I really like the central idea of this book, but I just don't get the meaning or the point. Maybe the objective is the power of friendship? But that doesn't perfectly make sense, even if it is heartwarming. I thought that there was going to be something *bigger* about being a scientist or being a professional at something, since being a "pro scientist" was mentioned so often. This idea didn't appear to go anywhere, and I was pretty disappointed. However, I do like the unexpected ending of this book. It gives it a new type of freshness that is sometimes hard to achieve in children's books. Lastly, I liked the science experiment directions at the back of the book. This allows readers to get involved in the science that the book illustrates, and it helps encourage STEM exploration early on. Bravo for that aspect!

Mo is eager to create the most spectacular science project for his class, focused on impressing everyone by creating the biggest reaction. However, in his pursuit, he fails to appreciate the creativity and thoughtfulness behind his classmates' ideas. As his classmates present their projects Mo learns a lesson about the importance of creativity and not judging others' work based on first impressions.

The premise of the science project assignment, so make something big with something small, felt a bit unclear with it's wide interpretation and scope. This left some confusion about the expectations of the contest.

Overall, this story offers a meaningful message about creativity and open-mindedness, making it a great conversation starter for young readers.

❗️I can’t even begin to describe how fantastic this book is! I’m afraid I’m going to ramble, but bear with me.

🧑‍🔬 As a huge supporter of STEM/STEAM education for children, I’m thrilled that this book emphasizes all the ways a person can be a “scientist”.

👩‍🔬 The main character, Mo, is excited about an upcoming science competition. The challenge is to turn something small into something big. He thinks he’s the only serious scientist in the classroom. I mean, a girl who wants to be a cat and loves purple, a girl who bakes, a girl who plays the recorder, and a boy who likes to run races can’t possibly be “real scientists,” right? Winning the competition should be a breeze for Mo. But Mo soon learns that science is everywhere, and scientists can study a wide range of subjects.

🧑‍🍳 I loved the seemingly unconventional science examples in the book. Let me share one with you and leave the rest as a surprise when you read the book. The girl who bakes made a lemon pie with a huge meringue topping created from an egg. Baking is very much a science that involves knowledge of measurements, chemical reactions, temperature, time, and more.

🌋 I adore this book and appreciate how it introduces children to examples of science they may not have previously recognized. This book is an absolute must-have in school libraries and classrooms.

Thank you @netgalley and Annick Press for an eARC of this book, which I have read and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

This engaging STEAM-themed story follows Mo, a passionate young scientist determined to win this year's science competition. Confident in his own abilities, Mo believes his classmates are talented but lack his dedication to science. The plot takes an unexpected twist, leading to a surprising conclusion about who ultimately claims the prize. Filled with fun science experiments for budding young scientists, this book also features charming, vibrant illustrations that bring the story to life.

Thank you NetGalley, Annick Press, and Sara de Waal and Ana Stretcu for the early access copy of The Biggest Smallest Thing.

The Biggest Smallest Thing tells the story of Mo an elementary student who is determined to win the science fair. He feels he is more serious than some of his classmates and embarks on making the best science experiment. With creative and imaginative ideas, this story will be a great tool for elementary school students to learn how fun STEAM can be.

It was a sweet book about how something very small can turn into a very large science project. I do appreciate every child had their own approach to science, and the art and characters were all very diverse, colorful, and super adorable. I was a little torn on how the main character, Mo, treated his classmate -- but he won me over in the end. It was a tender moment where a child could learn that people are different than they are, and how they approach problems can be very different than they think, but it doesn't make them any less.

What an enchanting tale that captures the hearts of young readers! From the moment you open the book, you’re transported into a world. The illustrations are absolutely stunning, bursting with color and detail that complement the story beautifully. The storytelling is engaging and age-appropriate, with just the right balance of excitement and heart. Young readers will love following along.

Always fun to see a diverse classroom and a STEM themed picture book! Great illustrations and a sweet story about more (and less) competitive kids in a class. Every child brings unique traits and strengths. The challenge from the teacher will capture the imagination of lots of readers - what would you show that starts small but gets big? Thanks to NetGalley and Annick Press for the eARC!

Perfect for preschool through 2nd grade storytime.

A class is participating in a science competition where they present their idea of something small that can become something big.

Our main character wants to grow up to be a chemist. Although unorganized and forgetful, he takes science and his processes very seriously. But the other children present a series of very clever answers to the posed question as well, highlighting that there is no one right way to be a scientist.

Each of the children have a lot of personality and quirks, which would lend itself well to becoming a series.

The illustrations are great and there is a lot of representation among the students (wheelchair, hearing device, ethnicities, weight differences, glasses, …).

For a read aloud, the events and locations are a bit tongue twistery, so prepare for that, but overall a very cute message.

Thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press for the advanced copy.

Mo is determined to win his school's science contest because he is determined to become a scientist when he grows up. He is sure no one else is competition for him, especially his classmate Muriel. However, he soon realizes that Muriel's creativity can help him be a better scientist.

I thought this was a cute read! It was quick and easy, plus it had a great message.

What an excellent STEAM book showing that there are many ways to be a scientist. It’s science fair time and Mo has an idea along with the rest of the class. So many creative ideas are shown. When it comes time for Mo to show the class his project, something’s missing. What does he do now?
A must have book for the classroom.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

This is such a fun story about two absolutely delightful characters: Mo, the forgetful but serious chemist, and his friend Muriel, a creative, free-spirited cat lover. I really love when stories use descriptive language that most people tend to shy away from using in children's media and when talking to kids in general. This book is an excellent example of how talking to kids without limiting your vocabulary will only expand theirs—not confuse them. There's also a wealth of discussion questions and information included at the end. I'm going to be recommending this to many library patrons. Brilliant!