Small, Medium, Large

by Emily Jenkins

Overview

The colorful, lively characters in this book, will captivate young readers as the discover the wonderful world of relative sizes—an important stepping stone to learning early math skills and measurments. This book features a double gatefold. Ages 4-7

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781595722997
Publisher:	Star Bright Books, Incorporated
Publication date:	08/15/2011
Pages:	36
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 11.50(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	AD510L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

Editorial Reviews

PreS-Gr 1—Four colorful mouselike beings of varied sizes represent the concepts of small, medium, large, and extra large in bold, posterlike spreads rendered in black line and swathes of thick, textured paints. Similar characters, larger and smaller, join the original four to expand the notion of size at both ends of the scale (e.g., "huge," "enormous," "colossal"; and "tiny," "minuscule," and "itty-bitty") and demonstrate how many smaller sizes can stack up to equal one "colossal" size in a splendid, culminating vertical gatefold. The "medium" character adds some narrative tension along the way as it waits expectantly on the sidelines for its turn to participate. While the relative sizes of S/M/L/XL seem universal, the other vocabulary of size introduced might be fairly construed as synonymous rather than strictly relative. Still, the generous trim size, large font, simple ideas, and eye-popping shapes and colors add up to a cheerful concept book ideal for sharing with a group of young children or as a lapsit.—Kathleen Finn, St. Francis Xavier School, Winooski, VT

School Library Journal

In their sixth collaboration, Jenkins and Bogacki (Daffodil, Crocodile) offer a loose introduction to comparative sizes—with a little vocabulary lesson thrown in. Helping them is a collection of indeterminate critters—some mouselike, others doglike, all endearingly eager-eyed and roundly geometric—of varying heights, from “itty-bitty” (“So small, you might not even notice it”) to “colossal” (revealed in a double gatefold finale). The characters are welcoming to each other and ready for anything, happily grouping and regrouping so readers can see how they relate to one another: “This one is small. This one is medium. This one is large.” And when the critters stand on top of one another, which they do with aplomb, it becomes clear how many small parts can equal a single larger one (“These two small ones on top of each other are the same as... a large!”). The bright colors, whimsical yet totemic characters, and brightly declarative prose make for an invitingly offbeat experience: think Teletubbies by way of the Futurists. Ages 4–7. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly