Big Bear and Little Fish
by Sandra Nickel & Il Sung Na (Lerner/Carolrhoda, September 6, 2022)
Friendship comes in all sizes. At the carnival, Bear wants to win a teddy bear as big as she is. Instead, she wins a fish. A very little fish. Bear doesn’t quite know what to do. But with the help of Fish, Bear learns that although she and Fish are different, they are also a little the same.
Gentle, accessible prose by Sandra Nickel is paired with richly textured illustrations by Il Sung Na in this sweet story about accepting others for who they are.
Can you imagine your book being honored for its “potential to transform children’s lives by inviting compassion, imagination, and wonder”? Well, it happened! Big Bear and Little Fish has been named a Charlotte Huck Award Recommended Book by the National Council of Teachers of English. Big Bear and Little Fish is also on KidLit TV! It was beautifully featured on one of its StoryMakers episodes. It’s still up on the KidLit TV website and you may view it at anytime HERE.
“A delightful tale of unexpected friendship.”—Kirkus
“An endearing and thought-provoking story that boosts self-confidence while promoting friendship, empathy, and new perspectives, Big Bear and Little Fish will become a quick favorite on home bookshelves, a go-to book for classrooms, and a must for school and public library collections.”–Celebrate Picture Books
Awards
Big Bear and Little Fish was named a Charlotte Huck Award Recommended Book by the National Council of Teachers of English for its “potential to transform children’s lives by inviting compassion, imagination, and wonder.”
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Resources for Big Bear and Little Fish
The Charlotte Huck Award for Outstanding Fiction for Children recognizes fiction that has the “potential to transform children’s lives by inviting compassion, imagination, and wonder.” I am truly honored that Big Bear and Little Fish has been named a Charlotte Huck Award Recommended Book. For all the wonderful books selected for this award, click HERE.
The Big Bear and Little Fish trailer is HERE.
If you are looking for a truly excellent in-depth review of Big Bear and Little Fish, take a look at this one by Celebrate Picture Books. It also includes a friendship activity, which is nature-themed.
“An endearing and thought-provoking story that boosts self-confidence while promoting friendship, empathy, and new perspectives, Big Bear and Little Fish will become a quick favorite on home bookshelves, a go-to book for classrooms, and a must for school and public library collections.”
TeachingBooks has organized fantastic resources for Big Bear and Little Fish, including an author interview, an illustrator page for Il Sung Na, and more. Click HERE to connect to these fabulous resources.
For a 20 second video celebrating friendships and including some of our favorite children’s book friends, click HERE.
KidLit TV premiered the trailer for Big Bear and Little Fish on August 30, 2022. You can see the premiere HERE.
Story Monsters Ink Magazine featured me and my books in its June 2024 issue. The article especially focused on Big Bear and Little Fish and Bear’s Big Idea. You can read the full online article (after a free registration) HERE.
My Storytime Corner has put together a beautiful list of Best Picture Books of 2022 and included Big Bear and Little Fish. You can find the entire list HERE.
“BIG BEAR AND LITTLE FISH is a make your heart swell, give you all the warm feelings kind of book. . . . Nickel’s writing is pulsing with simple wisdom and is perfectly paired with Il Sung Na’s lovely rich, layered illustrations. A read aloud story with fantastic layers couched in a simple, sweet story.”
Curriculum Guide for Big Bear and Little Fish
Looking for ways to engage students with Big Bear and Little Fish? Below you will find curriculum guides for Discussion Questions, Activities for Students, as well as individual Activity Sheets. Simply click on the sheets below and print.
