Common Sense Media Review
By Diondra K. Brown
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sweet book about stepping into a big, new family role.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
When Elijah's parents have a new baby, Lily, he must step into the role of LITTLE BIG MAN and be a responsible brother. That means less smashing and crashing—and more quiet helping. But Elijah soon realizes that being big isn't always fun. He misses the days filled with outdoor adventures, like running and jumping. When Daddy has to work over the weekend, he asks Elijah to be his, "little big man" and lend a helpful hand around the house. When Daddy goes to work, Elijah does too—on a special surprise. By building a kite, Elijah finds a way to show love for his dad and bring back the joy of outdoor play the family once shared.
Is It Any Good?
A lighthearted and sweet story about the importance of a father-son connection, even when things at home change. Elijah is called upon to have more responsibility and be a Little Big Man in a developmentally appropriate way that connects with readers. The bright pictures are engaging and evoke emotion, alongside the punchy text. The book is a nice reminder that even when things get hectic, responsibility should always be paired with fun.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how in Little Big Man, there are examples of onomatopoeia. That's when words sound like the noises they describe. What's your favorite example?
Why is it important for Elijah to fly a kite with Daddy? How does this activity make him feel?
Have you ever had to take on responsibility in your family? What are you responsible for? How is a family like a team that needs to work together and share responsibilities?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Reggie Brown
- Genre : Picture Book
- Character Strengths : Empathy , Integrity , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Orchard Books
- Publication date : May 6, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : ALA Best and Notable Books
- Last updated : March 19, 2026
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate