Little Critter: Just Big Enough [Hardcover]

Mercer Mayer (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 29, 2004 | Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Little Critter

What's so great about being little when it means the big kids take your seat on the bus, eat all of the cupcakes, and won't let you play football? Little Critter wants to grow up -- and quickly. So he builds a growing machine and eats (almost) all of his vegetables, but doesn't grow an inch. What's a critter to do? Just when things seem hopeless, Little Critter's Grandpa shows him that being big doesn't always mean being the best.

Fans of all ages will adore Mercer Mayer's classic character as they learn and grow with him

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1–When big kids start to bully Little Critter and make his life miserable, he decides that the only solution is to get taller. In an attempt to speed up the process, he crams down veggies, exercises to exhaustion, and finally builds himself a "growing machine" to sit in. When his height remains unchanged, he takes his troubles to his grandpa, who shows him that biggest isn't always best. In the disappointing ending, Little Critter challenges the big kids to a relay race that he and his smaller friends illogically win. Colorful cartoons depict the fuzzy brown protagonist along with all of the other animal characters. While fans of the series may not mind the pat ending, readers looking for tales with a little more panache should stick with Helen Lester's Hooway for Wodney Wat (Houghton, 1999), Alexis O'Neil's Recess Queen (Scholastic, 2002), or Pat Hutchins's classic, Titch (Turtleback, 1971).–Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha's Public Library, WI
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About the Author

Mercer Mayer began writing and illustrating children's books in 1966. Since that time, he has published more than 300 titles and created the best-selling Little Critter#174; books. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Mercer Mayer moved to Hawaii as a teenager and he attended the Honolulu Academy of Arts. He later studied at the Art Students League in New York City. outside my window was one of the first picture books he illustrated. Mercer Mayer lives on the East Coast with his family, their dogs Belle and Buttercup, and Tickles the cat. He continues to write and illustrate books for children.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperFestival (June 29, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060539631
• ISBN-13: 978-0060539634
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 9.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #831,340 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mercer Mayer has been writing and illustrating children's books for over 35 years. He began the popular Little Critter series nearly 30 years ago and titled the first book Just for You. His wife, Gina, has been co-writing the series since the early 1990s. The books in this series address the major issues of growing up through humorous storytelling.