Being the Biggest
A reassuring picture book that gently explores the emotional journey of becoming a big sibling.
Then, one day, a baby arrived. And I became the oldest, the big one, the biggest little.
Told through the eyes of an oldest child, this comforting picture book explores the joys and challenges of growing into a new role. When a baby is born, our narrator eagerly embraces her place as the family’s big kid. She helps, teaches and leads the way as she discovers the world alongside her younger sibling.
But as the first to start school – and with so much still to learn – being the biggest starts to feel tricky. Fortunately, Mum is on hand to help. Through playful scenes and moving moments, our narrator learns that even grown-ups don’t always feel like being the biggest. With love, support and self-compassion, she begins to understand that it’s okay to ask for help and to still feel small sometimes.
Joyful, sensitive and full of charm, Being the Biggest is the perfect story for children expecting a new arrival or adjusting to life as an older sibling.
A must-have for families navigating change, this book offers gentle reassurance and emotional insight.
Molly Mead is a writer and children’s book editor from the UK. After completing a BA in Liberal Arts and a Masters in History, she entered the delightful world of children's publishing. This story is inspired by her experience of being the biggest.
Antonia Woodward was born and raised in the Suffolk countryside. She gained a first class honors degree in illustration where she developed a love of children’s books and illustrating for little people. She has illustrated a range of different books for children, including picture books, nursery rhymes, bedtime prayers and children’s Bible stories. She now lives by the sea on the south coast of England with her husband and two small daughters.