I WISH I WERE BIG

Tiny Ted is a very small bear—considerably smaller than the mouse who helps him reach a raspberry for lunch. He wishes he were as big as a mouse until he sees the size of the cat that chases the mouse. Then he wishes he were a big as a cat, until he sees the dog that chases the cat. His wishes keep growing, until he sees the elephant’s reaction to the mouse, bringing the story full circle. Tiny Ted is an endearing fellow; while the text is fairly pedestrian, Bowman’s watercolor illustrations provide visual fun for preschoolers. As the animals under observation become larger, Ted appears smaller and smaller by comparison; he’s in every spread, and children will want to locate him with every turn of the page. (Picture book. 3-6)