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Ben
Big Ben
Ben thinks he's too little to do anything until his older siblings produce his first report card, grading him on all the things little brothers do best.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2001
9 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Ellis
87 books41 followersWriter, columnist, and librarian Sarah Ellis has become one of the best-known authors for young adults in her native Canada with titles such as The Baby Project, Pick-Up Sticks, and Back of Beyond: Stories of the Supernatural. In addition to young adult novels, Ellis has also written for younger children and has authored several books about the craft of writing. Praised by Booklist contributor Hazel Rochman as "one of the best children's literature critics," Ellis "writes without condescension or pedantry. . . . Her prose is a delight: plain, witty, practical, wise."
Ellis was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in 1952, the youngest of three children in her family. As she once noted, "[My] joy in embroidering the truth probably comes from my own childhood. My father was a rich mine of anecdotes and jokes. He knew more variations on the 'once there were three men in a rowboat' joke than anyone I've encountered since.
Ellis was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in 1952, the youngest of three children in her family. As she once noted, "[My] joy in embroidering the truth probably comes from my own childhood. My father was a rich mine of anecdotes and jokes. He knew more variations on the 'once there were three men in a rowboat' joke than anyone I've encountered since.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 13, 2018
Big Ben is a children's picture book written by Sarah Ellis and illustrated by Kim La Fave, which is a book about a boy named Ben who's in preschool and wants to bring home a report card like his older siblings.
Ellis' text is rather simple and straightforward. It conveys a story about Ben and how he deals with feeling a tad inferior to his amazing siblings and how his older siblings cheer him up. It is an adorable book filled with childlike sadness and happiness in equal measure. La Fave's illustrations are simply wonderful and are beautifully rendered and accentuated the text extremely well.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It about a boy named Ben who's in preschool and wants a report card like his older siblings: Robin, a fifth grader and Joe, a third grader and is disappointed that preschool doesn't get report cards. To celebrate, they go swimming and have Chinese Food, but Ben could only focus on what he couldn't do. In the end, to cheer up their little brother, Robin and Joe gives Ben his very own report card and his exuberance in getting one is infectious.
N.B.: Big Ben is similar if not the same as A+ for Big Ben – it has the exact same premise. However, besides the title the text changed slightly as well as some of the illustrations and the placement of words and illustration. However, despite all the changes it is simply the same story with different illustrations by the same illustrator.
All in all, Big Ben is a wonderful children's book about how a boy who doesn't feel special compared to his amazing older siblings only to find that he is just as special and amazing in the end with the help from his older siblings.
Ellis' text is rather simple and straightforward. It conveys a story about Ben and how he deals with feeling a tad inferior to his amazing siblings and how his older siblings cheer him up. It is an adorable book filled with childlike sadness and happiness in equal measure. La Fave's illustrations are simply wonderful and are beautifully rendered and accentuated the text extremely well.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It about a boy named Ben who's in preschool and wants a report card like his older siblings: Robin, a fifth grader and Joe, a third grader and is disappointed that preschool doesn't get report cards. To celebrate, they go swimming and have Chinese Food, but Ben could only focus on what he couldn't do. In the end, to cheer up their little brother, Robin and Joe gives Ben his very own report card and his exuberance in getting one is infectious.
N.B.: Big Ben is similar if not the same as A+ for Big Ben – it has the exact same premise. However, besides the title the text changed slightly as well as some of the illustrations and the placement of words and illustration. However, despite all the changes it is simply the same story with different illustrations by the same illustrator.
All in all, Big Ben is a wonderful children's book about how a boy who doesn't feel special compared to his amazing older siblings only to find that he is just as special and amazing in the end with the help from his older siblings.
September 1, 2023
For joy! On my five trips to Merrie England, I've always taken many good looks at Big Ben: the iconic British clock. Now I get to read more about Big Ben!
Oh, wait, this picture book is about a different kind of Big Ben, a child with a problem.
Actually, this is my third Ben book that I've read by Sarah Ellis. This appears to be the first of her books about this preschooler. Sarah's niche appears to be this: Build each of these Ben books around solving a mild psychological problem. Well, here we go.
In this first Ben Book, he's the youngest child in the family. He compares himself unfavorably to his older siblings, Robin and Joe.
Yet, by the end of the story, he feels better about himself.
FIVE STARS for readers who enjoy stories like this one.
Not my thing, but it takes all kinds to make a world of readers.
Oh, wait, this picture book is about a different kind of Big Ben, a child with a problem.
Actually, this is my third Ben book that I've read by Sarah Ellis. This appears to be the first of her books about this preschooler. Sarah's niche appears to be this: Build each of these Ben books around solving a mild psychological problem. Well, here we go.
In this first Ben Book, he's the youngest child in the family. He compares himself unfavorably to his older siblings, Robin and Joe.
Yet, by the end of the story, he feels better about himself.
FIVE STARS for readers who enjoy stories like this one.
Not my thing, but it takes all kinds to make a world of readers.
September 12, 2019
Ben sees his siblings getting report cards and feels jealous that he has nothing to show his accomplishments. The solution his family finds for him is believable and charming, satisfying Ben and reader alike.
(This is a repeat of my review of "A+ for Big Ben" this has the same text as this book).
(This is a repeat of my review of "A+ for Big Ben" this has the same text as this book).
October 7, 2019
I love books that model for the reader interesting characters who notice the feelings of others and lovingly do what they can to help. That's what this book does as Ben's older siblings help him feel part of the big-kids' world and celebrate the things he does well.
September 18, 2013
Ben feels like he can't do anything his big brother and sister can do. He can't swim, or eat with chopsticks, or see anything out of the car windows. Ben is pretty down in the dumps, but his brother and sister find a way to make him feel special and successful at what he can do.
The illustrations in this book are simple but adorable. I also like the subtle multicultural feel of the book. It is a good addition to our international school library with the British English (talking about marks instead of grades, and Mum instead of Mom) and the Asian foods.
The illustrations in this book are simple but adorable. I also like the subtle multicultural feel of the book. It is a good addition to our international school library with the British English (talking about marks instead of grades, and Mum instead of Mom) and the Asian foods.
June 29, 2010
Sweet book! I love, love the part where his older siblings come up with an idea, all on their own, to make this little guy feel special.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews