The picture book "Am I Small?" is a wonderful example of how a simple question can turn into a profound journey. It is ideal for talking to children about much more than just physical height.
At first glance, the children's book tells a simple story: A girl named Tamia suddenly becomes unsure about her size and asks various creatures for their opinion. But hidden between the lines and in the imaginative illustrations are profound life lessons.
The next time you pick up this book, use the opportunity during the story to talk to your child or children in an age-appropriate way about one or more of the following Top 10 topics:
1. Relativity 🌍
This is the absolute core theme of the book. "Big" and "small" are not fixed facts, but always depend on the scale of comparison, individual perspective, and context. To the ladybug, Tamia is huge; to other creatures, however, she is tiny. This helps children understand that many things in life are relative.
2. Change of Perspective 👀
Every animal Tamia meets has its own very personal point of view, shaped by its own reality (size, habitat). None of the animals are lying; they all describe their own truth. This offers the opportunity for an important lesson in empathy and allows for the realization that people can perceive the same situation completely differently.
3. Self-Esteem ❤️
The journey begins with Tamia's insecurity. She looks to the outside world for an answer as to who or how she is. In the end, she finds the answer within herself ("I'm everything... ...and if I'm everything, I'm also: just right!"). The book encourages children not to make their own self-worth dependent on the individual opinions of others.
4. Diversity 🦋
Tamia encounters a huge range of living beings – from the tiny ladybug to caterpillars and turtles, all the way to the giant whale and even the moon. The book celebrates this diversity as something normal and wonderful. It shows that there are many different ways in the world to be "just right".
5. The Search for "Truth" 🤔
What is "true"? The book poses this philosophical question in a child-friendly way. Is the "truth" of the whale ("You are tiny!") "truer" than that of the ladybug ("You are huge!")? It encourages discussion about the fact that some "truths" are simply opinions or viewpoints. Tamia finally integrates all seemingly contradictory "truths" as valid, individual perspectives into the liberating realization: "Wait a minute, I've got it! I'm everything...".
6. Communication and Asking Questions 🗣️
Tamia does not solve her insecurity by brooding in silence, but by taking action. She dares to ask her question, again and again. The book encourages children to be curious, to ask questions when they are confused, and to talk to others about feelings, questions, and topics.
7. Adventure and Courage 🚀
Instead of staying home feeling insecure, Tamia sets out on a long journey to find an answer. She is brave, curious, and open to whatever comes her way. She bravely endures the state of increasing uncertainty without calling off the journey or shyly falling silent. She continues to ask until she finally finds the surprising and relieving answer. This shows children that it can be exciting and rewarding to search for important answers for a long time, even if it means stepping far out of one's own comfort zone for a while.
8. Appreciation 🙏
Although the answers Tamia receives seem completely contradictory, none of them are dismissed as "stupid" or "wrong", nor are they rejected. Tamia listens to everything and draws her own overall conclusion in the end. This allows children to actively experience appreciation and acceptance of different opinions through this example—qualities Tamia needs for her final realization and which are important building blocks in the process of finding answers.
9. Respect 🤝
Closely linked to appreciation is respect. Tamia treats all creatures with respect, and the creatures also answer her with appreciation – sometimes slightly amused ("You are tiny!"), sometimes very impressed ("You are huge!"). It is an example of how to treat each other well, even when seeing the world completely differently.
10. Individuality ✨
Perhaps the most important insight comes right at the end. After all the contradictory opinions, Tamia realizes that she does not have to define herself by comparing herself to others. She can freely choose for herself from the infinitely many possible perspectives. The answer she enthusiastically chooses is not "I am big!" or "I am small!", but "I'm everything... ...and if I'm everything, I'm also: just right!". The book is a passionate plea for the uniqueness of every child (and every adult, every living being of every age and every size ;)).
And yes, of course, the above "Top 10" list of important themes in the picture book "Am I Small?" is absolutely subjective, and infinitely many other "Top 10" lists with other favorite themes are just as conceivable. Perhaps you might send us your favorite themes that you discovered with your child or children in this picture book when you have the chance?
Have fun reading aloud and enjoying the exciting conversations that ensue!
