot control and weren’t even aware of until being teased, judged and compared with others. The opening broke my heart, the little girl growing up at home hearing she is loved, beautiful and a good girl then entering school with her peers to suddenly experience fatphobia and be made to feel ashamed for her body size.
Harrison makes excellent use of the page with gorgeous artwork and the way she tells the story with very minimal narration with the imagery working just as hard as any words could, makes it hit even harder. The way she uses words in the images—such as the child holding onto the hurtful words and having to learn what to do with them—was very well done. It’s also a reminder how cruel people can be, and even when faced with the effects of their actions and words they often refuse to take responsibility and double down on shaming the person who is trying to express their hurt (such as one figure who blames the girl for just “being too sensitive”). But the important lesson is to be yourself for you, to stand up for yourself, love yourself and find a way to make space for yourself. The latter is pulled off beautifully by introducing pages that unfold to quite literally give more space.
*Girl holding words said to her and saying “There are yours, they hurt me”
Big is a quiet but powerful picture book full of important lessons that doesn’t hide the harshness of society but still presents it in a palatable way that will be engaging and healing for both children and their adults reading it to them. It is a gorgeous little book and you should definitely read this, even just for yourself, because Harrison has created a very lovely work of art.
September 10, 2023
Sometimes words have double-meanings for kids.
And…We need to be aware of how we sound to children when we use words with them.
Let us consider the word “big.”
When a young Black girl grows bigger than her classmates, the people around her make comments that make her feel self-conscious, then sad. When she chooses to be heard, not everyone listens or cares or even understands how their words affect her.
Words like ‘you are “big”’ can seem simply a way to describe a person as an object – like “you are such a big girl.”
But…In some ways that can actually be a form of fat shaming.
And… To have words thrown at them time and time again, as a young child can lead to many horrific forms of self-abuse, or eating disorders.
The educational value with this story, shown through the beauty of the illustrations, is the social-emotional lessons about not judging others.
The positive message in the book was to love yourself, learn compassion, and take action to support others that are different than you.
At the back of the book is an author’s note about her own experience of being labeled “big” which guided her own experience towards self-compassion.
This book would be a wonderful learning tool for reader adults to talk about with children in addressing how words impact others.
And…How important it is to not be judgmental towards others.
Everyone has their own story. Their own genetic make-up.
And…Learning how to love ourselves just as we are.
Update: I just learned that this book is a Caldecott Winner! (The Caldecott award is for "the most distinguished American picture book for children.") And this author, is the first Black woman to win it. Congratulations!
And…We need to be aware of how we sound to children when we use words with them.
Let us consider the word “big.”
When a young Black girl grows bigger than her classmates, the people around her make comments that make her feel self-conscious, then sad. When she chooses to be heard, not everyone listens or cares or even understands how their words affect her.
Words like ‘you are “big”’ can seem simply a way to describe a person as an object – like “you are such a big girl.”
But…In some ways that can actually be a form of fat shaming.
And… To have words thrown at them time and time again, as a young child can lead to many horrific forms of self-abuse, or eating disorders.
The educational value with this story, shown through the beauty of the illustrations, is the social-emotional lessons about not judging others.
The positive message in the book was to love yourself, learn compassion, and take action to support others that are different than you.
At the back of the book is an author’s note about her own experience of being labeled “big” which guided her own experience towards self-compassion.
This book would be a wonderful learning tool for reader adults to talk about with children in addressing how words impact others.
And…How important it is to not be judgmental towards others.
Everyone has their own story. Their own genetic make-up.
And…Learning how to love ourselves just as we are.
Update: I just learned that this book is a Caldecott Winner! (The Caldecott award is for "the most distinguished American picture book for children.") And this author, is the first Black woman to win it. Congratulations!
May 16, 2023
This is one of the best picture books I have ever read.
May 29, 2024
Simply phenomenal.
January 8, 2024
Whewww...Vashti Harrison does not miss!
Big was an absolutely amazing read. I was not expecting this book to be about body positivity but it definitely delivered. It follows a little girl who is considered "big" her entire life. While we don't see the impact in the beginning because she has a loving and supportive family, it does begin to chip away on her self esteem as she interacts with more of the "outside" world. This ultimately has a beautiful ending that focuses on the importance of self love. The illustrations were absolutely beautiful as expected from Vashti Harrison. This is definitely one that you don't want to miss.
Big was an absolutely amazing read. I was not expecting this book to be about body positivity but it definitely delivered. It follows a little girl who is considered "big" her entire life. While we don't see the impact in the beginning because she has a loving and supportive family, it does begin to chip away on her self esteem as she interacts with more of the "outside" world. This ultimately has a beautiful ending that focuses on the importance of self love. The illustrations were absolutely beautiful as expected from Vashti Harrison. This is definitely one that you don't want to miss.
January 12, 2025
کلمات قابلیت این رو دارن که بسازن، ویران کنن، موهبت تلقی شن و عذاب هم تحمیل کنن. بستگی داره کجا و کی، با کدوم واژه بخوای آدمی رو نشونه بگیری. چجوری قراره تعبیرش کنی؟ آیا کاربرد اون کلمه در فرهنگ لغات میگنجه؟ یا برای تو خیلی وسیعتر از یه معنای دم دستی به حساب میاد؟
به عنوان کسی که خیلی از کلمات زخم خوردم و گاهی حرفم رو به اشتباه فهمیدن، باید بگم که این دختربچهی سیاهپوست رو به طرز توصیفناپذیری درک میکنم. دختری که زندگی براش قشنگه تا زمانی که بزرگ میشه و به خاطر جثهای که داره، بزرگتر از بقیه دیده میشه. آدمها اون رو غول بیشاخ و دمی میبینن و این حس رو به دخترک منتقل میکنن که تو با این واژه تعریف میشی و در شکلگیری این سایز مقصری. از خیلی رنگها باید دل بکنی چون تو رو بزرگتر جلوه میدن. خیلی کارها رو نباید انجام بدی چون ظریف و کمرباریک نیستی. تعیین و تکلیف مشخص میکنن تا دخترک، دنیاش رو محدود و محدودتر کنه. از سلایق و علایقش دست بکشه و وجودش رو زیر سؤال ببره.
آدمها متوجه این نیستن که این کلمه قراره تو ذهن دختر نهادینه شه. فکر و خیالاتش رو کدر و روزگارش رو زهر کنه. اونا میگن و رد میشن و به تاثیر انتخاب واژه فکر نمیکنن. در نظر نمیگیرن که اون بزرگ لعنتی قراره شیرهی وجود یه طفل معصوم رو بمکه.
داستان به طرز سوررئالی از قدرت کلمات میگه، قدرتی که هم درد و هم درمانه. با صحنههایی که خلق میکنه، عظمت اون جمله و تغییر شخص رو نشون میده. این خیلی مهمه که بچهها بدونن با اظهار نظر دیگران و برچسبهایی که بهشون میزنن، تعریف نمیشن. انگشت اتهام رو به سمت خودشون نگیرن و بدونن که هر صفتی قرار نیست یه انسان رو توضیح بده.
تو همین فضا هم بارها دیدم که با چند کلمهی بیربط، نویسندهای به ناحق کوبیده شد. اثری پودر شد و کمتر کسی اعتراض کرد که حواست هست داری یه انسان رو وصف میکنی و بهتر نیست کمی رحم و مروت به خرج بدی؟ واژهها خیلی مهمن. امیدوارم بهتر ازشون استفاده کنیم و مهربانانه خرجشون کنیم.
به عنوان کسی که خیلی از کلمات زخم خوردم و گاهی حرفم رو به اشتباه فهمیدن، باید بگم که این دختربچهی سیاهپوست رو به طرز توصیفناپذیری درک میکنم. دختری که زندگی براش قشنگه تا زمانی که بزرگ میشه و به خاطر جثهای که داره، بزرگتر از بقیه دیده میشه. آدمها اون رو غول بیشاخ و دمی میبینن و این حس رو به دخترک منتقل میکنن که تو با این واژه تعریف میشی و در شکلگیری این سایز مقصری. از خیلی رنگها باید دل بکنی چون تو رو بزرگتر جلوه میدن. خیلی کارها رو نباید انجام بدی چون ظریف و کمرباریک نیستی. تعیین و تکلیف مشخص میکنن تا دخترک، دنیاش رو محدود و محدودتر کنه. از سلایق و علایقش دست بکشه و وجودش رو زیر سؤال ببره.
آدمها متوجه این نیستن که این کلمه قراره تو ذهن دختر نهادینه شه. فکر و خیالاتش رو کدر و روزگارش رو زهر کنه. اونا میگن و رد میشن و به تاثیر انتخاب واژه فکر نمیکنن. در نظر نمیگیرن که اون بزرگ لعنتی قراره شیرهی وجود یه طفل معصوم رو بمکه.
داستان به طرز سوررئالی از قدرت کلمات میگه، قدرتی که هم درد و هم درمانه. با صحنههایی که خلق میکنه، عظمت اون جمله و تغییر شخص رو نشون میده. این خیلی مهمه که بچهها بدونن با اظهار نظر دیگران و برچسبهایی که بهشون میزنن، تعریف نمیشن. انگشت اتهام رو به سمت خودشون نگیرن و بدونن که هر صفتی قرار نیست یه انسان رو توضیح بده.
تو همین فضا هم بارها دیدم که با چند کلمهی بیربط، نویسندهای به ناحق کوبیده شد. اثری پودر شد و کمتر کسی اعتراض کرد که حواست هست داری یه انسان رو وصف میکنی و بهتر نیست کمی رحم و مروت به خرج بدی؟ واژهها خیلی مهمن. امیدوارم بهتر ازشون استفاده کنیم و مهربانانه خرجشون کنیم.
March 1, 2024
a perfectly soft and pointed take on fatphobia, and how we diminish even the youngest of us for not "fitting" in, be it size or otherwise.
Exciting to see Vashti Harrison not only illustrate but also write. Beautiful book.
Exciting to see Vashti Harrison not only illustrate but also write. Beautiful book.
January 26, 2024
I stg if someone (child or adult) talked to my baby like this I would beat they fucking ass
July 14, 2025
In many ways Vashti Harrison's 2024 Caldecott Medal winning Big is an encouragingly positive and inspiring ode to all-encompassing, to total self-love and begins with a smiling, brown-skinned baby girl with a big laugh, a big heart and big dreams (and which is presented by both Harrison's evocative words and equally and perhaps even more so by her visually delightful and also lovingly but sometimes sadly painfully realistic artwork).
So through emotionally poignant and often pink hued digital images (which I actually did not even realise were digital until I read this online, and that for me, this is indeed a major compliment) set against chalk pastel backdrops, Big features a smiling, bouncing baby becoming a happy child, who keeps growing, whose body becomes larger and larger and that soon Vashti Harrison's text and images, they unfortunately but yes realistically depict the erstwhile dancing and playful girl sadly becoming the subject of cruel taunts from children but also uncalled for and insidiously nasty criticism from adults, from teachers etc., and thus sadly making the little girl feel physically too big but emotionally, internally small and insignificant, like when in Big text and images describe how after being denigrated by both young and old, the girl runs away from a dance rehearsal in which she is being made to wear plain colours and embody a mountain instead of a flower (with the costume chosen by the "dance instructor" clearly meant to hide the girl's body and that she is large, that she is somehow too big, not sufficiently graceful etc.). Full of important truths about needing to fight against anti-fat bias as well as showing that bigger sized children often are victims of horrid adultification, Big with deceptive simplicity and tenderly offers the self-affirming both verbal and illustrative belief that kids are kids in any body, and that it is absolutely fine to take up space and to thus also be a larger body size.
But just to say in closing that personally speaking, I do find the little girl in Big simply giving all of the hurtful words back and making room for herself and for everything she loves, while certainly massively encouraging and positive, this is also at least for me as a "big" person who as a child and as a teenager endured lots of bullying regarding my weight (and actually in particular from my parents and from my teachers) just a wee bit too optimistic and a wee bit too overly positive (and that well, I also would really prefer it if Harrison would depict not just a dark-skinned little girl as being large sized in Big, but also bigger sized children of different genders and of different ethnicities).
So through emotionally poignant and often pink hued digital images (which I actually did not even realise were digital until I read this online, and that for me, this is indeed a major compliment) set against chalk pastel backdrops, Big features a smiling, bouncing baby becoming a happy child, who keeps growing, whose body becomes larger and larger and that soon Vashti Harrison's text and images, they unfortunately but yes realistically depict the erstwhile dancing and playful girl sadly becoming the subject of cruel taunts from children but also uncalled for and insidiously nasty criticism from adults, from teachers etc., and thus sadly making the little girl feel physically too big but emotionally, internally small and insignificant, like when in Big text and images describe how after being denigrated by both young and old, the girl runs away from a dance rehearsal in which she is being made to wear plain colours and embody a mountain instead of a flower (with the costume chosen by the "dance instructor" clearly meant to hide the girl's body and that she is large, that she is somehow too big, not sufficiently graceful etc.). Full of important truths about needing to fight against anti-fat bias as well as showing that bigger sized children often are victims of horrid adultification, Big with deceptive simplicity and tenderly offers the self-affirming both verbal and illustrative belief that kids are kids in any body, and that it is absolutely fine to take up space and to thus also be a larger body size.
But just to say in closing that personally speaking, I do find the little girl in Big simply giving all of the hurtful words back and making room for herself and for everything she loves, while certainly massively encouraging and positive, this is also at least for me as a "big" person who as a child and as a teenager endured lots of bullying regarding my weight (and actually in particular from my parents and from my teachers) just a wee bit too optimistic and a wee bit too overly positive (and that well, I also would really prefer it if Harrison would depict not just a dark-skinned little girl as being large sized in Big, but also bigger sized children of different genders and of different ethnicities).
April 28, 2023
This book has a beautiful message and gorgeous illustrations. As a fat person who grew up being “BIG”, this story really resonated with me and I wish I had had it when I was young.
January 30, 2024
I don’t know if this healed something in my childhood or opened an old wound but that was the most beautiful book I’ve ever read. The whole time I was just remembering elementary school. I cried. I’m crying. Ahhh. When she was the mountain… AHHHHH. IM UNWELL
March 5, 2024
Caldecott Winner - children's picture book about a child being bullied due to her size. Affecting, painful. It hurt me as a large-sized person to read it. The child in the story is fortunately big in heart and spirit. She does not grow into this - that also, is an inherent part of her being.
Lovely illustrations in pinks, browns, and grays with a BIG gatefold in the center.
Lovely illustrations in pinks, browns, and grays with a BIG gatefold in the center.
January 30, 2024
Fuck every single one of you that makes a child feel like this.
January 14, 2024
Beautiful illustrations
Important message
Very simple story
As a BIG girl all my life this story brought up a lot of emotions. Others point out things about you that you never thought was a problem. All the suffering, stares and ostracizing endured my entire life and I’m still a Big person. lol
God did not make us all the same. I wish the world would get a clue!
Important message
Very simple story
As a BIG girl all my life this story brought up a lot of emotions. Others point out things about you that you never thought was a problem. All the suffering, stares and ostracizing endured my entire life and I’m still a Big person. lol
God did not make us all the same. I wish the world would get a clue!
February 22, 2024
This book celebrates the creative, imaginative, kind, graceful, sweet, funny, compassionate, gentle, smart, and good person that a young girl is, even though the world tries to impose other descriptive words to her, many of which are hurtful and mean. It shows how well-meaning individuals, including the adults, teachers, and mentors in our lives can be hurtful, even if they don't intend to be.
It depicts a kind of rebirth in her understanding and acceptance of who she is. "The illustrations for this book were done in Procreate and chalk pastel." And they imbue a sense of her emotions without words. This book is certainly worthy of its Caldecott Medal win.
This book was featured in the June & July 2025: Caldecott Winners and Honor Books of 2024 and 2025 discussion in the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
interesting quote:
"Pink flowers symbolize innocence, joy, playfulness, and happiness. These are all things this girl deserves. Her body is not a problem that needs fixing, and neither did mine that day on the playground. What needs fixing are the implicit biases we all hold. I wish I could give the girl a hug -- the part of her that is me and the part of her that might be you -- and tell her that she is deserving of all the care and joy in the world, no matter what." (p. 58 - unpaged, Author's Note)
It depicts a kind of rebirth in her understanding and acceptance of who she is. "The illustrations for this book were done in Procreate and chalk pastel." And they imbue a sense of her emotions without words. This book is certainly worthy of its Caldecott Medal win.
This book was featured in the June & July 2025: Caldecott Winners and Honor Books of 2024 and 2025 discussion in the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
interesting quote:
"Pink flowers symbolize innocence, joy, playfulness, and happiness. These are all things this girl deserves. Her body is not a problem that needs fixing, and neither did mine that day on the playground. What needs fixing are the implicit biases we all hold. I wish I could give the girl a hug -- the part of her that is me and the part of her that might be you -- and tell her that she is deserving of all the care and joy in the world, no matter what." (p. 58 - unpaged, Author's Note)
November 14, 2023
Truly the book I wish I had when I was little. Or, perhaps, the book I wish my mother and grandmother had in their lives when they were little.
Everything about this book is so special. The illustrations are classic Vashti Harrison gorgeous, but her softness matches the lovely roundness of the central character so perfectly. The text is absolute perfection. It is definitely not too much, and every word is clear, precise, and deliberate. I felt so much when reading this. For myself, for all the kids I read to, for all the fat people regularly, repeatedly, rudely told that they take up far too much space and they really shouldn't. I look back on pictures of me when I was little when so many people called me fat and I look SO NORMAL!! So normal for my body, but also so normal for a child. I'm just so glad that we live in a world where this books exists, and where this book gets nominated for a National Book Award.
I think if you're made of stronger stuff than I, you could read it for a story time. I really wish I were capable of reading this without dissolving into a weepy mess, but I'm not!
Everything about this book is so special. The illustrations are classic Vashti Harrison gorgeous, but her softness matches the lovely roundness of the central character so perfectly. The text is absolute perfection. It is definitely not too much, and every word is clear, precise, and deliberate. I felt so much when reading this. For myself, for all the kids I read to, for all the fat people regularly, repeatedly, rudely told that they take up far too much space and they really shouldn't. I look back on pictures of me when I was little when so many people called me fat and I look SO NORMAL!! So normal for my body, but also so normal for a child. I'm just so glad that we live in a world where this books exists, and where this book gets nominated for a National Book Award.
I think if you're made of stronger stuff than I, you could read it for a story time. I really wish I were capable of reading this without dissolving into a weepy mess, but I'm not!
October 4, 2023
11/20/23 Big is beautiful in this picture book that shows how words (intended or not) can hurt others, especially children. You'll find yourself cheering for the little girl in this story to be bigger than the words used against her in this story.
This is also a great story about treating children, tweens and teens for the age they are and not the size.
10/3/23 Starfish for younger readers, fat shaming is bad no matter what your age. This book sends home an important message about treating children by their actual age, not the age they look. All kids deserve to be kids.
This is also a great story about treating children, tweens and teens for the age they are and not the size.
10/3/23 Starfish for younger readers, fat shaming is bad no matter what your age. This book sends home an important message about treating children by their actual age, not the age they look. All kids deserve to be kids.
May 15, 2023
One of my favorite 2023 releases. Vashti Harrison's work has gotten better and better. She sure works hard for the children's book industry. This is a book written and illustrated by Harrison. I think it will resonate with many children and adults as well. 2024 Caldecott worthy.
September 18, 2026
In a Nutshell: An amazing picture book about the impact of words and the importance of self-acceptance. Amazing story, outstanding message, fabulous illustrations. Simple words but extraordinary impact. Much recommended.
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Plot Preview:
I absolutely loved this book! From the cover art, I could guess that it was a story about a plus-sized little girl, but I sure didn’t expect the topic to be handled so beautifully. Her journey from confidence to reluctance to dismay to action is penned so well!
My favourite part of the story is that she never considers changing her size, not once! She is only looking for acceptance from others, so even when she takes action for the betterment of her mental health, she is looking for a more understanding and inclusive approach from others, not for advice on slimming down.
The text highlights how the word ‘big’ can be used in different ways. It also demonstrates how hurtful words aren’t always bad words; even simple adjectives like ‘big’ can hurt sentiments when used the wrong way.
A part of me wishes the little girl spoke to her parents about the issues she faced in school, but I guess that would have made this story more complex. Regardless, I love how she tackled the problem constructively by the end.
The illustrations are outstanding, making a great story truly memorable. Every single strand of hair, every tone on those chubby cheeks and dimply thighs, every emotion on that expressive face, every single frill on the tutu… comes out strikingly! The colour tone with the warm hues is also perfect for the story.
Overall, this is an excellent choice to make children understand not just the importance of self-acceptance but also the power of words to hurt as well as heal.
Definitely recommended. This ought to be perfect for kids aged 4-8, and would be valuable both in homes and in classrooms.
4.5 stars, delighted to round up.
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I follow the Goodreads rating policy:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Lifelong favourite!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I loved the book.
⭐⭐⭐ - I liked the book.
⭐⭐ - I found the book average.
⭐ - I hated the book.
The decimals indicate the degree of the in-between feelings.
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Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||
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Plot Preview:
A little girl was always praised for being big, but as she grows older, she realises ‘big’ isn't always a compliment. Having the bigger built affects many things in her life, and the constant comments from others about her bigness affects her mental health. But one day, after many tears, she understands how she can tackle the hurt.
I absolutely loved this book! From the cover art, I could guess that it was a story about a plus-sized little girl, but I sure didn’t expect the topic to be handled so beautifully. Her journey from confidence to reluctance to dismay to action is penned so well!
My favourite part of the story is that she never considers changing her size, not once! She is only looking for acceptance from others, so even when she takes action for the betterment of her mental health, she is looking for a more understanding and inclusive approach from others, not for advice on slimming down.
The text highlights how the word ‘big’ can be used in different ways. It also demonstrates how hurtful words aren’t always bad words; even simple adjectives like ‘big’ can hurt sentiments when used the wrong way.
A part of me wishes the little girl spoke to her parents about the issues she faced in school, but I guess that would have made this story more complex. Regardless, I love how she tackled the problem constructively by the end.
The illustrations are outstanding, making a great story truly memorable. Every single strand of hair, every tone on those chubby cheeks and dimply thighs, every emotion on that expressive face, every single frill on the tutu… comes out strikingly! The colour tone with the warm hues is also perfect for the story.
Overall, this is an excellent choice to make children understand not just the importance of self-acceptance but also the power of words to hurt as well as heal.
Definitely recommended. This ought to be perfect for kids aged 4-8, and would be valuable both in homes and in classrooms.
4.5 stars, delighted to round up.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I follow the Goodreads rating policy:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Lifelong favourite!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I loved the book.
⭐⭐⭐ - I liked the book.
⭐⭐ - I found the book average.
⭐ - I hated the book.
The decimals indicate the degree of the in-between feelings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||
February 3, 2024
wow wow wow, BIG feelings, she is my hero.
February 5, 2024
I located this book using the Coretta Scott King Award book list. “Big” by Vashti Harrison was the recipient of several awards including a Caldecott medal for its beautiful illustrations. “Big” was also listed as the Coretta Scott King honor title for 2024.
In this picture book, Harrison tells the story of a young Black girl who is happily growing up proud of who she is. As she continues to grow, things suddenly change. People around her start making comments that she is too big for this and too big for that, and the once confident and happy child begins to grow self conscious.
The illustrations beautifully demonstrate the girl’s changing feelings about herself in the face of negative comments from others. She begins to see herself as towering over everyone else, including the adults. On one page, she is drawn as if she can barely fit in the page. The hurtful comments from others splattered on the page, a reminder of her damaged self-image and how she now sees herself. In time, she changes her view and begins to stand up for herself.
This book is an excellent reminder of how our words matter and can be used to uplift or tear down. It ultimately has an empowering message for young girls to not let others body-shame them or damage their self-worth. I would recommend this book for teachers in primary grades looking to have discussions about kindness, bullying, and self-love.
In this picture book, Harrison tells the story of a young Black girl who is happily growing up proud of who she is. As she continues to grow, things suddenly change. People around her start making comments that she is too big for this and too big for that, and the once confident and happy child begins to grow self conscious.
The illustrations beautifully demonstrate the girl’s changing feelings about herself in the face of negative comments from others. She begins to see herself as towering over everyone else, including the adults. On one page, she is drawn as if she can barely fit in the page. The hurtful comments from others splattered on the page, a reminder of her damaged self-image and how she now sees herself. In time, she changes her view and begins to stand up for herself.
This book is an excellent reminder of how our words matter and can be used to uplift or tear down. It ultimately has an empowering message for young girls to not let others body-shame them or damage their self-worth. I would recommend this book for teachers in primary grades looking to have discussions about kindness, bullying, and self-love.
February 1, 2024
Words are powerful. 💕 I felt myself on the pages of this story. I remember a friends parent saying to me that she was shocked I was so smart. Big girls don’t tend to be smart. 💔 words matter. This book is full of all the healing ❤️🩹 the big girls need. The big hearts, the big brains, the big personalities, the big talents, the big inventors, the big heroes.
January 29, 2024
This one broke my heart and made me angry that it needs to exist in the world.
July 1, 2024
Addy read this aloud to me at a library this afternoon and it made me tear up. What a beautiful, empowering message. Wish I had read this book as a little girl.
December 29, 2023
read this with @manu in the 4hr barnes n noble line
shes just a girl!
shes just a girl!
January 1, 2025
The way I needed this book as a kid is not funny. I seriously would have loved seeing this book as a kid because this is a warm hug to the bigger black girls who deserve to be seen and appreciated
May 2, 2025
At first glance, the title of this book keeps readers Highly anticipating Things to come 🩷.
Vashti Harrison is just "Unparalleled."
If you know her Work, that's all that can be said. A Complete Gorgeous Surprise 🩰.
Vashti Harrison is just "Unparalleled."
If you know her Work, that's all that can be said. A Complete Gorgeous Surprise 🩰.
February 29, 2024
Finally got this one in with my last group of first graders this week. This one pulls at my soul, I never got stuck in a swing, but I was the big girl growing up. No one was as tall or heavy as me, and in pursuit of some sort of 1980s aesthetic ideals I was put on multiple diets in my single digit years. I haven’t been at peace with my relationship between food and my body since before I was 7, and I doubt I ever will be.
Big is how I wish past-me’s story could have ended. Our protagonist goes through a lot of pain and self-realization, and ultimately self-love. She feels others’ words profoundly and ultimately realizes what to do with them.
The kiddos loved Harrison’s use of size and color to convey emotion, and it gave us a great opportunity to talk about words and loving one another.
Big is how I wish past-me’s story could have ended. Our protagonist goes through a lot of pain and self-realization, and ultimately self-love. She feels others’ words profoundly and ultimately realizes what to do with them.
The kiddos loved Harrison’s use of size and color to convey emotion, and it gave us a great opportunity to talk about words and loving one another.
March 5, 2024
Oh my heart can’t handle this. This had me crying. No wonder it won awards. This was beautiful and all to real from a “big girl”. People not realizing that their words hurt. They think you’re too sensitive or they were just joking. When none of it is anybodys business. That’s why we shouldn’t comment on anybodys body. I’m crying. Wow. The artwork is also just so beautiful. And it’s just so real. I loved the ending lines “but they still couldn’t see that she was just a girl. And she was good.” Ugh my heart.
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