I Want to Be Big! - by Tiffany Golden (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Jaiceon wishes he was big--bigger than his whole family, bigger than everyone! If he were big, he could reach the cookies on the counter, or make his own sandwich. He could stay up really late, swim with sharks, and even be best friends with Bigfoot! Nobody's your boss when you're big.

When Jaiceon's wish is granted, rules shrink away, and he dives into a world of enormous fun. But as he grows, the situation grows out of control along with him, and Jaiceon starts to wonder if being small wasn't so bad after all.

The sky's the limit in this larger-than-life tale about how sometimes what we wish for isn't exactly what we want, and how, with a little creativity and help, we can learn to love ourselves for who we are right now.

Review Quotes

"This is a fun read-aloud showing a loving and supportive family and the value of not wishing away the present. A good choice for libraries with young readers."
--School Library Journal

"Repetition throughout makes this story a strong choice for reading aloud [...] The longing to be bigger and more independent is a common desire of young children and will likely resonate with many kids and their caregivers."
--Kirkus Reviews

"It's frustrating being little in a world of high counters and cabinets where your parents and siblings tower over you and the cookies are always out of reach [...] [I Want to Be Big! offers] a good lesson in adaptability."
--Booklist

About the Author

Tiffany Golden is a writer, educator, and book designer. When teaching kids about writing, she is amazed by the inventive ways they generate ideas, and she tries to incorporate their magic, innocence, and honesty into her own writing. Her nephew, Jaiceon, is so imaginative and vibrant that he inspired this joyful story. Tiffany lives in Oakland, California. This is her debut picture book.

Sawyer Cloud is a freelance artist and the illustrator of several books for children. This story reminds Sawyer of her inner child, and she remains a big dreamer who wants to reach the stars and change the world. She loves stories like Jaiceon's because they allow her to imagine wild, fantastic places. She lives in Madagascar with her family.