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TINY and
BIGMAN
illustrated by
Lynne Cravath
Cavenish, 1999
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Recommended read-alouds,
Children's Books
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| From
the book jacket: |
Have you ever heard the saying
“opposites attract?” Well,
that’s just what happened when
two larger-than-life characters
met on a green and rocky island
in the West Indies.
Miss
Tiny was pretty and friendly.
She also had a booming voice,
was big and strong, and could do
what men do, and do it better
and faster. She was always ready
to lend a helping hand. (You’d
think that the men she helped
would be grateful and want to
kiss her on her soft brown
cheek. But no, the men said,
“Who likes a woman stronger than
man? Make him look weak, weak,
weak, that’s what.”)
Then
Mr. Bigman came to the island.
He was skinny and weak and a
little deaf....when Miss Tiny
helped Mr. Bigman build his
house he was so grateful he gave
her a big hug and kiss....
Before long they were married
and living in the house by the
shore.
One day, Tiny announced that a
baby was coming. A hurricane was
coming, too. Although Tiny had
blown other storms back to sea
with her big, deep breath, she
was no match for a 200 mile and
hour wind!
But
Tiny did not give up easily!
Vibrantly-colored pictures
illuminate Tiny’s radiant spirit
and determination in this
off-beat Caribbean tale of true
love.
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| A
little about the book: |
When the artist, Lynne Avril
(formerly Cravath), visited St.
Thomas, which is the setting for
this story, she found her Bigman on
the ferry to St. John. She followed
him around, sketching madly. As for
the coconut tart on page 21, that’s
the very same coconut tart we ate
together for dessert.
This story
is a tall tale because in a big
hurricane nobody, not even a
really strong woman like Tiny, can
keep a roof from blowing away,
especially if the beams go
flying--which is what happened to
our house when hurricanes blew
through the Virgin Islands in 1989
and again in 1995.
Here is the
recipe for the hibiscus tea Mr.
Bigman likes to serve with his
coconut tart:
Pick a handful of red
hibiscus flowers and steep them in
boiling water. Strain to remove
the flowers and any stray ants.
The liquid will be dark and
cloudy. Add fresh squeezed lime
juice, and, like magic, the tea
will turn clear and pink. Sweeten
to taste and serve hot or cold.
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| From
the reviews: |
“This is an inventive, appealing love
story of oppposites attracting that
also celebrates differences as gifts.
Gershator’s gently lilting prose has
the feel of patois, and Cravath’s
illustrations are an exuberant mix of
bright colors, expressive characters,
playfully incorporated text, and a
lively portrayal of Caribbean life.
Independent, spirited Tiny is a
wonderful character who pursues what
she is good at and enjoys, and finds
that for every heart, there is a
home.” Booklist
“The writing has panache and the
illustrations verve....” Hornbook
“...This sunny, funny tall tale, which
pokes gentle fun at gender
stereotypes, has a great
Caribbean-tinged beat. The colorful
illustrations are energetic and evoke
the tropical island setting.”
www.clubmom.com
“A modern tall tale....The bright
illustrations, large trim size, and
funny story make the tale ideal for
story times. An enjoyable yarn.” School
Library Journal
“Gershator’s text has a boisterous
tone that is nearly audible. And in a
playful, never preachy turn, Tiny and
Bigman’s union blasts the gender
stereotypes on the island (and in
society in general)....With her bold
and cheery watercolors, streaked in
bright and fruity hues, Cravath
instantly whisks readers to the
Caribbean.” Publishers Weekly
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