Big and Small are machines that work together as a team. "But some days Big goes a bit wobbly, and I get a lot worried." Through the book Big malfunctions in a variety of ways and Small tries to help with the assistance of The Boss, Mechanic and Tools.
The story is a metaphor for a child living with an adult who suffers from mental illness. Big and Me is dramatically illustrated with paper sculpture.
George Ivanoff
This is an A4 hardback, full-colour picture book illustrated with photographs of 3D paper sculptures. Both text and sculptures are by David Miller.
This is the story of two machines, Big and Small, who work together as a team. They work well together and are happy except when Big goes a bit wobbly. You see, Big has a malfunctioning computer, which causes him to behave erratically. Small is worried about Big, and tries to help him with the assistance of two other machines, The Boss and Mechanic.
The story is a metaphor for a child living with an adult who suffers from mental illness. It is handled with sensitivity, in a way that children are likely to understand. It's a book that can be read on two levels. For kids who are living with someone who has a mental illness (or who know someone in that situation), this story is likely to be one they can really relate to. And for kids who are not in a situation like this, the book can still be enjoyed simply as a good story.
On a purely visually level, this book is stunning. The paper sculptures are unique and detailed, and really bring the characters to life.
The book is recommended for children aged seven and up, but I think it's quite appropriate for younger kids as well. I read it to my five-year-old daughter, and although the metaphor went over her head, she enjoyed the story and pictures. In fact, as soon as I had finished reading it, she asked me to read it again. And that, I think, is a pretty good thumbs up.
Guest, 14/05/2010
Big and Me By David Miller
Picture book Big and Me by David Miller (Ford St Publishing) HC RRP $26.95 Reviewer: Jenny Mounfield Big and Small are machines that work together. They're a team. The best. But every so often Big gets a bit wobbly and this worries Small a lot. After one such episode, Small calls The Boss and Big is sent to Mechanic to be fixed up. All Big needs is medicine to sort out his malfunctioning computer and then all is well once more. But when Big decides he no longer needs the medicine, disaster strikes and poor Small is in the firing line. While Big is being fixed up yet again, Small forms a friendship with Tich, who also has a machine in his life who gets a bit wobbly. Through this meeting Small learns that it's not his fault that Big is the way he is, and that with help, Big will get better. Big gets himself sorted and he and Small go back to being the best team ever most of the time. Everything about this book is original. This simple story deals with the prickly issue of mental illness in a very clever way. With one in five Australians experiencing some form of mental illness in their lifetime, this subject definitely needs to be addressed. The creative use of font styles and sizes draws attention to what's important. But the highlight here would have to be the wonderful 3D paper sculptures that illustrate each page. The bright colours are used to great effect, and the machine characters are incredibly detailed. It's obvious Miller has put a lot of thought into using well-considered camera angles for the greatest emotional impact. This is a book that children and adults will thumb through over and over again, if only to try and figure out how Miller created such imaginative pieces. To infuse paper and card with such depth and personality is truly a gift. Of course, Miller is no amateur when it comes to illustration and design. He is the artistic genius behind Mem Fox's, Boo to a Goose, not to mention his own CBC Honour Book, Refugees, and numerous others. While the age guide has been given as 7+ I see no reason why younger children won't get something from this title. Preschoolers understand the concept of illness and the need for medication. The similarity between a machine's mixed-up computer and a human brain isn't that difficult to grasp. Big and Me is a pictorial feast, functional and entertaining. What more could picture book readers want? Jenny Mounfield is the author of two junior novels, Storm Born and The Black Bandit. Her first YA novel, The Ice-cream Man was released in July.
Katrina, 21/06/2009
