11. Big

Big. Vashti Harrison. 2023. 60 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book]

First sentence: Once there was a girl with a big laugh and a big heart and very big dreams. 

Premise/plot: Big is a picture book about self-love and body-positivity. It is a book that embraces all the wonderful things that BIG can be. It examines the confusing, blurry, contradictory messages humans believe [and at times convey]. Is big good? Is big bad? Why is it great to be big when you're a baby/toddler but not as a second grader? (To get into specifics of this particular picture book.) The star of this one is a second grader who loves dancing ballet, but, who increasingly feels belittled and invisible as others--kids and adults--make a big deal out of her "bigness." She is hurt by words and actions.The book chronicles her journey to feeling beautiful AND being big.

My thoughts: I mostly loved this one. The illustrations are amazing--beyond amazing. I am not at all surprised this one won the Caldecott MEDAL [which is for illustrations.] It also earned a Coretta Scott King HONOR in illustrations and for author. Both text and illustrations are wonderful.

This book makes a statement. A statement without shame. Big. Is. Beautiful. End. Of. Story.

I said mostly, I meant mostly. I am ALL for body-positivity. I would not want any person to feel ashamed or embarrassed because of their size. I would not want any one to be made to feel "less than" or "not good enough" or "unworthy."At the same time, I am not prepared to throw health and nutrition away [completely] for some warm and cozy feelings. There are a million and one reasons why a person--of any age--might be "big." There is not a one-size-fits-all cure. For example, IF a person is eating because they are eating their feelings. If they are eating because of anger, rebellion, fear, loneliness, anxiety, boredom, whatever possible emotion, wouldn't it be better to get better coping skills--and other supports in place--than to just continue eating. Isn't it better to catch it early than to live with it for decades? NOT because a person is unworthy if big, but because there are better ways to deal with life's hardships and difficulties than turning to food. Again, there are a million and one reasons why a person might be big. You can't look at a "big" person and say this is why and judge them for it. I am not advocating for judgment or criticism. But the book specifically says that anyone who offers help or support is just as harmful and dangerous as those who are bullies. Big is beautiful. Bigger is beautiful. Biggest is beautiful. To infinity and beyond, keep celebrating being big. Again, I hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, HATE diet culture. I am not advocating "cookie cutter" ideals for what is beautiful. I think cultural beauty standards can be super problematic.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Rooster Crows

The Rooster Crows. Maud and Miska Petersham. 1945. (Caldecott Medal) 64 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Here is part of America's heritage--gay verses beautifully illustrated by famous artists.

Premise/plot: The Rooster Crows is a Caldecott award-winner from the 1940s. It is a collection of poetry really. Rhymes and Jingles. Finger Games. Rope Skipping Rhymes. Counting-Out Rhymes. Games. Yankee Doodle.

I asked my mother for fifty cents
To see the elephant jump the fence.
He jumped so high
He reached the sky
And never came back till the Fourth of July.

Mary had a little lamb,
Its fleece was black as tar.
And everywhere that Mary went
They thought it was a b-a-a-r.

I eat my peas with honey,
I've done it all my life.
It makes the peas taste funny,
But it keeps them on my knife.

My thoughts: It was a pleasant enough read. Some of the illustrations were absolutely amazing. I really enjoyed looking this one through. Some rhymes were more enjoyable than others. But overall I liked it.

Text: 3 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 7 out of 10

© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews