Big

Title: Big

Author: Vashti Harrison

 

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

 

Format: Book

 

Publication Date: May 2, 2023

 

Grade Level: PreK through 3rd Grade

 

Category: Coretta Scott King

 

 Big is an emotional exploration of one child's experience being deemed "too big" by a judgmental world. A word that use to fill her with pride suddenly becomes something barbed and shameful. The soft, beautiful illustrations are what caught my attention and made me want to give this book a read, and the thoughtful portrayal of a child finding self-love is what inspired me to give this book a review. 

Plot. Big is a story that is primarily emotion-driven. The events depicted are usually non-specific and more often than not seem to be metaphorical representations of a plethora of actions and words that the protagonist experiences from those around her. The thrust of the storyline lies in how the attitudes of others affect how the protagonist feels about herself, and her emotional journey towards a positive self-image. Readers are left with a satisfying conclusion after a long and difficult emotional roller coaster.  

Illustrations. The predominant colors in the book are soft, pastel pinks and purples, particularly when the protagonist feels her own self-worth. When the protagonist begins to feel not herself, and others judgments begin to affect her self-image, the palette changes to dark grays and blacks. This is shown literally in a panel where the protagonist is told that the color pink doesn't suit her and she should try wearing black instead. The illustrations are also used as a great tool for metaphorically depicting how being "big" makes the protagonist feel trapped. For example, over several pages of the book, the protagonist grows to fill a two-page spread so that she is curled up tight and boxed in by the edges of the pages. And I love how the book cover shows how being big can make you feel small, as the word "big" takes up most of the space on the cover while the tiny protagonist appears to hold up the weight of the word.

 

Mood. I would describe the mood of this book as inspirational. The struggle of the girl to fit in is something anyone can relate to, and the conclusion to her journey is heartwarming and encouraging. Children and adults will both be left feeling thoughtful about the poignant message of how one can choose the labels that they keep and throw out. Adults will enjoy the message of how the labels we force on young girls, and girls of color in particular, shape their self image.     

References:

Harrison, V. (2023). Big (V. Harrison, Illus.). Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.