Think Big!

September 1, 2005
PreS-Gr 2 -Vinney, a small green frog, is unhappy because he is nicknamed -shrimp - at school. He is too short to see over the counter in the lunchroom, too little to defend the ball at recess, and has the smallest part in the class play -a ladybug. When his mom suggests that he -THINK BIG, - his self-esteem skyrockets, and he finds that he can do everything he was too timid to try before. But he also realizes that being small has some advantages. He can scoot under a pair of legs to score a basketball and can still snuggle on mom's lap. The positive message, endearing characters, and cheerful cartoon illustrations give this book great child appeal." -Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY"

Copyright 2005 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2005
PreS-Gr. 2. Vinney the Frog comes home from school, grabs some cookies, and pours out his unhappiness to his mom. His complaints all have to do with the fact that he is small. Other students tease him and walk off with his ball; he can't reach the chapter books in the library; the lunch lady and the teacher lose track of him. Mom's advice? "Think big!" The next day, Vinney translates this into action, as he delivers a snappy retort to a class bully, challenges some older kids to a playground game, and--realizing that sometimes it's good to be small--slips under the legs of the biggest basketball guard to score. The simply executed art, in colors as bold as Vinney's assertiveness, is filled with comic classroom and schoolyard details. A funny, encouraging story about self-acceptance for kids in Vinney's shoes.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2006
Frog Vinney is tired of being overlooked because of his diminutive stature. After his mother encourages him to "THINK BIG," he both gets himself noticed and learns to appreciate being small. The message is somewhat oversold, but the story is rife with humorous touches, and the chipper illustrations feature saturated colors.

(Copyright 2006 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)