On an island in the West Indies, a big, strong woman with a booming voice meets a weak, nearly deaf man, they fall in love and expect a baby and a hurricane at the same time.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Opposites really do attract in this sunny picture book set in the West Indies. Miss Tiny, a strapping woman with a large booming voice, is an ironic contrast to her name. With a friendly smile, she buzzes about the green and rocky island offering to help the men dig, build and harvest. In the process, she makes the working men feel weak-leaving her without a mate of her own. But a skinny, bespectacled newcomer, who happens to be a bit deaf, proves just the antidote to Miss Tiny's lack of romance. Mr. Bigman is man enough to both accept and appreciate Miss Tiny's help and the two are soon "smiling together before the preacher." Befitting the larger-than-life Tiny, Gershator's (When It Starts to Snow) text has a boisterous tone that is nearly audible. And in a playful, never preachy turn, Tiny and Bigman's union blasts the gender stereotypes on the island (and in society in general). Bits of local dialect add freshness to the tale. With her bold and cheery watercolors, streaked in bright and fruity hues, Cravath (A My Name Is...) instantly whisks readers to the Caribbean. Red tin roofs, lime-green foliage and a cerulean blue sky evoke the sun-drenched, breezy days of the islands. Ages 5-8. (Sept.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1-A modern tall tale set in the West Indies. Tiny, the larger-than-life heroine, makes all of the men uncomfortable with her amazing feats. She moves boulders, chops sugarcane, and shovels dirt for one struggling man after another. "You'd think that man would be grateful and grab Miss Tiny and kiss, kiss, kiss her on her soft brown cheek. Noooo. He'd grumble and mumble a whispery `Thanks.'" Then, along comes Mr. Bigman, a skinny little man "so weak he could barely move a stone." He has other strengths, though, and he isn't intimidated by strong women. When the two meet, she helps him build his house, he cooks for her, and soon they are married. When a hurricane comes along, Tiny holds their house together and their baby is later born under a dry roof. Cravath's brightly colored watercolors are full of motion and detail that will catch children's attention, and Tiny fills the pages with energy as she towers over the men. The bright illustrations, large trim size, and funny story make the tale ideal for storytimes. An enjoyable yarn.
Amy Lilien-Harper, Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Amy Lilien-Harper, Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Celebrate unexpected talents,
By Annette Wiggins (Raleigh, NC USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Tiny and Bigman (Hardcover)
My daughter chose this book for its bright, beautiful illustrations, but what keeps her coming back to it again and again is the magnificent message: share your talents, and be "properly grateful" for the shared talents of others. Tiny is a large, strong woman with a booming voice who's always ready to lend her back. Unfortunately, she's rarely appreciated for her superhuman strength, because the men on her island think it makes them look "weak, weak, weak." Until Mr. Bigman comes along. Mr. Bigman's talents include cooking and investing money, but he's so weak he can hardly lift a hammer. Tiny helps him out. He shows his gratitude, and before long " his smile is answering her smile." The language of this book is delightful. Expressions such as "mash-up like a ripe banana," and the use of repetition excite imagination and invite participation for prereaders. The gentle moral -- showing proper appreciation for each other's talents, no matter how unconventional -- encourages children to think about what they're good at, and how to show appreciation for what others are good at. Tiny and Bigman is fun to read aloud, kids are captivated, and there's a plug for developing character -- what more could a parent want in a children's book?
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hurricanes as metaphors,
By Laura B "laura-doula" (Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Tiny and Bigman (Hardcover)
What a great book -- fun for kids and the eyes, stereotype-busting, and, works on many levels: what better metaphor for giving birth, than having to hold strong while a hurricane rages through and around one? just beautiful, powerful, sweet and beautiful.
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