Little Big Man

PreS-Gr 2–When a young boy is asked to step up and be more responsible, readers join him on a heartfelt lesson in maturity. Elijah, a young Black child, eagerly awaits his father’s return from work. He’s been promised a special weekend together and is so excited. Unfortunately, father must work and Elijah can help by being considerate of his mother and the baby. He is asked to be a “little big man” and work hard to help his family. He strives to stay quiet all day, working on a project. When father returns, Elijah is rewarded by a trip to the park. Although the family dynamic has changed, so, too, has Elijah. Johnson crafts a narrative in which Elijah’s admiration for his father shines. He mimics his behavior, seeks his approval, and looks up to him in every way. Elijah is so eager for time with his father that he is determined to earn it. Digital illustrations resemble a pastel medium, featuring bright colors symbolic of the happiness in the household. Select words are typeset larger and in unusual shapes to convey the nosiness in Elijah’s wake through onomatopoeia.