A Small Thing . . . but Big

Starred review from August 15, 2016
It’s a glorious day in a classically styled park: big trees line the avenues, and water sparkles in a fountain. Visiting with her mother, Lizzie encounters an elegantly dressed elderly gentleman who is walking his dog, Cecile. The dog seems nice, but Lizzie is fearful. Cecile’s owner sees that Lizzie wants to be brave, however, and with quiet encouragement and a little humor (“Does she bite?” asks Lizzie. “Only her food,” says the man), Lizzie sheds her fears step by step. By the end of the story, she walks Cecile around the park all by herself. It’s a lovely story about a transformative connection that goes both ways, as well as the power of modest revelations—beautifully summed up in the book’s title, which is also a refrain in the text. There’s also just enough reassurance for grownups—Hooper (The Iridescence of Birds) visually establishes that Lizzie’s mother and the gentleman are friends—to assuage any misgivings about stranger danger. Johnston’s (First Grade, Here I Come!) concise, courtly prose and Hooper’s graceful illustrations exude an old-fashioned sweetness. Ages 4–7. Illustrator’s agency: Marlena Agency.

A child overcomes her fear of dogs--and finds that even small steps forward can be big.At the park, Lizzie happily busies herself chasing butterflies and tiptoeing around the fountain's edge, until she realizes she's close to a dog. Wonderfully composed illustrations perfectly place the silhouette of a seemingly large canine in the foreground, while the rosy-cheeked white child is frozen midstep, her anxiety clear. However, gentle Cecile turns out to be a well-mannered (and quite adorable) pooch of small stature. The dog's benevolent owner, a white-bearded older gentleman, also white, encourages Lizzie to pat Cecile, and when she accomplishes this feat, the two recognize that it was "A small thing, but big." And so the little girl, with her black hair enchantingly tied up in two topknots, goes from tentatively walking beside Cecile to holding her leash to walking Cecile around the park by herself. This proud moment is delightfully depicted in a spontaneous, simplified drawing style. The artwork, done using linotype prints and digital manipulation in a warm, pastel palette, invites readers to explore the lovely park environment with Lizzie. Parents will also appreciate the artist's inclusion of Lizzie's mother in various spreads, acknowledging her approval of Lizzie's interactions. Johnston's economical text about conquering fears also focuses on finding the good in each dog and in the small actions of all. Hooper's charming illustrations make Lizzie's brave walk an absolute delight. (Picture book. 3-8) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from August 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 2-What could be a more carefree experience than a trip to the park with one's mother? After exploring, however, Lizzie finds herself face-to-face with a dog-and she freezes. The gentleman at the other end of the leash "timidly" responds to some of her nervous questions and then encourages her to pat Cecile. This "small thing, but big [step]" gradually leads to other brave acts, from holding the leash to walking the dog by herself. Johnston's poetic dialogue is perfectly paced to indicate the paradoxical desire and discomfort experienced by both main characters, as well as their giddy joy upon reaching out ("'She is quite adoring being with you, ' the old man said shyly."). Lizzie notes: "How springingly she walks," imitating the dog's movements. By the story's conclusion, the introverted man and child are "aglow." Hooper's relief printmaking and digital designs employ a summery palette with blocks of color, object groupings, and wrought iron grillwork to create depth against spacious white backgrounds. She makes strategic use of the gutters to produce mirror images of girl and dog, each with big grins; short black lines define one head with loose pigtails and another with perky ears. Classical statuary directs attention and adds symbolic meaning; other park encounters reinforce the theme. Hooper establishes a friendly rapport between Lizzie's mother and the gentleman from the beginning to allay stranger concerns. VERDICT This intergenerational tale of kindred spirits facing fears and finding friendship is certain to inspire courage in readers. A sublime read-aloud for small group sharing.-Wendy Lukehart, District of Columbia Public Library

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from October 1, 2016
Preschool-G *Starred Review* At the park, Lizzie is intrigued by Cecile, a dog accompanied by an old gentleman, but she's a little fearful, too. Does she bite?' asked Lizzie anxiously. / Only her food, ' said the old man. With his encouragement, she pats the dog. After more timid questions and reassuring answers, Lizzie finds the courage to walk alongside them for a little while and, later, to walk Cecile on her own. Watching events unfold from a little distance, Lizzie's mom gives her daughter a bit of independence but stays reassuringly within sight. Each time Lizzie tries something new, the man or the narrator repeats the title phrase: A small thing, but big. Afterward, Lizzie tells the man, Before today, I was very afraid of dogs, and he responds by confessing a fear of his own, one that may surprise children. Few writers can match Johnston's sense of language, audience, and storytelling in a picture book, and this quiet, precise text is one of her best. The illustrator of Patricia MacLachlan's The Iridescence of Birds (2014), Hooper uses relief printmaking and digital techniques to capture the sense and spirit of Lizzie's story within a setting that's full of light and air. A buoyant book just right for reading aloud.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)