A Small Thing . . . but Big

by Tony Johnston, Hadley Hooper (Illustrator)

Lizzie and her mom go to the park. That's where Lizzie meets an elderly man and his companion, Cecile, a dog about her size.

But Lizzie is afraid of dogs, so she'll have to rely on her new friend to help her take things one step at a time.

Getting over your fears may seem like a small thing . . . but it sure can feel big.

Genres: Picture Books, Dogs, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Friendship, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 18, 2016

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Tony Johnston has written many acclaimed books for young people. She and her husband lived in Mexico for fifteen years, where they raised their children. She now lives in San Marino, California.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lizzie overcomes her fear of dogs in this sweet picture-book, after encountering canine Cecile in the park. Timid and shy, Lizzie has to be encouraged by the quiet old man who owns Cecile to interact with his dog, but the results - happy girl, happy dog, happy old man - are definitely worthwhile.

The theme here, of a girl befriending a dog despite her fears, reminded me a bit of Kate Berube's recent picture-book Hannah and Sugar . I appreciated the idea, presented through the story, that people or animals who frighten us might find us intimidating in turn, but I also understand why some online reviewers were uncomfortable with the idea of a young child approaching a strange man alone in the park, or being encouraged to view all strange dogs as friendly. For my part, I found a few of the early sentences in Tony Johnston's text quite awkward - does "Do not be worried," said the old man of the dog timidly" indicate that the old man is speaking of the dog, or that he is the old man who belongs to the dog? - something quite unfortunate in a picture-book with sparse text. The artwork by Hadley Hooper is quite cute, and the resolution heartwarming, so A Small Thing... but Big definitely has positive qualities, but I don't know that I could recommend it wholeheartedly.

[Samantha · Rating 1 out of 5]

While I think this book is OK. I don't think small children should approach strangers with dogs alone in a park. It doesnt show Lizzie's mom until several pages in.

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apparently either my grabbing-books-at-random run through the library before another winter storm hit town (we're Southern, so a couple of inches is a huge deal, shutting everything down) was a particularly good one, or I am just in a very good mood, because everything is lovely and sweet.
I enjoy the very careful interaction between Lizzie and the old man with the dog, as well as the very careful interaction between Lizzie and the dog, Cecile.
I also like the color palette and the line drawing, and how Lizzie looks like a little kid and how the old man looks very old-fashioned, and how Cecile looks like a very good dog. Also, I like how even though she isn't mentioned in the text for the most part, Hooper keeps Lizzie's mother literally in the picture, paying attention.
It's all very cozy and reassuring and low key and wholesome.

Library copy

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah! I too, am "aglow" after reading this (on youtube). "Springingly, oh, springingly." Just, wow, such beautiful language and sentiment, with illustrations that aren't so sweet and so there's a balance and the book can be enjoyed by poets, parents, old men, girls, boys, and even people who don't particularly care for dogs.

I don't know the author's name... I'll def. have to look for more by her.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite liked it - it was very charming, and a nice lesson to see how taking things slowly, one step at a time, can help people overcome their fears.
I was worried at first because Mom was nowhere to be seen, but then I really *looked* at the illustrations and found her, constantly watching, checking in with a wave at her daughter to let her know everything is okay. I wish there had been a mention of it in the text ("Mom waves to let me know it's alright to walk with the old man"), but as long as a read-aloud-er points out that she's there, I think it still works well.

[Chance Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The artwork is beautiful, and the message -- take small steps to overcome your fears -- is sweet. Other reviews seem to think the girl's mother is absent, but she's on the very first page and she waves to the old man, so I think she knows him. She's observant, but not hovering. Still, I can see how the way the story is told can be problematic to some. Personally I'm not a dog person, so I don't really care :)

[Donna Mork · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little girl is afraid of dogs. Old man is afraid of kids. With small steps, they become friends and are no longer afraid.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rated this story three stars, but it's really between a two and a three. Three stars for liking the writing, two because the story itself is okay.

Even the title of this book seems to hold double meaning, although I doubt it was intended.

A little girl is in the park with her mother. When she is playing she meets an old man with a dog. She's afraid of dogs. The man, step by step, encourages her to trust and befriend his dog. He even suggests she take it for a walk ... by herself! All the while her mother is sitting quietly in the background. Gradually the child overcomes her fear of dogs, and the man says he's no longer timid of small children either.

This story sets off alarms and alterts for me. Referring back to my comment about the title - it's seemingly a small thing to lose shyness and fear, but a big thing. It's also a small thing to make friends with a man and his dog - but it could potentially be a big thing. With all the concerns of child abduction ... I'm just not comfortable with how the story played out. If the mother had been more present and involved it would have been much better. Perhaps she planned this situation, but if so it would have been good to make that clear. Otherwise, it is a story of innocence, both of the little girl and of the old man.

[Peacegal · Rating 2 out of 5]

On the plus side, this is a gently humorous book. The old man's funny use of words and statement at the end will make readers chuckle. The girl modeled responsible behavior regarding petting an unknown dog: she asked the owner first, observed the dog's body language, and approached the dog in a calm and quiet way.

Other than that, A SMALL THING's modeling of safety is troubling. A parent is nowhere in sight when the child approached a stranger in the park. When the unsure little girl observes that the man's dog is friendly, after all, the man responds, "All dogs are good if you give them a chance" as the park scene shows dogs of various shapes and sizes. As much as I and everyone else wishes this were true, it isn't. It's time to stop repeating the many-times-disproved myth that all dogs are friendly and good with kids; it's irresponsible.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lizzie is afraid of dogs, but with the help of a kind old man at the park she conquers her fear one step at a time. Meanwhile, the old man is conquering his fear as well, but readers don't realize what his fear is until the final page.

I really like the text. It plays with language in such a fun way, almost like a poem. Also, it tackles a very sensitive issue (fear of dogs) in a reasonable and practical way.

Relief printmaking and digital techniques were used to create the illustrations and the effect is charming. There's a lot in the artwork to invite re-reads.

Highly recommended for PreK-2+.

[Faith Tydings · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want to like this book and to see the innocence in it but the adult in me wishes that the mother was written (not just drawn) into the book a little more predominantly and I wish that I didn't keep thinking that something bad was about to happen. I think playing with and walking a stranger's dog is a bad idea (hence mom should've been more apparent, giving consent) and I'm not sure I can take this book as lightheartedly as the author intends...sorry!

[Clare Rossetter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun tale of a little girl afraid of dogs and her meeting with an old man. The text is quirky, : "Do not be worried," said the old man of the dog timidly. The illustrations are soft almost impressionist in color and text with added simple figures. As it turns out the old man is afraid of children and meeting Lizzie and helping her get over fear of dogs he learns to be comfortable with small children. Sweet story of conquering fears that children will enjoy.

[The Library Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet and charming, but....
As an urban raised mom who wouldn't have let MY two girls out of my sight in a public park, it bothers me how Mom disappears after page one of this book and doesn't reappear near the end.
Perhaps in the illustrator's head, Mom knows the old man, but aside from waving at him, there's no sign of that. So it looks here as if it's fine for Lizzie to approach both a strange dog and a strange man. And neither is true.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was perfect for me. I had visited a PAL story time and one girl who came in was scared of dogs. This would have been a great book.

A girl scared of dogs, meets a timid man with a dog. She is able to overcome her fear at the man's sequential suggestions. I quite enjoyed the twist comment at the end.

[Jenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK. Probably my new favorite children's book. It's not funny, or silly, or any of the usually things that make me react so strongly to a picture book. It is sweet and special and important. And it shows that even little things that be big things when it comes to getting over your fears.

[T.E. Antonino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations. The story was good, but the ending was great. This book can help children to see that fear is sometimes just as imaginary as pink polka dotted hippopotamuses. Wait! Pink polka dotted hippopotamuses might actually exist, well at least to me. Good book!

[Boni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love everything about this book.

[Laura Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my very favorite books of the year. The illustrations are luminous and enchanting.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable story, adorable pictures! Unfortunately, my mind was plagued throughout by "stranger danger", which is why I only give this 4 stars.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

holy moly that was precious

[Stephanie Fujii · Rating 2 out of 5]

In Amaya's words, "Well, that book was weird."

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Attractive illustrations created with relief printmaking and digital techniques accompany a story about a girl who overcomes a big fear. Lizzie and her mother enjoy spending some time in the park, but Lizzie's frolicking comes to a halt when she encounters a large dog. An elderly man, who is the dog's human companion, reassures Lizzie that the dog is friendly toward children and won't bite them. Slowy, Lizzie reaches out and pats the dog, Cecile. Eventually, she takes a walk with the dog and the man, and even summons the courage to hold its leash and then to walk it by herself as her mother and the man look on. Interestingly, after Lizzie confesses how afraid she was of dogs until this day, the elderly man shares his own confession about being afraid of children until his experiences with Lizzie. I suppose you can teach an old dog--or an old person, for that matter--new tricks, after all. I know some reviewers were concerned that Lizzie is wandering around with a stranger, but the opening page shows that her mother is close by, watching from a nearby bench, and seems to know the elderly man since she greets him with a wave. All in all, for both of them--the elderly man and Lizzie--being open to new experiences and conquering their fears is a small thing...but big, just as the book's title indicates. This book might be good for sharing with youngsters who are trying to face their own fears--and don't we all have some of those?

[Katherine]

The illustrations are darling and the message of a child trying something new and being proud of herself is important.

However I did get the same sense of fear that other reviewers have mentioned. The absence of the mother in the pictures and text, and the old man seeming to lure her away is a bit disturbing and makes you feel almost like something bad is going to happen.

On the other hand, I think generally people are taught to be way too afraid of strangers (and those teachings carry on into adult life in a way that is very isolating). So I do like seeing a story where it's okay to interact with someone not in your immediate family or social circle. When you go back and look at the pictures, the mom does acknowledge the man with a wave as the pair walk into the park... but a wave is not quite enough to say "it's okay to take my child on a walk." Consent could have been shown more explicitly and would have cleared up all our worries.

In another review someone mentions that the fear is over pretty quickly when you see mom is indeed there. In a way it actually mimics the fear a child might feel when she's afraid of something (a dog perhaps) but then is reassured by mother's presence.

[Amanda Rehfeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary (Picture)
Lizzie and her mom go to the park and she meets an old man and his dog name Cecile. Lizzie was unaware if she should trust the dog and was hesitant about petting her. She did and realized that petting the dog was a small thing, but a big accomplishment. She overcame many more fears in the park that day. She also learned that we help each other overcome fears by not even realizing it.


Activity
Kindergarten
Before reading the book, ask the students to think to themselves about a time that they were scared to do something, but overcame there fear and were glad they did. Make sure that they are thinking in their brains and not sharing yet. After reading the book, ask the students to name something that Lizzie did that she was afraid of and something that the old man did that he was afraid of. Have students pair up with their elbow partner and share the thing that they did that they were afraid of and how it made them feel once they overcame their fear.

Citation
Johnston, T., & Hooper, H. (2016). A small thing...but big. New York City, NY: Roaring Book Press.

[Bridgette Elston · Rating 2 out of 5]

The two stars were for the two teachable moments this book offered. I liked that the girl asked permission to touch the animal. I stopped reading and talked to my 4 year old about how we never approach dogs without consulting the owner first. About 3/4 of the way thru the book my daughter stopped me and asked me where the mommy was. thankfully it was on a page that the mother appears but even my 4 year old thought it odd than a man approached a young child in the park and asked her to for a walk alone with him and no parent intervenes. we stopped to talk about how she should always consult her mom before she interacts with a stranger.

The story was cute but the lack of parental presence was a huge turn off for me. A simple "mommy, can I pet the dog", permission, and the parent present on every page would have turned this book around for me.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, Lizzie and her mom go to the park, where they run into an older gentleman and his dog, Cecile. Lizzie is afraid of dogs, but as she and Cecile get to know each other on a walk around the park with the old man, she becomes more comfortable. It's a small thing, but a big deal for Lizzie. I love that this book focuses on a friendship between a young girl and a friendly older neighbor, and that the mother is comfortingly present in the pictures, but not overprotective. The cheery color palette of the illustrations made me think of spring, and though I do not necessarily believe, as the book says, that "all dogs are good if you give them a chance" I think it is overall a great story for helping kids overcome a fear of dogs.

[Elisabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stranger danger! Stranger danger! When Lizzie goes to the park with her mom, a strange man approaches her with a dog and asks her to go for a walk with him... The mom eventually reappears and Lizzie isn't kidnapped or anything, but I found this setup pretty problematic. I liked that the author tries to reassure her readers that dogs aren't scary, but dude, "not all dogs are good if you give them a chance." Sometimes they are chomping, biting, growling balls of angry doginess and that's just the way it is!!! I much preferred Hannah and Sugar, which deals with confronting a fear of dogs in a much more soothing way.

[Megan Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

As other reviewers have noted, the ambiguity of the text, even taken with the illustrations, is problematic. Was the whole thing orchestrated by the mother? Perhaps. But the text only gives snippets, and yes, I do wish that the mother was more present, there was consent explicitly given, and even proper dog safety/how to greet a dog (which starts by asking your adult permission first!) shown in the story. Further, the odd cadence and grammar threw me off. I loved the illustrations though. I wish the story had been filled in a bit more in the areas I mentioned, so I could say I enjoyed what was intended to be a sweet, innocent story of friendship.

[Michele · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lizzie goes to the park with her mom. While her mom is sitting on a bench, Lizzie wanders off and meets an old man with a dog. She is afraid of dogs, but the old man convinces her that his dog likes young children...Lizzie then goes for a walk with the old man and his dog...hmm, isn't this the kind of story we tell our children to teach them about stranger danger? While the illustrations are whimsical, and I get that the author wants to show a young child how to get over her fear of dogs --the method just does not work.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read through this book the first time, I was shocked at the lack of "stranger danger" within the text of the story. But, then I read it again. REALLY read it - without glazing over the details in the illustrations. I realized that on the very first page the mom waved to the old man and appeared frequently in the background. You can criticize the author for not including the mother in the text, but this is a picture book about overcoming fear. I think it's a sweet/gentle/funny picture book worthy of a discussion with a child.