
Big
by Vashti Harrison
Big by Vashti Harrison is assigned in US schools at grades k–3. It appears across 1 curriculum reference, 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.
- Grade range
- Grades K–3
- First published
- 2023
- Genre
- Picture Book
- ISBN-13
- 9780241561904
Where to find this book
Audible: new members only · many assigned titles are included with the membership.
Other formats on Amazon: Kindle · Audiobook
As an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases and membership trials at no extra cost to you. Pricing, Prime, and trial terms shown on Amazon.
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.
Why widely assigned
This Picture Book title, typically at grades k–3. Written in the 2020s; cited across 1 curriculum framework.
Where this book is assigned
Caldecott Medal
- recommended·Kindergarten gradesource: Caldecott Medal winners (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 2024 Caldecott Medal
- recommended·1st gradesource: Caldecott Medal winners (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 2024 Caldecott Medal
- recommended·2nd gradesource: Caldecott Medal winners (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 2024 Caldecott Medal
- recommended·3rd gradesource: Caldecott Medal winners (American Library Association), via Wikipedia — 2024 Caldecott Medal
Similar grade-level books
Charlotte's WebE.B. White · 680L
MatildaRoald Dahl · 840L
The BFGRoald Dahl · 720L
I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912Lauren Tarshis · 590L
See all books like Big→ — matched on theme + reading level.
Common questions
- What grade level is Big?
- Big is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades K–3. 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. 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
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–3 — drawn from state ELA frameworks and AP/IB syllabi citing this book.
- Curriculum alignment
- Cited in 1 curriculum 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: read-aloud.