Grade K–3Emotions & Self-Worth

Big

Written by Vashti Harrison

Illustrated by Vashti Harrison

A child who has always been told they are "too big" — too loud, too much, too emotional — learns that being big is not a flaw but a superpower. A tender, affirming story about embracing who you are.

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From the Library Director

Vashti Harrison's stunning art and spare, powerful text make this a must-have for any library. It opens the door to honest conversations about body image, emotional expression, and belonging — for every grade level.

Big Idea

Our biggest feelings are not flaws — they are the source of our greatest strength and empathy.

Discussion Questions

1
What does it mean to be told you are 'too big'? How do you think that feels?
2
What are some of the ways the character in the story felt 'big'? Were any of them actually strengths?
3
Have you ever been told you were 'too much' of something? How did it make you feel?
4
How does the author use color and size in the illustrations to show the character's emotions?
5
What changed for the character by the end of the story? What helped them feel differently?
6
Why is it important to have big feelings? What can they help us do?
7
How can we make sure the people around us feel like they belong — not too big, not too small?
8
If you could write one sentence to the character at the beginning of the story, what would you say?

Activity: My Big Strengths

Students reflect on a quality they have been told is 'too much' and reframe it as a strength — then celebrate it through writing and art.

1
Think of one word someone has used to describe you that felt like a criticism (too loud, too sensitive, too silly). Write it down.
2
Now flip it: write how that same quality could be a superpower. (Too loud → powerful voice that is heard; too sensitive → deeply empathetic.)
3
Draw yourself using your superpower to help someone or make something better.
4
Share your drawing with a partner. Take turns celebrating each other's 'big' quality.

Standards Connections

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.3 — With prompting, identify characters and major events in a story.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.6 — Acknowledge differences in the points of view of characters.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.4 — Describe people, places, things, and events with relevant details.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.1 — Write opinion pieces supplying reasons that support the opinion.
Social-Emotional Learning — Develop self-awareness and a positive sense of identity and self-worth.
Visual Literacy — Analyze how illustrations contribute to meaning, mood, and character development.