Big Bear Little Chair

by Lizi Boyd

Overview

A New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2015
In this artful and deceptively simple book, master book creator Lizi Boyd is at it again. Using her inimitable style to expand upon a familiar concept, she has created a compendium of unexpected opposites that is also a charming and emotionally warm story about Big Bear, little bear, and the stories that bring them together.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781452146713
Publisher:	Chronicle Books LLC
Publication date:	10/06/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	36
File size:	8 MB
Age Range:	3 - 5 Years

About the Author

Lizi Boyd is the author and illustrator of many children's books, including Inside Outside and Flashlight, and also creates papers, ribbons, cards, and other works of delight. She lives in Vermont.

Editorial Reviews

" Each tall and skinny page is as stunning as the next."—BoingBoing

" Each tall and skinny page is as stunning as the next."—BoingBoing

" Each tall and skinny page is as stunning as the next."—BoingBoing

"A big treat."—Kirkus Reviews Children's Blog

"A big treat."—Kirkus Reviews Children's Blog

"A big treat."—Kirkus Reviews Children's Blog

"Ideal for teaching young kids the concepts of big and little — and just for having fun!"—Common Sense Media

"Ideal for teaching young kids the concepts of big and little — and just for having fun!"—Common Sense Media

"Ideal for teaching young kids the concepts of big and little — and just for having fun!"—Common Sense Media

"A beautiful and creative exploration of size and relativity."—Kirkus Reviews

"A beautiful and creative exploration of size and relativity."—Kirkus Reviews

"A beautiful and creative exploration of size and relativity."—Kirkus Reviews

"Opposites receive a fresh interpretation in this stylish selection."—School Library Journal, starred review

"Opposites receive a fresh interpretation in this stylish selection."—School Library Journal, starred review

"Opposites receive a fresh interpretation in this stylish selection."—School Library Journal, starred review

"Big Bear Little Chair is in perfect form with big height, little width found in Lizi Boyd's presentation of a uplifting story of opposites."—Books Whatnot

"Big Bear Little Chair is in perfect form with big height, little width found in Lizi Boyd's presentation of a uplifting story of opposites."—Books Whatnot

"Big Bear Little Chair is in perfect form with big height, little width found in Lizi Boyd's presentation of a uplifting story of opposites."—Books Whatnot

"A gorgeous book that's fun to own simply because it's so pretty."—Design Mom

"A gorgeous book that's fun to own simply because it's so pretty."—Design Mom

"A gorgeous book that's fun to own simply because it's so pretty."—Design Mom

"Stylishly illustrated tale about how size matters (sometimes) and the dynamics of opposites."—People Magazine

"Stylishly illustrated tale about how size matters (sometimes) and the dynamics of opposites."—People Magazine

"Stylishly illustrated tale about how size matters (sometimes) and the dynamics of opposites."—People Magazine

"Each tall and skinny page is as stunning as the next."—Boing Boing

"Each tall and skinny page is as stunning as the next."—Boing Boing

"Each tall and skinny page is as stunning as the next."—Boing Boing

"When they put their chairs together, everything is right with the world."—Metropolis Magazine

From the Publisher

★ 11/01/2015
PreS-Gr 1—In this dynamic visual journey, opposites in size receive a striking comparison, though only a few brief words pepper each page. Boyd uses blacks, whites, and grays, and splashes of red to emphasize visual details. Each examination highlights two items of contrasting proportions with a rolling rhythm, such as "big zebra/little broom/big rock/little butterfly/big elephant/little trick/big moon/little star." References to the bear and chair repeatedly highlight this animal and object in various proportions throughout the pages. Succinct phrases seamlessly blend into a series of connected pairings within these engaging interactions. Distinctive gouache illustrations successfully serve this dynamic medium and accentuate each description. Rounded figures capture a gentle quietness. The final spread illuminates all the various pairings along the way with the declarative statement "Big bear/little bear/tiny stories…everywhere!" and encompasses all the previously highlighted characters. VERDICT Opposites receive a fresh interpretation in this stylish selection.—Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC

School Library Journal

2015-07-22
Examples of "big," "little," and "tiny" produce unexpected juxtapositions. Opening with "Big Bear / little chair," the lean text introduces a series of seemingly unrelated pairings of "big" and "little," such as a big plant and a little cocoon, a big bird and a little umbrella, a big zebra and a little broom. A second series of "big" and "little" pairings begins with "Big Chair / little bear" and includes a big owl on a little branch, a big meadow with a little salamander, a big lion with a little wagon. Both big and little bear return for the final series, where a "tiny" element's added to the "big" and "little" combinations: a big mouse, a little bus, and a tiny driver; a big ladder, a little turtle, and a tiny book. Font changes, trim, and illustrations reinforce the textual focus on size. The tall, skinny format alerts readers to expect the unexpected, while large, small, and tiny font sizes mirror the text. Stylized illustrations rely on subdued blacks, grays, and whites with pops of bright red, along with flat patterns, repetitive lines, and lots of whimsy, to illuminate each distinctive visual vignette. The absence of any obvious rationale (other than size) linking these vignettes invites readers (big, little, and tiny) to imagine their own connections. A beautiful and creative exploration of size and relativity. (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews