You Are (Not) Small by Anna Kang (review)

This playful take on perspective details a confrontation between two bears, the larger one accusing the smaller of being “small” and the smaller one accusing the larger of being “big.” Each argues his position (“I am not small. You are big”), then brings in backups to further prove the point (the larger bear, surrounded by a group of other large bears, states, “They are just like me. You are small”). The argument is eventually silenced when a much larger bear (only his ankles and feet are visible) and a tiny little bear arrive, offering additional size contrast to the original pair. Husband and wife team Kang and Weyant nail the concept and provide humor along the way. The story’s structure makes it an entertaining readaloud, and the dialogue between the two bears authentically captures child logic. Weyant’s ink and watercolor illustrations are simply drafted, with thick, rough-edged lines and a fluid animation that suggests cartoons without the slickness; gentle brushstrokes add furry variation to the bears’ coats, enhancing their tactile quality. This would pair perfectly with Willems’ A Big Guy Took My Ball (BCCB 9/13) for a playful examination of the way size ultimately depends on who is standing beside you.