Vashti Harrison
author - illustrator - filmmaker
In stores everywhere!
A Brand New Picture Book
by Vashti Harrison
Winner of the Caldecott Medal! A Coretta Scott King Award Author and Illustrator Honor book, a National Book Award finalist, and a New York Times bestseller! This deeply moving story shares valuable lessons about fitting in, standing out, and the beauty of joyful acceptance, from an award-winning creator.
Once there was a girl.
She had a big laugh
and a big heart
and very big dreams.
And it was good.
Until it wasn't.
The first picture book written and illustrated by award-winning and bestselling 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.
Praise for Big!
A Kids’ Indie Next List Pick
★ "Straightforward enough for even very young children to understand and appreciate, but with a vital message for adults too, Big is one of the year’s most exceptional picture books."—BookPage, starred review
★ "[An] ode to big self-love… Full of important truths about adultification and anti-fat bias, Harrison’s deceptively simple telling tenderly offers the self-affirming beliefs that kids are kids in any body and that it’s okay to take up space."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ "The text is spare but pointed; Harrison’s emotionally powerful, pink-hued illustrations focus on her protagonist’s inner experience… This book offers readers an opportunity to remember that we all deserve love and respect—no matter what size we are."—Horn Book, starred review
More about Big!
I sat down with Little Brown School and Library to discuss some of the thoughts behind making Big. I dive into the research and creative process.
Download the Big storytime kit to share with your students or young readers!
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