Big Blue and Little Blue meet on the sand. Little Blue is struggling with a rock and Big Blue asks him what he is trying to do. On Little Blue’s explanation, Big Blue
lends a hand. This leads to Little Blue (Littles) thanking Big Blue (Bigsies) with a pretty shell, as Bigsies likes to collect them.
Back and forth they thank each other for kindness received until they both have a huge pile of their favourite things. Rocks and shells.
The next story flows on from this as they help someone else on their beach. This time they receive nothing tangible like rocks and shells. Again and again they help others but are disappointed not to receive a reward beside heartfelt thank yous. They decide however that it was worth helping anyway.
This leads to the last story where a friend needs help with something, but this time it is just being with them to provide support. This help only includes their time and a hug – which does much to help their friend.
We are back with Besties Bigsies & Littles (Big Penguin & Little Penguin) in the 3rd book in this absolutely adorable series by NZ author & illustrator, Raymond McGrath.
This is my favourite yet in this series of graphic novels for younger readers about friendship conundrums, & and in this episode – thoughtfulness. As in the first 2 graphic novels, there are three stories, each followed up with tips for young readers on the topic explored in each story.
I particularly love the colours and illustration style in these graphic novels – a style different again from Raymond McGrath’s previous works I have reviewed and enjoyed. The page illustrations are broken up into different numbers of panels, and full page spreads help the reader with contemplative moments within the story.
I love the expressions portrayed by the characters in these stories – so simple, but so heartfelt as I read. There are also spreads in this graphic novel I would LOVE to have on my wall at home.
Author/ Illustrator – Raymond McGrath
Age – 6+
See inside Doubledippers here
For more books in the series see here
For more books by Raymond McGrath, see here
(2024, Scholastic NZ, New Zealand, Aotearoa, NZ Author, NZ Illustrator, Animals, Series, Friendship, Penguins, Beach, Sealife, Helping, Thanks, Manners, Rewards, Doing the right thing, Kindness)