LITTLE PERSON

A small boy goes about his day.

The first spread introduces Little Person as a child with light skin and dark hair who “lives in an apartment in a big city.” Ensuing pages show Little Person navigating everyday life, with a parent present to provide nurturing care and company in the warmly illustrated scenes around the city and at home. The name Daddy is used once, while Dad is mentioned later on. Only one adult is depicted on any given page and never fully seen (their skin is light). This illustrative choice, along with the use of both names, opens the door for readers to read Little Person as the son of two fathers. There is no storyline to follow, and the voice of the text, translated from Spanish, feels as though it’s that of a parent detailing Little Person’s likes (books, imaginative play), skills (“He knows how to imitate the language of the birds”), and challenges (falling down, though Daddy is there to offer comfort). It ends on a wistful note that seems pitched to adults rather than child readers: “Soon enough, Little Person will be Big Person.” (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A sweet children’s book that ultimately seems more wrapped up in big people’s feelings than little ones’.