Being the Biggest
Published on 19. February 2026
40 pages
978-1-83600-416-5 (ISBN)
Description
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 gently explores the joys and challenges of being the biggest. When a baby is born, our narrator eagerly embraces her new role as the family's big kid. She helps, teaches and leads the way as she discovers the world with her little 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 sometimes Mum doesn't feel like being the biggest either, but that with love, support and self-compassion, everything is going to be okay.
Joyful, sensitive and packed with charm, this is the perfect story for children expecting a new arrival or growing into their big sibling role.
And I became the oldest, the big one, the biggest little.
Told through the eyes of an oldest child, this comforting picture book gently explores the joys and challenges of being the biggest. When a baby is born, our narrator eagerly embraces her new role as the family's big kid. She helps, teaches and leads the way as she discovers the world with her little 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 sometimes Mum doesn't feel like being the biggest either, but that with love, support and self-compassion, everything is going to be okay.
Joyful, sensitive and packed with charm, this is the perfect story for children expecting a new arrival or growing into their big sibling role.
Reviews / Votes
"An upbeat yet realistic look at growing up from an eldest child's point of view." * Kirkus Reviews *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Quarto Publishing PLC
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: From Preschool to First Grade, Interest Age: From 2 to 5 years
Product notice
Fixed format
File size
18,16 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-83600-416-5 (9781836004165)
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
Other editions
Additional editions
Molly Mead
Being the Biggest
Book
approx. 02/2026
Frances Lincoln Children's Books
€10.50
Not yet published
Persons
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.
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.
