The Big One
Will be published approx. on 30. June 2026
Book
Hardback
40 pages
979-8-217-02832-0 (ISBN)
Description
A heartwarming picture book in which a small child and her tenacious nana work together to catch the biggest fish in the sea - only to realize that their sweet bait has lured in something much bigger.
Marina was the smallest of the town's children.
Nana was the oldest of the town's elders.
But even the old and the small have dreams.
When word spreads around their small fishing town that the Big One is close to shore, Marina and Nana know that they will be the ones to catch the elusive and legendary fish. "When we catch the Big One," says Nana, "we'll need four hands to haul him in and two mouths to tell the story."
They set out in a tiny boat with only grit, gumption, and a rose-ripe peach for bait. But the Big One doesn't appear that day. Or the day after that. Each time, Marina listens carefully for the swish of the Big One's tail, but each time there's nary a nibble on their peach. Nana is certain they'll catch him, but Marina isn't so sure anymore. Then one morning, when the mist is so thick they can't see a thing, something giant nudges the boat. What they find is something much bigger - and astounding - than they could have ever imagined!
Written by the bestselling author of The 57 Bus and the Escargot series, Dashka Slater, and beautifully illustrated by Myo Yim, this tale of adventure celebrates the spirit of perseverance and inspires both the young and the young-at-heart to keep fishing for their dreams.
Marina was the smallest of the town's children.
Nana was the oldest of the town's elders.
But even the old and the small have dreams.
When word spreads around their small fishing town that the Big One is close to shore, Marina and Nana know that they will be the ones to catch the elusive and legendary fish. "When we catch the Big One," says Nana, "we'll need four hands to haul him in and two mouths to tell the story."
They set out in a tiny boat with only grit, gumption, and a rose-ripe peach for bait. But the Big One doesn't appear that day. Or the day after that. Each time, Marina listens carefully for the swish of the Big One's tail, but each time there's nary a nibble on their peach. Nana is certain they'll catch him, but Marina isn't so sure anymore. Then one morning, when the mist is so thick they can't see a thing, something giant nudges the boat. What they find is something much bigger - and astounding - than they could have ever imagined!
Written by the bestselling author of The 57 Bus and the Escargot series, Dashka Slater, and beautifully illustrated by Myo Yim, this tale of adventure celebrates the spirit of perseverance and inspires both the young and the young-at-heart to keep fishing for their dreams.
Reviews / Votes
"A quietly triumphant intergenerational chase story." -Kirkus Reviews"Via a yarn-spinning voice and pencil and pastel artwork that's rich in salt-sprayed atmosphere, the creators craft an immersive adventure that's as bountiful as the sea it celebrates." -Publishers Weekly
"With its evocative language and themes of determination and environmentalism, this observant multigenerational nature story makes a pleasing pick for poetic young adventurers." -Booklist
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Random House USA Inc
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: From Preschool to Third Grade, Interest Age: From 4 to 8 years
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
FULL-COLOR ILLUSTRATIONS
Dimensions
Height: 286 mm
Width: 226 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight
567 gr
ISBN-13
979-8-217-02832-0 (9798217028320)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Dashka Slater is an award-winning journalist and the author of numerous books of fiction and nonfiction for children, teenagers, and adults. Her book, The 57 Bus, was a New York Times bestseller and received several accolades, including the Stonewall Book Award, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor, and was listed on Time magazine's list of the 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time. Her children's books include the beloved Escargot series, illustrated by Sydney Hanson; The Antlered Ship, illustrated by The Fan Brothers, which received four starred reviews; Wild Blue, illustrated by Laura Hughes and many more. She lives in Oakland, California.
Myo Yim has worked as an illustrator of magazines and children's books. Her work has appeared in more than fifteen books, including Filo's Butterflies, written by Litea Fuata, Shoes Off Please written by Helena Ku Rhee, Wilder Child written by Nicolette Sowder, and Rajah Street, which she wrote and illustrated. Originally from Seoul, South Korea, Myo now lives in Byron Bay, Australia, with her husband and two boys.
Myo Yim has worked as an illustrator of magazines and children's books. Her work has appeared in more than fifteen books, including Filo's Butterflies, written by Litea Fuata, Shoes Off Please written by Helena Ku Rhee, Wilder Child written by Nicolette Sowder, and Rajah Street, which she wrote and illustrated. Originally from Seoul, South Korea, Myo now lives in Byron Bay, Australia, with her husband and two boys.