BIG J AND THE BIRTHDAY PARTY

Big J is in for some surprises when he’s invited to his best friend’s birthday party in Gale’s picture book.

Big J, who has fair skin and blond hair, is excited about Charlie’s birthday party—Charlie, who is Black, lives on a farm, and Big J can’t wait to learn about a life different from his own. He arrives anticipating the best farm life has to offer and gives Charlie a monster truck toy.  However, things aren’t as he expected: The odors are strong (“It doesn't smell good in the barn. Big J crinkles his nose”), the hay makes him sneeze, and he forgets to hold on while riding a horse and falls off. Big J doesn’t know the other children, and he grows shy; being on a farm is lot different than he’d imagined. In this sweet story, Big J learns to navigate the unexpected; the narrative deftly illustrates how initially positive feelings and perspectives—such as excitement and anticipation—can change, and how accepting unmet expectations and remaining flexible can still result in a happy ending. (Friendship, gratitude, and warmth can turn a challenging situation into a positive and memorable experience.) Anderson’s colorful illustrations are childlike and engaging, offering a sense of comfort. This is a great read for caregivers to share with young kids—it has obvious appeal for an early childhood audience and will likely reflect their own experiences.

A lovely, realistic story and lesson for young children.