Tiny and Bigman

by Phillis Gershator

On an island in the West Indies, a big, strong woman with a booming voice meets a weak, nearly deaf man, they fall in love, and they expect a baby and a hurricane at the same time.

Genres: Picture Books

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a story about a big, strong woman named Tiny who likes to help others. Men are not thankful for her help, because they said, "Who likes a woman stronger than man? Makes him look weak, weak, weak, that's what." I think it's past time that such prejudice and unhealthy notions quit being perpetuated.

Now there is a man who loves and appreciates Tiny. And that is great. If this book had a aha moment from the other men on the island where they see what an asset a big, strong woman is then I'd be highly recommending this book. But they never do, so I'm putting it on the not recommended list. There's already enough women out there dimming their lights so they don't outshine men. We don't need to encourage more of that.

[Nerissa Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK. It addressed the stereotype that women are not supposed to be stronger than men and smashed it to pieces showing a happy and healthy relationship where the woman did the "strong" work and the man did the "housework." The pictures were also fantastic and there was a glossary of words at the end of the book!

[Kim Cassidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiny and Bigman is a rather obvious story about an island woman who is beautiful, strong and confident and how difficult it is to find the right man for her because of it. And just like the main character, this book makes no apologies for being right up front with its message. While that can often ruin a book, in this case it works and works very well.

As Tiny makes her way through the community, she offers her assistance every time she sees a man struggling with some kind of work. Each time this happens, the men are embarrassed rather than grateful for her help. Tiny does not seem to notice this at all. When Mr. Bigman arrives everything changes for Tiny. He views her and the world much differently than the men she has previously encountered.

This would be a great book to read aloud to a child as the words and phrases are catchy and somewhat circular, allowing it to move along easily. The watercolor illustrations are action oriented and painted in the bright colors typically associated with island living. Overall I think this is a very good choice.

Discussion: Caribbean islands, appreciation, stereotypes, knowing your limit, helping, affection, cooperation, role-reversal, compatibility, hurricanes.