Big and Small
Peep Through Series
What’s inside...
The Peep Through series combines important preschool concepts, original illustrations and a fun format to gently facilitate early learning. The large format and sturdy pages mean that parent and child can share the experience, both interacting with the beautiful illustrations and innovative die-cut shapes. The books invite children to peep through each hole onto the next page, discovering new concepts and practicing coordination and motor skills. Jane Ormes' eye-catching prints beautifully demonstrate these concepts and skills and help children to remember them, offering clean, simple shapes with texture and detail for closer attention. Currently with four titles, this series is a perfect way for children to start learning before school. Focusing on colours, numbers, opposites and first words, the series provides an engaging, interactive experience for both parent and child.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
1-3
Length
10 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What are some things that are big in your life, and what are some things that are small? How do they make you feel?
Can you think of a time when something small turned out to be important?
How do the illustrations help us understand the differences between big and small?
Why do you think the author chose to talk about big and small things? What might she want us to learn?
Can you imagine a world where everything is the same size? What would it be like?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use real-life examples from the child's environment to illustrate big and small concepts discussed in the book.
Encourage the child to draw their interpretation of big and small objects from the story or their surroundings.
Ask the child to explain their answers in their own words to foster critical thinking and enhance their comprehension.
Relate the themes of the book to the child's own experiences to make the conversation more meaningful and personalized.
Praise the child for their insights and observations during the discussion to boost their confidence and engagement.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Opposites
Explanation: Through the colorful pages depicting various animals, 'Big and Small' illustrates the concept of opposites by contrasting different animal sizes, leading children to an understanding of these terms in relation to each other.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this knowledge in everyday life by categorizing objects around them according to size, fostering early math skills and spatial awareness.
Example Lesson: Appreciation of Diversity
Explanation: The book showcases a wide range of animals, from tiny ants to large elephants. This variety helps children understand and appreciate the vast diversity in the animal world.
Real-World Application: This lesson aids children in recognizing and valuing differences among the people and objects in their world, promoting inclusivity and empathy from a young age.
Example Lesson: Exploration and Curiosity
Explanation: Jane Ormes encourages exploration by presenting animals that children might not be familiar with, prompting questions and curiosity about the natural world.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to explore more about the world around them, ask questions, and conduct simple research, which can be a stepping stone for scientific thinking and inquiry.
Example Lesson: Importance of Context
Explanation: By comparing big and small animals within the same environment, 'Big and Small' teaches children that context matters in understanding various concepts.
Real-World Application: This understanding can help children apply the concept of relativity in other areas such as learning to adjust their behavior based on different social settings or understanding varied educational concepts.