Big (Caldecott Medal Winner & Coretta Scott King Honor Title)
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.
The first picture book written and illustrated by award-winning 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.
The first picture book written and illustrated by award-winning 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
A Caldecott Medal Winner
A Coretta Scott King Award Author and Illustrator Honor Book
A New York Times Bestseller and Best Children’s Book of the Year
A National Book Award Finalist
A Barnes & Noble Children’s Picture Book of the Year Nominee
An Indie Bestseller
An ALA-ALSC Notable Book for Children
An SCBWI Golden Kite Award Winner
A Black Caucus of ALA (BCALA) Best of 2023 List Selection
A Kids’ Indie Next List Pick
An Amazon Best Book of the Year
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Best Picture Book of the Year
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Booklist Best Book of the Year
A Horn Book Fanfare List Selection
A Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year
A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year
A Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature Best Book of the Year
A BookPage Best Picture Book of the Year
An NPR Books We Love Selection
A Nerdies Selection
A Rise Feminist Book Project Recommended Title
A Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) Choices Selection
An NCTE African American Read-In 2024 Selection
An NCTE Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts Award Book
An Ohio Buckeye Children’s and Teen Book Award Nominee
A Coretta Scott King Award Author and Illustrator Honor Book
A New York Times Bestseller and Best Children’s Book of the Year
A National Book Award Finalist
A Barnes & Noble Children’s Picture Book of the Year Nominee
An Indie Bestseller
An ALA-ALSC Notable Book for Children
An SCBWI Golden Kite Award Winner
A Black Caucus of ALA (BCALA) Best of 2023 List Selection
A Kids’ Indie Next List Pick
An Amazon Best Book of the Year
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Best Picture Book of the Year
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Booklist Best Book of the Year
A Horn Book Fanfare List Selection
A Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year
A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year
A Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature Best Book of the Year
A BookPage Best Picture Book of the Year
An NPR Books We Love Selection
A Nerdies Selection
A Rise Feminist Book Project Recommended Title
A Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) Choices Selection
An NCTE African American Read-In 2024 Selection
An NCTE Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts Award Book
An Ohio Buckeye Children’s and Teen Book Award Nominee
* “Bestselling creator Harrison has produced another classic that belongs on every child’s shelf—this is one that will nurture little ones and help them to see the beauty in themselves…. A healing balm with the power to make the world a bit kinder.”
—Kirkus, starred review
* “This emotionally and socially resonant picture book stands out with its exceptional strength, beauty, and grace.”
—Booklist, starred review
* “This book resonates with a potential emotional impact that is immense….This inspiring and highly relatable title could be used with readers of any age to discuss topics of body image and self-love.”
—School Library Journal, 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
* “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
* “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
“Consistently this book’s design works in service to the story, rendering what could have been didactic instead expansive and creative…. One of the best books of the year.”
—Betsy Bird, Fuse 8
“A gentle and loving book about what it means to be big. Harrison’s stunning art style perfectly encapsulates all the beautiful roundness of being a child, and encourages love and warmth for yourself if you are navigating the world as big.”
—Tildy Lutts, Belmont Books (Belmont, MA)
“Vashti Harrison’s succinct text is emotionally resonant and gracefully executed, as are her beautifully rendered digital and chalk pastel illustrations, both of which keep the focus clearly on the child and her rewarding journey to self-love.”
—Shelf Awareness
“Vashti Harrison’s distinctive, charming illustrations underscore the powerful message of this book: that girls—especially girls of color—have a right to take up space and be embraced as they are.”
—NPR