By Justin Whitmel Earley and Illustrated by Janna Mattia
The Big Mess is a heartwarming story about siblings, family, and working together. Justin Whitmel Earley has written a wonderful story that children with siblings (and their parents!) can relate to.
Big brother Mouse loves baking. He is working on a tall cake all by himself when his little brother Moose comes along and messes it up. Mouse heads outside to start again, once more taking on a perhaps-too-big task by himself. Moose, doing what Moose does best, accidentally messes it up again. After three tries, Mouse realizes he needs to find a way to include Moose and work together.
Janna Mattia’s lively, colorful illustrations will instantly draw readers into the story. The contrast between the small mouse and the oversized food adds an exaggerated, playful feel to the story. At times, the food almost seems as if it might fly right off the page and into your lap!
The Big Mess reminds us that life is inevitably messy, but working together can make things a little easier and more enjoyable. We often take on big tasks by ourselves because we want things done a certain way. But when we accept help and include others, even a big task can feel a little less overwhelming and even open up more possibilities.
Take a picture walk through the book before and after reading. What do you notice in the illustrations? How do the pictures make you feel? Can you relate more to Mouse or Moose?
And be sure to keep an eye out for Roly-Poly on every page!
Bright Lantern Pick For:
Sibling Connections
Family Storytime
Learning about Teamwork and Flexibility
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