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Hot new releases and under-the-radar gems for adults and kids.
Staff Pick
At first Big is a simply and sweetly told story about a girl who thinks she doesn’t fit in — and then it gets surreal. And surprising. And magical. What a strange and beautiful way to depict how it feels to finally realize you’re perfect the way you are. Recommended By Gigi L., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
From a New York Times bestselling and award-winning creator, this deeply moving story shares valuable lessons about fitting in, standing out, and the beauty of joyful acceptance.
The first picture book written and illustrated by award-winning and 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.
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)
Review
"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)
About the Author
Vashti Harrison is the #1 New York Times bestselling creator of Little Leaders, Little Dreamers, and Little Legends and the illustrator of Lupita Nyong'o's Sulwe, Matthew Cherry's Hair Love, Andrea Beaty's I Love You Like Yellow, and Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic's Hello, Star, among others. She earned her BA in studio art and media studies from the University of Virginia and her MFA in film/video from CalArts, where she rekindled a love for drawing and painting. Vashti lives in Brooklyn, New York, and invites you to visit her at vashtiharrison.com or on Instagram and Twitter @vashtiharrison.