How big is the sky? by Kimberly Brown

“Our worlds are only as big as our perceptions of it. Reading sends us on adventures to explore both our inner and outer worlds, and in this way, expands our whole experience of life." Kimberly Brown

How Big is the Sky? is a powerful picture book asking some ‘big’ questions. Complete with a striking cover of an evening sky behind a boat and whale, this book provides a fascinating introduction for younger readers to the topic of measurement.  The endpapers provide a brief snapshot of instruments used to measure things which could be used as a starting point for a discussion and includes items such as a watch, compass, weathervane and vernier caliper.

The early pages explain how a measuring tape is used to measure distance between two points. This is followed by measuring height, width, depth and circumference.  This leads to the notion of distances far away and some so small they cannot be seen by the naked eye. Scales used for measuring mass and weight comes next with a clever image of a whale representing something that weighs a lot and a tiny image of krill which weigh very little. There is mention of an anemometer, thermometer, watch and a bucket which are used to measure wind, temperature, time and volume.

In the latter half of the book, the text takes on a deeper meaning. It asks the reader to think more profoundly about things. For example:

‘You can measure how cold it is outside, but not the warmth that laughter brings’
‘You can measure the pressure of oxygen in your tank, but not the fizzing in your nerves.’
‘How do you measure the height of adventure? Or how tall you’ve grown inside?’

This absorbing book challenges readers to think differently and look at the world around them from a new perspective. It may be the catalyst for many worthwhile discussions amongst young children and the adults in their lives.

Themes: Big Questions, Measurement, Feelings, Thoughts.

Kathryn Beilby