When I Was Little

AUTHOR: Jamie Lee Curtis

ILLUSTRATOR:  Laura Cornell

ISBN#: 978-0064434232

PUBLISHER/YEAR: HarperTrophy (August 18, 1995)

SUBJECTS: Feelings, Growing Up, Identity, Independence

READER LEVEL: Picture Book

RATING: 

Review Highlights:

Laugh Meter	not a comedy	giggles	laugh out loud	can’t stop laughing
Fear Factor	no fear	needs explanation	cover the eyes	bad dreams
Subject Matter	light : “G”	mild concerns	caution ahead	needs supervision

A Word About Jamie Lee Curtis/Laura Cornell Books

I am immediately suspicious of "celebrity" children's books, but that is quite unnecessary when it comes to Jamie Lee Curtis' books.  These books are really terrific, across the board, and hold a lot of value for young readers and adults alike.  Each book is chuck full of "messages", but they are never, ever, preachy.  And each book speaks candidly to children about growing up, young and old, gently and with lots of humor.  My youngest child enjoys these books for the humor and language, and my older children can sit quietly with them and enjoy the story or relate them to their own processes of growing up.  The Jamie Lee Curtis/Laura Cornell books seem more than an author/illustrator collaboration.  I don't think you can have one without the other.  The pictures speak as loudly as the words and are a large part of the comedy.  Altogether it's a winning group of works by two clearly talented artists.

About this Book

When I Was Little perfectly captures the feelings of a four year old.  It is a great reminder of the benefits of being a "big kid" but also a nice opportunity to reflect on the younger years.  It will help readers to understand what it means to grow up - to talk, eat different foods, interact with people and most importantly, to know who you are.  The little girl in the story feels comfortable with who she is and that will help young readers to also feel good about themselves and excited about growing up.  My son did say that it felt "girly" to him, probably because the main character is a girl, but he still enjoyed the story. 

IF YOU LIKED THIS, TRY:

Where Do Balloons Go?, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Big Words for Little People, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
I'm Gonna Like Me, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
It's Hard to Be Five, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
Is There Really a Human Race, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell