I'm the Big One Now!: Poems about Growing Up

by Marilyn Singer, Jana Christy (Illustrator)

Overview

A perfect gift for a new big brother or big sister, this collection of 21 poems celebrates growing up and milestones both large and small in a young person's life, such as learning how to whistle, riding the school bus alone, and becoming an older sibling.

Growing up is exciting! It's packed with firsts like losing a tooth of visiting the ocean. It's bursting with accomplishments like figuring out how to snap, and learning to ride a bike. And it's full of changes that change you like being stung by a bee and realizing that even big kids cry, or holding your baby brother for the first time. This collection of poems by award-winning author Marilyn Singer salutes significant milestones for every child and is accompanied by sweet, joyful illustrations by Jana Christy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781629791692
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	03/05/2019
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 11.20(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Marilyn Singer is the winner of the 2015 NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry. Her many children's poetry and picture books include Mirror, Mirror, an ALA Notable Book that also appeared on four major lists of best books of the year; Follow, Follow and Echo, Echo, both NCTE Notable books; and Tallulah's Tutu and its sequels. She lives in Brooklyn, with her husband. Visit her at marilynsinger.net.

Jana Christy is the illustrator of multiple picture books, including When the Wind Blows by Linda Booth Sweeney and collaborations with her husband, John Seven, such as Frankie Likes to Sing and Gorilla Gardner. She lives in North Adams, Massachusetts, with her husband and their children. Visit her at janachristy.com.

Editorial Reviews

02/18/2019

Singer’s genial poems focus on childhood milestones: learning left from right, visiting the beach for the first time, performing in a ballet or piano recital, or attending a first “big-kid party.” In a poem divided into three parts, a girl gradually learns how to ride her bike on two wheels; at first, she struggles to coast, steer, and pedal at the same time. But after falling over and getting back on, she soon recognizes that, little by little, she is improving: “Can I zip down a hill? Well, not quite./ But I know I’ll be doing that soon—/ by Sunday afternoon!” Christy illustrates in cheerful, jewel-toned digital spreads, capturing Singer’s relatable moments of frustration, progress, and pride. Ages 4–8. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

A NCTE Notable Poetry Book

“A simple yet delightful collection of poems from Singer. (She) turns the spotlight on challenges that may seem mundane to grown-ups but are incredibly meaningful…The individual poems are short and very approachable; it's clear Singer kept her audience in mind while penning each one. Teachers and caregivers will appreciate the ability to pick up and set aside the book at will, reading only one or two poems or the entire collection in one go. The illustrations…are very in-tune with the offering. Soft lines and smudged shapes help to steer the interest level, and the diverse cast is particularly notable. This encouraging, kid-centric collection of poems is a fun and approachable homage to iconic rites of passage.” – School Library Journal

"Acclaimed poet Singer celebrates the milestones in a young child's life… through a series of poems that, like children, are unique, at times unpredictable, and always lively. Christy's digital illustrations in soft pastel hues reflect children and families of all races and cultures. Children are captured…full of energy and confidence. There's something for every child here.” — Booklist

“Award-winning poet Singer explores the stumbles and triumphs that go hand in hand as preschoolers become big kids…(T)hese 19 poems encapsulate the myriad experiences of a diverse cast of grade-schoolers…Singer's observations span a variety of poetic forms and rhyming schemes…(and) Christy's watercolor images capture gap-toothed grins and snaggle-brow frowns with equal aplomb.” -Kirkus Reviews

“Singer’s genial poems focus on childhood milestones…Christy illustrates in cheerful, jewel-toned digital spreads, capturing Singer’s relatable moments of frustration, progress, and pride.” —Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

04/01/2019

PreS-Gr 1—A simple yet delightful collection of poems from Singer. The collection features 21 poems highlighting the rights of passage which take us from "little kid" to "big." While not every poem is universal, the collection as a whole has more than enough for most. Even if readers don't ever have a first piano or ballet recital, most are going to lose their baby teeth and learn to tie their shoes. Singer turns the spotlight on challenges that may seem mundane to grown-ups but are incredibly meaningful: learning left from right, taking a first ride on the bus alone, or figuring out what to do around unfamiliar people. The individual poems are short and very approachable; it's clear Singer kept her audience in mind while penning each one. Teachers and caregivers will appreciate the ability to pick up and set aside the book at will, reading only one or two poems or the entire collection in one go. The illustrations, while perhaps not exceptional, are very in-tune with the offering. Soft lines and smudged shapes help to steer the interest level, and the diverse cast is particularly notable. When adults appear in the pages, they are equally diverse and always play a supporting role. VERDICT This encouraging, kid-centric collection of poems is a fun and approachable homage to iconic rights of passage. A general purchase.-Taylor Worley, Springfield Public Library, OR

School Library Journal