I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean

( 8 )

Overview

When a giant squid takes inventory of all of the creatures in the ocean, he realizes that he's way bigger than most of them! Of course, there are bigger things lurking around . . . but maybe this giant squid with a giant touch of hubris doesn't really care?

First-time author-illustrator Kevin Sherry is sure to garner fans of all sizes for his perfect-for-preschool read-aloud with simple text, bold and delightful collage art, and a lovable squid...

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More About This Book

Overview

When a giant squid takes inventory of all of the creatures in the ocean, he realizes that he's way bigger than most of them! Of course, there are bigger things lurking around . . . but maybe this giant squid with a giant touch of hubris doesn't really care?

First-time author-illustrator Kevin Sherry is sure to garner fans of all sizes for his perfect-for-preschool read-aloud with simple text, bold and delightful collage art, and a lovable squid whose spirit just cannot be crushed.

Choking Hazard - Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

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Editorial Reviews

Jessica Bruder
Sherry's illustrations are refreshingly uncluttered, with colorful shapes rendered in watercolor, cut paper and ink, making it easy for young children to follow the story. Clever composition amplifies the squid's size: he's too big to fit in his own book. He even dwarfs a gatefold spread, which extends to reveal a parade of fish that are all, of course, smaller than he is…Sherry's story is a simple, infectious delight, with wonderful comic timing and repetition that will encourage children to chant along.
—The New York Times
Publishers Weekly

Sherry, whose nature-themed, silk-screened apparel has won plaudits from Luckymagazine and other fashion arbiters, makes a winning book debut with this story of a squid with a fondness for braggadocio. "I'm a giant squid and I'm big," announces the cartoony blue hero, whose adorable googly eyes and pointy head defuse any taint of arrogance. In quick order and punchy sentences, the squid enumerates all the species he outranks in the ocean, size-wise (each statement and its accompanying illustration gets a spread): "I'm bigger than these clams./ I'm bigger than this crab." So outsize is this squid's ego that when the food chain kicks in, and he suddenly finds himself inside the belly of a whale (along with numerous other aquatic creatures), he's only temporarily nonplussed (indicated by several wordless spreads). "I'm the biggest thing in this whale!" he proudly declares at the end. Working in collage and watercolor, Sherry renders his hero and habitat in bright colors and bold, simple shapes that will be surefire eye magnets for preschoolers (and stickers featuring the characters enhance bathtub fun). The squid's unwavering sense of confidence should strike a loud and strong chord with youngsters who believe they're the center of the universe. Ages 3-up. (May)

Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information
Children's Literature
A big, blue giant squid is the “hero” of this tale, and, oh my, is he full of himself! Whimsical illustrations show the many ocean creatures he lords over: shrimp, clams, crab, jellyfish, sea turtles, octopus, and shark (notice how his bravado wavers here, as he keeps his distance from what looks to be a great white). Is the giant squid right? Is he at the top of the ocean food chain? Uh-oh! Along comes a huge whale, with its mouth wide open. Suddenly, the squid is inside the whale, amongst a crowd of all those lesser critters. Does this more-than-humbling experience affect the squid’s bragging? Well, his tune does change--a little: “I’m the biggest thing in this whale!” And so he is. This is a whimsical, charming book for non-readers or very young readers, who will want to read it over and over. For the teacher or parent with educational leanings, why not turn this into a learning experience, engaging the child in identifying all the things he might be larger than? What fun. Reviewer: Judy Crowder
School Library Journal

PreS - A lighthearted, clever story presented in an oversize, colorful package. A bright blue giant squid cruises through the ocean, proudly noting that he is bigger than all the creatures he encounters. From shrimp to shark, he repeats his refrain, "I'm bigger than . . . ," sounding remarkably similar to a three-year-old cheerfully cataloging his world. Briefly dismayed when swallowed by a voracious whale (who has also swallowed up everyone else whole including the shark), the squid rallies by noting, "I'm the biggest thing in this whale!" This buoyant tale, filled with nonthreatening cartoonish denizens of the deep blue (and turquoise and green) sea, makes no effort to be realistic or educational but just simple fun, which is its charm. (Note the squid on the back cover proudly stating that he is bigger than the bar code.) Bathtub stickers of all the creatures in the story with a warning label about choking hazards for the under-three set are included-a curious marketing decision since that seems the age of at least half the intended readership.-Susan Moorhead, New Rochelle Public Library, NY

Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information
Kirkus Reviews
Waves of exuberance flow out of this crowd-pleaser, in which a squid proudly points out how much bigger it is than any shrimp, clam, octopus or fish in the neighborhood. Each emphatic, one-line declaration captions a very simple marine scene, fashioned from watercolor and paper collage on Plexiglass (which is "pried from the windows of shipwrecked pirate ships," to quote the artist's note) and dominated by the smiling, pop-eyed, blue-skinned squid-most of whose body is well beyond the edges of the spread. The arrival of a monstrous whale does spark a sudden sea-change in scale, but even being gobbled down dims the squid's self regard only momentarily; after a quick look around, it concludes: "I'm the biggest thing in this whale!" A gatefold and a page of stickers further enhance this whale of a debut. (Picture book. 4-7)
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780803731929
  • Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
  • Publication date: 5/10/2007
  • Pages: 32
  • Sales rank: 128,624
  • Age range: 4 - 7 Years
  • Product dimensions: 11.30 (w) x 11.30 (h) x 0.49 (d)

Meet the Author

Kevin Sherry is an artist, designer, and the cofounder of SquidFire, an online apparel company which features his unique wearable art. Kevin Sherry lives in Baltimore, Maryland, conveniently close to his deep sea friends.

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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5
( 8 )
Rating Distribution

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(6)

4 Star

(2)

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Sort by: Showing all of 8 Customer Reviews

  • Posted November 13, 2012

    Love this book! The giant squid starts pointing out all the t

    Love this book!

    The giant squid starts pointing out all the things that are smaller than him. But of course, there are some things that are bigger than a giant squid.

    I have to admit that I was shocked when the squid got eaten. I was not expecting that. My kids seemed equally as shocked, but the next picture is of the squid inside of his predator, so that rectified any initial reaction my children and I may have had.


    This oversize picture book boasts bright, cheerful illustrations with tons of personality. It is a perfect read aloud for preschoolers and toddlers. They are bound to love it!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted June 6, 2012

    A must read!

    I read this after I had read the first book "I'm the biggest thing in the ocean". I tied to a unit on squids and also an art lesson. Afterward, everyone in my kindergarten class received their very own sticky mustache and were deemed the very best artist. They loved and wanted it read to them again!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted May 31, 2011

    My 2 year old LOVES it!

    My 2-year old son got his as a birthday gift- and immediately loved it. He took it to bed during his nap, in the car running errands, and walking around shopping. A cute & funny story! I highly recommend it!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 21, 2009

    So much fun!

    This was the first book that my 7 year old son actually went to Barnes and Noble in search of. They read it at school and he desperately wanted it at home. The store didn't have it, but the bookseller was very kind and helped him special order it. He was super excited when we went and picked it up and has read it at least once a week since. The art is simple and fun and the words make you laugh, especially the back cover.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 9, 2009

    Such a great book!

    My daughter is nearly two and a half and she loves this book! It is a silly story about a giant squid (who is BIG) who shouts he is "THE BIGGEST THING IN THE OCEAN!!". As he is going on about this, something bigger lurks behind, waiting to gobble him up (not scary). It is a cute story with great illustrations and a lesson useful to readers of all ages.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 1, 2008

    Really fun

    My 2 year old and I both loved this book. We checked it out from the library and read it every night for 3 weeks over and over and over again.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 24, 2010

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 3, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

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