I Don't Want to Be Small

K-Gr 2--Life is a challenge when you're small. In a first-person rant, this younger brother finds his big brother's clothes too big, and he's frustratingly still too small for the big rides at the fair. The boy grows so angry, he tosses Teddy Bear high into the air where the favorite toy remains firmly stuck on a high branch. Each page offers a variety of illustrations in size and number to emphasize the effort to grow tall. Jumping, standing on a box, using stilts or even a sock rope doesn't compensate for lack of height, and this little guy finds he cannot grow himself taller even if he sits in the sun and waters himself with a cold shower. Making a new friend brings much more than just someone with the height to assist in the recovery of Teddy, it brings kindness. Whimsical large eyes and simple lines on cartoon faces highlight the features of children of different races (and varying heights). VERDICT A suggested general purchase, this title adds both humor and understanding to a common challenge for smaller children.--Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano I.S.D., TX