The Biggest Smallest Thing

by Sara de Waal, Ana Stretcu (Illustrator)

Overview

A STEAM-packed celebration of outside-the-box thinking set during a school science fair—perfect for fans of Ada Twist, Scientist.

It’s time for the Scintillating Science Symposium, and Mo is determined to win this year’s competition. He knows his classmates are talented, but none of them are serious scientists like him . . . especially not Muriel. After all, Mo wants to be a chemist when he grows up; Muriel wants to be a cat. Besides, Mo has the best idea to turn something small into something big. He just can’t forget his secret ingredient . . .

As the day of the Symposium arrives, readers will love discovering the scientific surprises behind the Sunnysill Elementary students’ projects, from lemon meringue pie to boogers. Ana Stretcu’s energetic and charming artwork further emphasizes how fun STEAM can be and how creativity can help answer big questions—in the classroom and beyond.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781773219479
Publisher:	Annick Press, Limited
Publication date:	05/20/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
File size:	25 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

SARA DE WAAL is a Canadian writer and teacher residing in Sioux Center, Iowa. She has taught music and art in kindergarten through grade five and creative writing workshops in elementary, middle, and high schools. She believes the best problem solvers are both creative and kind. Sara is the author of the Blue Spruce Award finalist 48 Grasshopper Estates.

ANA STRETCU is a Romanian illustrator who firmly believes in the power of storytelling and specializes in creating illustrations with a strong aw-factor.

Editorial Reviews

Endearing, simple art combines with the gently humorous text to create an appropriate STEM read-aloud for primary grade students . . .  Sweet and engaging.”  —Kirkus Reviews, 02/15/25

From the Publisher

2025-01-18
A young boy broadens his assumptions during his school’s Scintillating Science Symposium.

Aspiring chemist Mo is excited about the prospect of a trophy and a week at science camp for the student who best demonstrates a solution to this challenge: “What is something big you can make with something small?”Mo assesses the competition: a skilled musician, a fast runner, a child adept at melodious nose-blowing, and a girl who can devour a Popsicle in just three bites. And then there’s Muriel, a whimsical artist who wants to be a cat when she grows up. Mo, “a serious scientist” who holds himself to high standards, believes he’s a lock to win. At the symposium, Mo unveils his project—a volcano—but oh no! He’s misplaced a key ingredient. His class shows exemplary kindness, but Mo sulks as Muriel shows the other students her project: She leads them out the door as she draws a purple chalk line down the street. Her surprising take on the challenge charms the class—and offers Mo the opportunity to rectify his volcano. Mo expresses his gratitude, which leads smoothly to backmatter that displays the science behind some of the children’s demonstrations. Endearing, simple art combines with the gently humorous text to create an appropriate STEM read-aloud for primary grade students. Mo slowly comes to the realization that science is also about taking risks and thinking outside the box—sound guidance for burgeoning scientists. Mo presents Black, Muriel appears East Asian, and their class is diverse.

Sweet and engaging.(Picture book. 5-7)

Kirkus Reviews