I Am Just Right

I Like to Read

by David McPhail

The boy in this book is growing and changing--just like you! Self-acceptance and change are celebrated when a child gives up babyish ways and becomes a "big boy!"

The boy in this book is too big for his crib, his shoes, and his tricycle. And he is too big for Grandpa to pick up.

But he is just right for his big-boy bed, his new shirt, and his bicycle. And he is just right for a hug from Grandpa, for his sister, and for this book. He is just right!

Delightful illustrations by David McPhail make this confidence-building picture book just right for preschoolers and kindergarteners.

A celebration of self-acceptance, growth, and change!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Rabbits, Animals, Self Esteem

32 pages, Paperback

Published April 7, 2020

About the author

David was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts and attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. While there, he began illustrating. He is now an award-winning author and illustrator of nearly 200 books beloved by children, parents and librarians across the United States. McPhail has garnered many prestigious awards, including a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year for Mole Music in 2001. McPhail’s other books include First Flight, which the New York Times praised as “hilarious and helpful”; and Lost!, which was chosen as an American Bookseller Pick of the Lists.

McPhail has four children, three stepchildren, and is a proud grandfather. He is married to Jan Waldron, with whom he has written and illustrated several books. He lives in Rye, New Hampshire.

Reviews

[Shaye Miller]

An adorable little bunny shares the frustrations of getting bigger. He’s too big for his crib, his shirt, his shoes, etc. However, growing is nothing to fear because he’s just right in so many other ways. The artwork in this book was created with watercolor over pen and ink.

For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!

[April]

Cute

[Rose Rosetree]

Self-acceptance matters. As documented in this excellent picture book by David McPhail.

Besides giving FIVE STARS to his words-and-picture combo, there's just one more thing I'd like to add.

THAT ONE THING
(Which might take a small bunch of words to describe)

Discomfort, awkwardness, emotional pain and more... these can be the price we pay for growing. And not only growing physically, of course, but for all authentic emotional growth and spiritual growth.

Even in Spiritual Enlightenment, when we're using our full potential in life, our hearts can still break... Over and over again, then unexpectedly yet again.

One of the great human resources for moving past inner pain...
Also happens to be one of the great human resources for growing and learning and solving problems of any kind...
Accepting Human Reality

Sure that helps, whether we're accepting what we cannot change
Or changing what we can change;
whether accepting ourselves and what we've done (even if not on purpose)
or we're accepting that even good people -- people we know and love -- are mixtures, and can disappoint us.

Here's to our most graceful learning possible... inspired by the example of this exceedingly graceful book.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book*]

I am Just Right by David McPhail. PICTURE BOOK. Holiday House, 2019. $16. 9780823441068

BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

This is about a little rabbit who is growing up, now he is too big to be picked up, too big for his tricycle and much more. But now he is just right for some new things; like new shoes and shirts, hugs and even this book. Features short sentences and harmonious illustrations.

This would make a fun book for a pre-k read-aloud, which would lead into a discussion as to what they are too big for now. The illustrations are adorable and are large enough to share with a small group.

Reviewer: Stephanie MLS & Author
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Rachel Roque]

This is a cute book, but not really a quality book. I would read this if I had some extra time in my hands for my students, but this will not be a book that I will sit down and read every day. It’s pretty much just talking about how the bunny is right for something is it or too big for some things and I don’t really like how they used to big. I feel like they should’ve used another word it would’ve made the book better. I don’t really understand the message of this book and it’s not a quality book that I would use for my classroom.

[Alexis Hughes]

This book is for all kids, it shows that they grow and they might be sad but once they grow up they will have new things that will be perfect. Just like this bunny did, he was too big for his clothes, bike, bed and grandpa, but he was just right to hug his grandpa, and just right for his new bed, and his new bike. Kids want what they have and then realize that they can get something bigger and better.

[Teresa Bateman]

A young bunny is finding that things aren't fitting any more--his clothes, his crib, his shoes. He's too big for many things now, but he is just right for hugs, a bed, and new clothes. In fact, he's just right all over. McPhail's exuberant pastel illustrations accompany the very simple text in this book that is rich in affirmation.

[Meg]

I think many young readers will connect with the message here of growing pains and not being a baby any more (figuring out where they fit in). That said, I think it could have been executed with stronger illustrations and more pizzazz in the text.

[Jillian]

It's.......fine. It's got a really nice idea, but the execution falls fairly flat. The sentences are simple enough for a beginning reader, and it's a cool exploration of growing up and into new things, but.... it's just.... fine. Nothing terribly memorable, but also nothing really *wrong* with it.

[Melanie Hetrick]

A young rabbit begins the book by being to big for everything: bed, clothes, tricycle. But then he gets new clothes, a big boy bed, a bike and a baby sister. He is just right for everything.

Recommended for one-on-one sharing.

[Liz]

A growing bunny is too big for their crib, getting picked up, and their clothes, but they just right for their bed, getting hugs, and their new clothes. A short book about celebrating the new things that come with growing up and getting bigger.

[MaryLibrarianOH]

A picture book written with very short sentences and repetitive language that make it both a good read aloud and beginning reader choice. From advance reader copy.

[Edward Sullivan]

A lively celebration of change, growth, and self-acceptance.

[Katrina Clohessy]

22 pages

[Kelly]

Very good story about a little bunny who outgrowing his clothes, bed, and other items. It's about embracing who you are NOW.

[Rachel]

Unique focus on how as we grow we may not feel right but then things get right as we change.

[Syntha Green]

A nice story for little ones that are getting bigger

[Kristin]

Could be used to talk about growing up and getting bigger, but there’s not much of a narrative and the message is a bit unclear.

[Miss Sarah]

A toddler and up book about a rabbitt growing up and becoming to big for his life. cute and easy read

[Anthony]

A young rabbit experiences a growth spurt and realizes that he's too big for some things, but just the right size for other things.

[Norkett]

Some things just aren't right and some turn out to be just right.

[Jeremy]

Read with Uncle Richard & Aunt Brittany for nighttime storytime

[Jennifer Miera]

Perfect for toddler storytime.

[Villain E]

A simple book about liking your body as it grows and changes.

[Michele]

My preschoolers liked it.

[Alice]

3 stars

[Stacy]

As a read a loud this is a 3 stars. This book would be a 5 star as a beginner reader book.

[Viviane Elbee]

In this book, the bunny first discovers all the things he has grown out of (shoes, beds, etc.) before finding things that are just right.

[Panda Incognito]

This is super forgettable and ends abruptly. There's no story here, just the bunny character observing what fits and what doesn't as he grows.

[Jessica]

A rabbit has become too big for his crib and some of his clothes. He gets a new bed, new clothes, and a big kid bike. This was a cute little story about growing up.