I always have a soft-spot for picture books in which the family pet can be spotted in the background of most of the scenes. Add to the fact that the little narrator reminds me of my toddler self, and it would have been difficult for me not to like this book. Stinson does a good job of illustrating the many things that can make children feel big and those that can make them feel little. And sometimes it's kind of nice to be little!

Note: I received a digital copy of this book through NetGalley. ( )

After reading the book Big or Little by Kathy Stinson and illustrated by Robin Baird Lewis, I had mixed feelings about it. I really liked how the illustrations described how the main character, Matthew, was feeling. For example, when the story states that Matthew feels “big” when he gets dressed by himself, the illustration is fairly large picture of him getting dressed. On the other hand, when the story states that Matthew feels “little” because he wet the bed, the illustration is a much smaller picture of Matthew in a large setting. I also liked how the story was in first person with Matthew explaining to the reader when he feels big or when he feels little. I feel as though that a reader reading this story may feel that being “little” is a bad thing which is something that I did not like. For example, Matthew says that he is little when he falls asleep before the hockey game is over. A child reading this may fall asleep when watching TV and may think that is a bad thing. However, at the end of the book, Matthew says he mostly wants to be big but sometimes being little is good too. This portrays that the main idea of the story is that it is great feeling “big” and growing up but it is still okay to feel “little” and make mistakes and to still need help with things. ( )

Kathy Stinson’s picture book is about a little boy who wants to be big but in the end he comes to the conclusion that it is okay to be small too. ( )

I thought this was a great book that kids at a younger age group can relate too. I liked how the book pushes readers to reflect on their own actions and what the reader does that is considered big or little. I also liked the authors descriptive writing in the story. When the narrator says he is very very thoughtful, that means he is being big. Also when he describes his sister by saying little sister, not just sister. The main message is even if you're growing, everyone still does both big and little things. Even though the little boy is playing with his little sister like a big boy, he is little when he doesn't listen. ( )

"I received this title for free via a NetGalley giveaway. Despite that I'm honest below.

This is a very, very simple book but it has a good message. Kids can sometimes be very frustrated that they're not growing up fast enough and this book captures that but it also gives kids the counterpoint viewpoint that sometimes it's OK to just be the age you are.

The book also has bright, welcoming illustrations that invite the reader to keep going. In summary, a very sweet and easily digested book." ( )