Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Funny, warm picture book embraces humor and humility.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
THE BIG CHEESE is used to winning, and he makes sure everyone knows it. He crushes all the competition and brags about how he's going to win the Cheese-cathalon again, ready to add another trophy to his collection. But quiet, unassuming Wedge Wedgeman starts winning races, and The Big Cheese starts losing his cool. When it's all over and they see each other at the river, can The Big Cheese get over his ego and really get to know Wedge?
Is It Any Good?
This wonderful book is full of small moments of change, and encourages readers to think about their own "aha!" moments where they can make better decisions for long-term happiness. The Big Cheese is a fun read-aloud that can prompt some great discussions about the difference between being confident and being obnoxious, and the power and reward in knowing when to listen and appreciate others. The idea that being loud doesn't mean you're the best (and might make you miss out on genuine friendships) is a good prompt for talking about introverts and extroverts, and the abundant silliness in the story is just plain fun.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about when they have changed their approach to something like The Big Cheese did to competing. What has made you stop and think about how you're treating others?
What can you do to help others make changes to their behavior? What would help you to be more humble? Why is humility an important character strength?
When has someone surprised you and not behaved the way you expected? What did you think?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Pete Oswald
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Friendship
- Character Strengths : Humility
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Harper Collins Publishers
- Publication date : November 7, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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