A Big Words, Small Stories story, the first by Judith Henderson, illustrated by T.L. McBeth and published by Kids Can Press is a series of short little vignettes featuring Cris and Crat, the Sprinkle Fairy and her Sprinklers. I love the concept of this book.  Short little stories featuring one “big word” per story. The words are really big like “purloined” and “bamboozled” so they are fun words to say. Adults may even learn a new word or two.

After the first reading, I really wasn’t sure about this book.  I didn’t really enjoy it, just found it very silly. That being said, The Bear and The Bee LOVE it! The Missing Donut has become a staple at bedtime this last week.  Each time we read it, my children are laughing and pointing out the “Big Words”.  I love the idea of the big words being thrown or “sprinkled” into the story. It’s a great book to improve your young one’s vocabulary.  I think it’s fabulous that the book isn’t being simplified for the sake of the readers. It’s a book meant to introduce some new exciting words in a really fun and silly way. It has a real comic book feel with the short little vignettes making it very accessible.  At the end of the book all of the words are brought together into one little wee story. The art by T.L. McBeth is very engaging, drawings on white background giving the story a comic feel and allowing the reader to see when the big words are coming.

The first in a three book series, The Missing Donut really drives home the importance of letting our children read WHATEVER they want.  It doesn't have to be a classic story from my childhood, that I loved, if they are engaged and interested they will learn to love words, big and small.  Reading will never be a chore if they love what is being read by them and to them. As adults we need to let go of our preconceived notions of what constitutes a good book or appropriate reading material.  If they want to read the cereal box label let them, if they prefer comics, head to the comic shop, and if they prefer silly stories involving Sprinkle Fairies turning animals into hot dogs, make sure you have a copy at home.