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Just Big Enough (Little Critter Series) by Mercer Mayer — book cover

Just Big Enough (Little Critter Series)

by Mercer Mayer
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Overview

What's so great about being little when it means the big kids take your seat on the bus, eat all of the cupcakes, and won't let you play football? Little Critter wants to grow up -- and quickly. So he builds a growing machine and eats (almost) all of his vegetables, but doesn't grow an inch. What's a critter to do? Included is a full-color "Just Big Enough" chart to measure a child's growth.

About the Author, Mercer Mayer

Mercer Mayer has been writing and illustrating books for children for more than forty years. His most recognized character, the lovable and charismatic Little Critter®, was born in 1975 in the book Just for You. Mercer's Little Critter has since starred in more than two hundred books, which have sold over one hundred and fifty million copies. Born in Arkansas, Mercer now lives in New England with his family.

Mercer Mayer has been writing and illustrating books for children for more than forty years. His most recognized character, the lovable and charismatic Little Critter®, was born in 1975 in the book Just for You. Mercer's Little Critter has since starred in more than two hundred books, which have sold over one hundred and fifty million copies. Born in Arkansas, Mercer now lives in New England with his family.

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly

Little Critter finds out he is Just Big Enough in Mercer Mayer's latest. When the big kids won't let him play football and they take all the cupcakes, Little Critter tries vegetables, exercise and even a growing machine to spur his growth-before he learns that bigger isn't always better. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature

The age-old dilemma of being the little kid on the block is tackled by Little Critter in this charming story on growing pains. The big kids at school are always picking on Little Critter because of his size. Little Critter seeks advice from the grownups in his life. His mother suggests eating more vegetables. Dad suggests more exercise. Little Critter even designs and builds a growing machine, but nothing sees to work. On a visit to Grandpa's farm, Little Critter discovers that being little has its advantages. On his return to school he challenges the big kids to a relay race with the little kids and learn that size is relative. The charming and humorous illustrations are a perfect accompaniment to a dilemma that kids will identify. A growth chart is included as an added attraction. 2004, HarperCollins Publishers, Ages 3 to 7.
—Meredith Kiger, Ph.D.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-When big kids start to bully Little Critter and make his life miserable, he decides that the only solution is to get taller. In an attempt to speed up the process, he crams down veggies, exercises to exhaustion, and finally builds himself a "growing machine" to sit in. When his height remains unchanged, he takes his troubles to his grandpa, who shows him that biggest isn't always best. In the disappointing ending, Little Critter challenges the big kids to a relay race that he and his smaller friends illogically win. Colorful cartoons depict the fuzzy brown protagonist along with all of the other animal characters. While fans of the series may not mind the pat ending, readers looking for tales with a little more panache should stick with Helen Lester's Hooway for Wodney Wat (Houghton, 1999), Alexis O'Neil's Recess Queen (Scholastic, 2002), or Pat Hutchins's classic, Titch (Turtleback, 1971).-Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha's Public Library, WI Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Book Details

Published
January 25, 2012
Publisher
HarperCollins Publishers
Pages
40
ISBN
9780062200747

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