So big!

PreS-K--Parents delight in asking their little ones, "How big is baby?" followed by "Sooooo big" as babies and toddlers throw their hands in the air in glorious response. This simple yet thought-provoking picture book takes the famous "So Big" and brings it to a new level. Bear is happy to be "so big," as he wakes up one morning and his calendar reminds him that it is the first day of school. He is so happy as he gets ready and makes it to the bus stop on his own. It isn't until the bus shows up that "so big" begins to take on a new meaning to bear. Everything seems "so big," and that's just too big for him to handle. It isn't until he meets his new friend Squirrel and they conquer their fears together that "so big" becomes just right. This book has very few words and much of it is just repeating "so big" in different contexts. The illustrations take readers on the adventure and allow for extrapolation of details and conversations between parent and child. A soft color palette of lifelike illustrations allows for the emotions of the characters to be felt by readers. VERDICT Even "big boys and girls" are allowed to feel nervous sometimes; most children can relate to the first day of school jitters. Recommended for general purchase for a public library's picture book collection as this would be a perfect read for a new kindergartner.--Kristen Todd-Wurm, Middle Country Public Library, NY

Using just six words, Wohnoutka manages to spin a complete school story. The sunshiny gouache illustrations do the heavy lifting, supporting the words "so," "big," "not," "too," "just," and "right" that are repeated throughout. The first spread shows Bear waking up in a sunny bedroom. A red star marks Sept. 4 on the wall calendar, and there's a backpack on the floor: "So big." Bear continues to feel capable and confident while dressing, eating breakfast, packing a bag, tying shoes, and standing at the bus stop (there is nary an adult in sight) next to a nervous elephant and squirrel. Then the bus arrives, dwarfing Bear, and this contrast and the font indicate a change: "SO big." The other students on the bus (rhino, hippo, giraffe) are "So BIG," and the school is "SO BIG!" Bear is suddenly "Not so big." But then Bear spies Squirrel, who is crying and feeling even smaller and less ready than Bear. Wordlessly, Bear, a model of empathy, holds out a hand, and together, the two brave the hallways, which are "Not so big," meet their teacher, and find that their classroom is "Just right!" Wohnoutka's animal cast is beautifully expressive, and his use of relative size within compositions is masterful, easily getting across to readers how the world feels to Bear and Squirrel.Even the most school-ready kid can have doubts, but with a friend, nothing will seem too big to handle. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.