Big Bear and Little Fish

  • Interest Level: Preschool - Grade 2
  • Reading Level: Grade 1

Friendship comes in all sizes. At the carnival, Bear wants to win a teddy bear as big as she is. Instead, she gets a fish. A very little fish. Bear is so very big and Fish is so very small that Bear worries they have nothing in common. With the help of Fish, Bear learns that although she and Fish are different, they are also a little the same.

Gentle, accessible prose by Sandra Nickel is paired with richly textured illustrations by Il Sung Na in this sweet story about accepting others for who they are.

Big Bear and Little Fish was named a Charlotte Huck Award Recommended Book by the National Council of Teachers of English. The Charlotte Huck Award recognizes fiction that has the “potential to transform children’s lives by inviting compassion, imagination, and wonder.”

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978-1-7284-1717-2
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Interest Level Preschool - Grade 2
Reading Level Grade 1
Genre Picture Books
Category Diverse Books: Celebrating Differences , Diversity, SEL: A Self-Awareness, SEL: C Social Awareness, SEL: D Relationship Skills, Social Emotional Learning
Copyright 2022
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Carolrhoda Books ®
Language English
Number of Pages 32
Publication Date 2022-09-06
Text Type Fiction
BISACS JUV039060, JUV039050, JUV039220
Dewey [E]
Dimensions 9.75 x 9.75
Lexile 480
Guided Reading Level M
Features Author/Illustrator biography, Awards, Original artwork, Reviewed, Teaching Guides, and eSource

Author: Sandra Nickel

Sandra Nickel is a writer of nonfiction picture books for children. Her work includes The Stuff Between Stars, Nacho's Nachos, and Breaking Through the Clouds. She is the winner of a Christopher Award and holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. When at home in Switzerland, Sandra loves ambling and rambling and eating carrot muffins just as much as Bear and Fish do.

Illustrator: Il Sung Na

Il Sung Na was born in Seoul, South Korea. In 2001, he moved to London to pursue a BFA in Illustration and Animation at Kingston University, where he discovered a passion for children's books. He completed his MFA Illustration Practice at MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art) in 2015. Il Sung has illustrated several books including Wild Peace, My Tree, and ZZZZ: A Book of Sleep. Currently based in Kansas City, Il Sung teaches illustration courses at KCAI (Kansas City Art Institute) and works on new books.

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

Big Bear and Little Fish

Friendship comes in all sizes. At the carnival, Bear wants to win a teddy bear as big as she is. Instead, she gets a fish. A very little fish. Bear is so very big and Fish is so very small that Bear worries they have nothing in common. With the help of Fish, Bear learns… View available downloads →

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Awards

  • Indiana Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee, Nominated, 2024
  • Charlotte Huck Award for Outstanding Fiction Recommended Book, Commended, 2023

Reviews

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)

“This story showcases our similarities, even if we might not see them at first glance, opening the door to discussion about how we connect with each other more deeply than appearances.”—Children’s Literature

Booklist

“The expressive, stylized art makes excellent use of color, and, like the well-worded narrative, it contrasts the small but confident fish with the large yet tentative bear . . . Fun for reading aloud.”— Booklist

Kirkus Reviews

“A delightful tale of unexpected friendship.”—Kirkus Reviews