LITTLE BIG MAN

Author Varian Johnson delivers his story of a little boy who is shouldering big responsibilities. Elijah's looking forward to spending time with his father on the weekend, but with a new baby in the family, Daddy needs to work--and Elijah needs to be a "little big man" at home. Johnson leans into the onomatopoeia and repetition that underscore the challenges of helping Mama and being quiet for Elijah. There's a "smash" here, a "boom" there, and plenty of wailing from baby Lily. Judiciously placed sound effects provide emphasis. Listeners who read along with Johnson will see from illustrator Reggie Brown's cheery pictures that Daddy is a carpenter and that Elijah and his family are Black. Johnson's warm, affectionate tone hugs both characters and listeners close. V.S. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2025]