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kimthomp's review against another edition
4.0
(this review originally appeared on my blog www.rarestkindofbest.wordpress.com )
The Hope family gets up one morning to discover a stray, black dog outside their home. As each member of the family sees it, his size grows larger and larger, through their own fear and lively imagination. They cower fearfully from the massive beast, only the smallest of all, Small Hope, dares to go outside to see it up close. "You're all sillies," she proclaims. The dog is indeed very, very large, but Small leads it on a merry chase, forcing it to squeeze through smaller and smaller spaces until it has shrunk down to a more manageable size. At which point they both squeeze into the house through the cat flap and the Hope family acquires a lovely new pet.
The illustrations alone should hook you on this book (see below), but it's also a marvellous read and should entertain a great variety of ages. The smallest will love the big dog and Small's pluck, the next-to-smallest will giggle at the cowardice of the older siblings and parents, and kindergarten kids will appreciate the theme of facing your fears. Grade 1's and 2's will be intrigued by the small sepia sketches showing the dog outside at the beginning, and how he becomes larger as each member of the family exaggerates his size. A nice subtext here about how your fears can be made larger or smaller by how you yourself define them.
The illustrations are captivating and the book is beautifully designed. The cluttered house holds many interesting objects and recurring figures, including clues as to what a "Big Jeffy" could be. I also loved the effect of switching to full two-page panoramas when Small goes outdoors! (see 3rd illustration below)
A charming, gorgeous picture book which richly deserves its Greenaway Medal. Highly recommended.
The Hope family gets up one morning to discover a stray, black dog outside their home. As each member of the family sees it, his size grows larger and larger, through their own fear and lively imagination. They cower fearfully from the massive beast, only the smallest of all, Small Hope, dares to go outside to see it up close. "You're all sillies," she proclaims. The dog is indeed very, very large, but Small leads it on a merry chase, forcing it to squeeze through smaller and smaller spaces until it has shrunk down to a more manageable size. At which point they both squeeze into the house through the cat flap and the Hope family acquires a lovely new pet.
The illustrations alone should hook you on this book (see below), but it's also a marvellous read and should entertain a great variety of ages. The smallest will love the big dog and Small's pluck, the next-to-smallest will giggle at the cowardice of the older siblings and parents, and kindergarten kids will appreciate the theme of facing your fears. Grade 1's and 2's will be intrigued by the small sepia sketches showing the dog outside at the beginning, and how he becomes larger as each member of the family exaggerates his size. A nice subtext here about how your fears can be made larger or smaller by how you yourself define them.
The illustrations are captivating and the book is beautifully designed. The cluttered house holds many interesting objects and recurring figures, including clues as to what a "Big Jeffy" could be. I also loved the effect of switching to full two-page panoramas when Small goes outdoors! (see 3rd illustration below)
A charming, gorgeous picture book which richly deserves its Greenaway Medal. Highly recommended.
lisavegan's review against another edition
4.0
What shone here for me were the unique and lush illustrations, both the large and colorful ones and the miniature gray tone ones. I love their intricacies and their style. Just lovely and fun to view. The pictures make the book, and they’re worth the read.
The story and its message about fear and lack thereof/facing fear is okay. Actually, I’d recommend this mostly to dog lovers, many of all ages who might find this book humorous, although I suppose it could make for a good read or gift for anyone about to embark on a new endeavor or change they might find scary and might need or want to face. The very young might like it since here it’s the youngest character who’s the bravest.
I did think it was weird that the fearful older people in the household allowed the youngest member to venture outside.
5 stars for the pictures and 3 ½ stars for the story
4 ½ stars
The story and its message about fear and lack thereof/facing fear is okay. Actually, I’d recommend this mostly to dog lovers, many of all ages who might find this book humorous, although I suppose it could make for a good read or gift for anyone about to embark on a new endeavor or change they might find scary and might need or want to face. The very young might like it since here it’s the youngest character who’s the bravest.
I did think it was weird that the fearful older people in the household allowed the youngest member to venture outside.
5 stars for the pictures and 3 ½ stars for the story
4 ½ stars
librarybonanza's review against another edition
4.0
Age: Preschool-Kindergarten
An excellent book on fears and their ability to get more and more frightening if you don't face them head on. An extra star for the semi-graphic novel features of this book with smaller vignettes before the full page picture.
An excellent book on fears and their ability to get more and more frightening if you don't face them head on. An extra star for the semi-graphic novel features of this book with smaller vignettes before the full page picture.
jmshirtz's review against another edition
5.0
Love, love, love the story and especially the illustrations! Masterfully done. I have a new favorite author/illustrator to read!
sidselmittet's review against another edition
4.0
Rigtig sød lille fortælling, og jeg elsker tegningerne.
angiebayne's review against another edition
4.0
A huge black dog appears outside the Hope family home. Every member of the Hope family is terrified except the youngest Hope, Small. Small goes outside and has the giant black dog chase her until they get back home and the dog is small too. The Hope family realizes they had nothing to be scared of and now they have a wonderful new pet. This is a lovely story.