I’m the Biggest Thing in the Ocean by Kevin Sherry
Penguin/Dial; May 2007; 32 pp; $16.99 HC
978-0803731929
Core Audience: Children 4-8; Braggarts everywhere
Strengths: Bold punchy artwork; Very funny
Let’s start with the basic premise of this story. Here we have a giant squid that just can’t get over himself. After all, he is bigger than most things in the ocean, and if you ask him, he’ll tell you he’s the BIGGEST thing in the ocean.
Shrimp? Bigger.
Clams? Bigger.
Jelly fish? Bigger.
Sea turtles? Yup. Bigger.
He even says he’s bigger than the shark, but he’s careful to say it quietly. In fact, he’s so busy proudly telling us how big he is that he doesn’t even notice the (very big) whale that’s behind him. But you know what they say…pride go-eth before a fall.
I really love this book both for the incredibly appealing artwork, and for the absolutely irrepressible squid. Anyone who has ever worked with children will recognize in this squid the child who has unshakable confidence about their own abilities, no matter what reality has to say about it. Preschoolers will adore everything about this book, and with successive readings they will join right in. (Fun bonus: Bathtub stickers are included so kids can play out the story in the tub.) Although our squishy hero does wind up on the inside of the whale at the end, he won’t be kept down, and he finds a way to see the bright side.
This is Kevin Sherry’s first book, and I hope it won’t be the last. It’s fun, charming, well executed, and a delight from start to finish.
Bravo.
Rated: 9.0
Extra Bonus: Squids must be a thing for Kevin Sherry, because he also has a fun online venture called Squidfire, featuring very hip T-shirts printed with great designs including—you guessed it—squids!!
6 comments
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March 16, 2007 at 10:41 am
Kelly
I LOVED this one too. I’m going to review it over at Book Buds in May, I hope. Funny, funny, funny.
March 16, 2007 at 10:42 am
Kelly
Oh, and I want to add that picture books have been weak so far this year (imho). This one knocked my socks off. Finally.
March 4, 2009 at 10:22 pm
nealers
This was my favorite book in the Library this week. The kids loved it, and I still laughed everytime I read it. The pictures were inviting and cute, and it was easy for the little ones to follow along with and guess what will happen next.
May 11, 2009 at 1:01 pm
November Reads « Dog Ear
[…] the Biggest Thing in the Ocean: Kevin Sherry – I completely agree with the glowing review by Pixie Stix Kids Pix. It was the favorite during my story time this […]
July 6, 2011 at 2:19 pm
Isagenix Reviews
Have you ever thought about creating an ebook or guest authoring on other sites? I have a blog centered on the same ideas you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my visitors would value your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e-mail.
January 5, 2012 at 2:35 am
Whole House Water Filter Systems
I agree with your view… the only thing i would change this up a bit and make it a little more reader friendly for us idiots, i got confused a little while reading it