- Picture Books
- Ages 3–6
- Everyday Life
Mr Big
A big, scary-looking gorilla longs for friends who can look past his fearsome exterior. Ed Vere's bold, graphic picture book turns a jazz-loving giant into a tender lesson about judging by appearances.
- Best for3–6
- FormatPicture
- Length32 pp
- Read aloud~6 min
The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Conversational
- Repetitive
Tone
- Warm
- Gentle
- Heartwarming
- Funny
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
Mr Big is big. Mr Big is scary. Wherever he goes, people take one look at him and run away, leaving him lonely and misunderstood. But behind the enormous frame and frightening face, Mr Big is a gentle soul who loves nothing more than playing the piano. When he sits down to play a little jazz, something magical happens: people finally stop, listen, and discover the softie inside the giant. Told with Ed Vere's trademark bold colour, spare text and masterful graphic simplicity, Mr Big is a warm and gently funny story about looking beyond first impressions and the loneliness of being misjudged. A classic Vere picture book that reassures every child who has ever felt too big, too different or too easily misunderstood, and celebrates the way a shared joy can bring even the unlikeliest people together.
“Mr Big is big. Mr Big is scary.”
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
A picture book that reads aloud beautifully from about 3, with a simple, repeatable text that early readers of 5-7 can tackle themselves. The theme of looking past appearances gives it staying power well into the early school years.
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- Best fit · 3–6
- Read aloud · 3–6
- Independent · 5–7
Prose load
Minimal
Visual support
Very high
Reluctant-reader friendly
Very
Read-aloud quality
Excellent
Works well for
- Reading aloud
- Bedtime
- Reading together
- Gift-buying
- Reluctant readers
Nothing in the book is likely to concern most parents. Safe to recommend without preview.
Bedtime suitability
4 / 5 · Bedtime-friendly
Sensitive-child
5 / 5 · Good fit
Graphic intensity
1 / 5 · None
Best for
- Looking beyond appearances
- Read aloud
- Gentle bedtime
- Big hearted
Avoid if
- Wants action adventure
Particularly good for children who are…
- Making friends
- Low self esteem
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
It's very funny that everyone is terrified of an enormous gorilla who really just wants to play the piano and make a friend. When Mr Big's jazz finally makes people stop and listen, the relief and warmth are wonderful, and children instantly root for him.
- Being understood finally
- Secret skill
- Friendship and belonging
Why parents love it
Ed Vere's bold, jazz-cool artwork and pared-back text make this a lovely read-aloud that opens up a real conversation about loneliness, kindness and not judging on appearances. The restraint is the craft: a big message carried lightly.
- Beautiful illustrations
- Bedtime appropriate
- Conversation starter
- Shared humour
About the author & illustrator
Ed Vere.
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