Cover of Big

Big

by Vashti Harrison

Widely assigned — 3 curriculum lists

On reading-award lists:Caldecott MedalGolden Kite AwardCoretta Scott King Illustrator Award

Big by Vashti Harrison is assigned in US schools at grades k–5. It appears across 3 curriculum references, sourced from state DOE pages and AP/IB/Common Core syllabi. Every citation below links to the primary source.

This page shows where Big is assigned in US schools — curricula, states, grades, and the primary-source citations behind each placement. Not a summary or study guide.

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Grade range
Grades K–5
First published
2023
Genre
Picture Book
ISBN-13
9780241561904

New to these terms? Reading levels by grade · What is the Caldecott Medal?

More formats & details

Other formats on Amazon: Kindle · Audiobook

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About this book

Once there was a girl with a big laugh and a big heart and very big dreams. She grew and grew and grew. And it was good... until it wasn't. When the girl grows big, the world begins to make her feel small. She feels out of place and invisible, and soon she isn't herself at all. But with the girl's size comes huge inner strength - and this helps her look past the hurtful words to see how perfect she really is. With beautiful illustrations and a gatefold flap, this quietly reassuring story explores the experience of being big in a world that celebrates small, promoting body positivity and self-acceptance in young readers. BIG is the first picture book to be written and illustrated by Vashti Harrison, award-winning creator of the bestselling Little Leaders series.

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Why widely assigned

This Picture Book title, typically at grades k–5. Written in the 2020s; cited across 3 curriculum frameworks.

Where this book is assigned

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Common questions

What grade level is Big?
Big is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades K–5. Specific grade placement varies by curriculum — AP Literature and IB English Literature typically use it in grades 11-12.
What curricula assign Big?
Big appears on reading lists for Caldecott Medal, Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award, Golden Kite Award. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.
Is Big banned in schools?
Big does not appear in PEN America's Index of School Book Bans 2022-2024. No documented multi-district removals on record, but individual districts may challenge titles locally.

Why this book is on this list

How we classify

Each dimension below is sourced from a public reference. The full framework is documented on the classification standard page.

Lexile measure
Not classified — this book has no published Lexile measure.
Grade band
Grades K–5 — drawn from state ELA frameworks and AP/IB syllabi citing this book.
Curriculum alignment
Cited in 3 curricula on this site (see “Where assigned” above for primary-source links).
State-level evidence
Not yet documented in a state-level framework on this site.
Removal / banning records
No tracked removal or challenge records in cited sources.
Seasonal / contextual tags
Tagged for: award-winner, read-aloud.

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