Review: Small and Big

A young boy, Big, is travelling with his parents into the city. Tucked under his arm is his best friend, a bright yellow dinosaur called Small. Together, Small and Big explore the city but they notice very different things. Big is loud and boisterous and he notices the large buildings, the busy streets and the crowds of people. Walking along the same streets, Small notices tiny insects, drifting autumn leaves and tiny droplets of water.

Small and Big are so fascinated by the things they are seeing that they lose track of each other and eventually, Small realises that he is lost. Can Small and Big find each other again in the busy city before Big and his parents have to board the train to return home?

A celebration of little things and big friendships, the story of Small and Big captures the big and little things that can be so fascinating to young children. It is a reminder that sometimes we can be so busy looking at the loud, fast, busy things that we forget to take time to pay attention to the amazing, quiet, little things that are happening around us. Of course, it also prompts us to remember that it is important to not get so distracted by the little things that we lose direction, and forget where we are and what we are doing.

Author Karen Collum captures the special friendship between a child and their favourite toy in this lovely story. There are lots of lessons to learn, shared gently through the adventures, and misadventures, of Big and Small while they visit the city. The collage-style illustrations by Ben Wood are appealing and reinforce the contrasts in the story between big and small, busy and still, and loud and quiet.

A lovely story sure to be enjoyed by preschoolers and their parents.

Title: Small and Big
Author: Karen Collum
Illustrator: Ben Wood
Publisher: Windy Hollow Books, $25.99 RRP
Publication Date: July 2015
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781922081476
For ages: 3 - 7
Type: Picture Book