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BIG and Small in the Mirror:
An alternate cover for this ASIN can be found here.
Friends Carlo and Marco learn the effects of bullying on their self-images and that positive relationships help them grow.
A discussion page appears at the end of the story to help foster a deeper understanding of the issue of bullying, and to put the story in perspective. The author creates empathy for the victims while at the same time showing that bullies don’t feel good about themselves.
Big and Small in the Mirror is the first of a trilogy of books about bullying that happens at school. The author uses the same characters and setting as The Magic Leaf — Carlo and Marco in a small Italian town named Roseto. Each book will focus on a different aspect of bullying.
Friends Carlo and Marco learn the effects of bullying on their self-images and that positive relationships help them grow.
A discussion page appears at the end of the story to help foster a deeper understanding of the issue of bullying, and to put the story in perspective. The author creates empathy for the victims while at the same time showing that bullies don’t feel good about themselves.
Big and Small in the Mirror is the first of a trilogy of books about bullying that happens at school. The author uses the same characters and setting as The Magic Leaf — Carlo and Marco in a small Italian town named Roseto. Each book will focus on a different aspect of bullying.
- GenresPicture Books
38 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 20, 2015
128 people want to read
About the author
Mary Feliciani
4 books105 followersMary Feliciani is a Canadian author, independent publisher and an elementary school teacher. She attended UTM where she studied psychology and still lives in Mississauga, Ontario. Mary's background in psychology, work with children and passionate interest in the human condition, which stems back as far as she can remember, are all evident in her writing.
Author's Page on Amazon
amazon.com/author/maryfeliciani
List of Children's books:
The Magic Leaf: Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VQLIRB6
iTunes (iBooks): https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-m...
Big and Small in the Mirror: Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0128U1DBO
iTunes (iBooks) :https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/big-...
The Invisible Boy: Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/2CKFRoW
iTunes (iBooks): http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id129...
Humanitarians, Visionaries, Heroes, and You on : Amazon.ca: https://bit.ly/2PyZsjG
Author's Page on Amazon
amazon.com/author/maryfeliciani
List of Children's books:
The Magic Leaf: Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VQLIRB6
iTunes (iBooks): https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-m...
Big and Small in the Mirror: Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0128U1DBO
iTunes (iBooks) :https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/big-...
The Invisible Boy: Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/2CKFRoW
iTunes (iBooks): http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id129...
Humanitarians, Visionaries, Heroes, and You on : Amazon.ca: https://bit.ly/2PyZsjG
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 9, 2020
Marco and Carlo - best friends - do everything together. Eating lunch, talking and (above all) playing soccer.
Brrring! Brrring! Brrring! The recess bell rang as the double doors were swung open...
They take recess seriously - extremely seriously.
There was no time to waste, and the ten fourth grade boys ran with lightening speed, their feet barely touching the ground.But something...new is happening. And it's not a good thing.
"You idiot!" His voice cut through every other sound in the schoolyard. "What's the matter with you?"Danny - one of the fourth graders - has a mean streak and is lashing out.
Carlo and Marco don't know what to do and instead of defending each other, they do nothing.
And somehow....that is worse.
Will the two friends stand up and save the day? Or will their friendship be ruined forever?
Overall - I rather enjoyed this one.
So many bullying books feel heavy-handed and kind of cheesy but BIG and Small in the Mirror did a good job of showing how kids feel when they are bullied and when they watch a friend being bullied.
It also provided realistic responses and possible outcomes (again - without ever feeling cheesy).
The book did feel a smidge repetitive - in part because both boys end up experiencing somewhat similar situations but I don't think it would be too noticeable to a younger audience.
The workbook questions at the end provided a good way for children to think about bullying and apply what they read in the book to their own lives.
I also quite enjoyed the illustrations - they were well done and rather cute to boot!
With thanks to the author for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
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February 7, 2017
I really enjoyed reading Big and Small in the Mirror.
This book deals with a very real issue of childhood bullying, and gives children an insight into different forms of bullying and how to deal with it.
The target Audience for this book is 8-10 years old.
This book can be read alone, with parents or in a group.
The main Characters in this book are Carlo, Marco and Danny.
Carlo and Marco are best friends and Danny is the school Bully.
The book is based on bullying in school.
Mary uses a Mirror to represent how each child is feeling. Both Carlo once bullied and Danny doing the bullying.
I really enjoyed how Mary encorporated the mirror to represent the children's self worth.
I loved the opening scene as most bullying happens at playtime when no one is about.
The playground bit where they picked teams can be awful if you are not such a strong player, the feeling of being last is awful.
I loved how when Carlos looked into the mirror after events had gone well, like getting he's homework correct he's self worth and confidence grew.
It was fantastic to visualise and a great talking point to get children to understand feelings and to express themselves.
The illustrations were beautiful and very appropriate I felt they were very relevant to the story especially the mirror pictures as it helps children visualise what is meant by Carlos and Danny feeling shorter!
The ending was fantastic!!
I loved how all though Carlos got angry with he's fists clenched he used he's brain and words to let Danny know he won't be standing for anymore of he's rage and bullying.
The moment at the end was touching when Carlo and Marco were mighty pleased with them selves.
I like how they decided to speak to their teacher as it gives a clear message that Danny's behaviour is not acceptable and it's ok to speak out.
At the end of the book Mary has encorporated some discussion questions that can be discussed with children.
I think this is a fantastic addition.
Bullying is such a sensitive subject and children often find it difficult to tell someone how they are feeling.
Mary allows children to open up without feeling scared.
I highly recommend this book, can't wait to see if there will be more.
I received this book from Mary in exchange for a fair review.
This book deals with a very real issue of childhood bullying, and gives children an insight into different forms of bullying and how to deal with it.
The target Audience for this book is 8-10 years old.
This book can be read alone, with parents or in a group.
The main Characters in this book are Carlo, Marco and Danny.
Carlo and Marco are best friends and Danny is the school Bully.
The book is based on bullying in school.
Mary uses a Mirror to represent how each child is feeling. Both Carlo once bullied and Danny doing the bullying.
I really enjoyed how Mary encorporated the mirror to represent the children's self worth.
I loved the opening scene as most bullying happens at playtime when no one is about.
The playground bit where they picked teams can be awful if you are not such a strong player, the feeling of being last is awful.
I loved how when Carlos looked into the mirror after events had gone well, like getting he's homework correct he's self worth and confidence grew.
It was fantastic to visualise and a great talking point to get children to understand feelings and to express themselves.
The illustrations were beautiful and very appropriate I felt they were very relevant to the story especially the mirror pictures as it helps children visualise what is meant by Carlos and Danny feeling shorter!
The ending was fantastic!!
I loved how all though Carlos got angry with he's fists clenched he used he's brain and words to let Danny know he won't be standing for anymore of he's rage and bullying.
The moment at the end was touching when Carlo and Marco were mighty pleased with them selves.
I like how they decided to speak to their teacher as it gives a clear message that Danny's behaviour is not acceptable and it's ok to speak out.
At the end of the book Mary has encorporated some discussion questions that can be discussed with children.
I think this is a fantastic addition.
Bullying is such a sensitive subject and children often find it difficult to tell someone how they are feeling.
Mary allows children to open up without feeling scared.
I highly recommend this book, can't wait to see if there will be more.
I received this book from Mary in exchange for a fair review.
March 20, 2017
Very interesting book about the pertinent subject of bullying. I think such a thoughtful approach would really speak to children. The illustrations are very sweet. The addition of discussion questions in the back can be very useful.
August 11, 2017
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my review in any way and the thoughts expressed are my own.
This story focuses on three boys and their experiences with bullying. I thought the title could be a little more obvious to the theme but it does reference a major part of the story. It was good to see how Carlo thought Danny was his friend until Danny started bullying him, it shows that bullying can come from the most unexpected places. The book would be good for children learning about bullying and the illustrations were good. In the end, the two boys realised a very mature way of dealing with bullying which felt unrealistic considering their age. It is a good thing for children to learn but might have worked better coming from the narrator instead. I give it 3/5.
This story focuses on three boys and their experiences with bullying. I thought the title could be a little more obvious to the theme but it does reference a major part of the story. It was good to see how Carlo thought Danny was his friend until Danny started bullying him, it shows that bullying can come from the most unexpected places. The book would be good for children learning about bullying and the illustrations were good. In the end, the two boys realised a very mature way of dealing with bullying which felt unrealistic considering their age. It is a good thing for children to learn but might have worked better coming from the narrator instead. I give it 3/5.
April 10, 2017
This is a wonderful children's book about bullying. I loved the illustrations and the story. I think this is a great book for kids and I enjoyed it as well. * I received this book from the author---this is my honest review*
July 26, 2017
Big and Small in the Mirror by Mary Feliciani is an illustrated short story for children, where Carlo and his bestie Marco, face some incidences in their school which gives them lessons for life.
It is recess and all the fourth grade boys are out to play soccer. Carlo and Danny are the captains of their respective teams. Since the game was not yet completed in the morning, the boys decide to continue with it, and thus begins the running around. After a while, a situation arises when Carlo, by mistake kicks Danny instead of the ball. Quick to realize his mistake, Carlo apologizes but Danny’s temper soars and he abuses Carlo, and even pushes him to the ground. Stunned, Carlo takes in all the bullying without uttering a single word. Back at home, Carlo finds his mirror reflection 6’’ shorter than his actual height. Unable to understand, he goes to his room and ponders over Danny’s behavior. At the dinner table, Carlo is upset and his elder brother tries to cheer him up but to no avail. Later, Carlo finishes his homework with the help of his brother before heading out to play with Marco. On the way, he looks into the mirror and finds himself only 3’’ shorter than actual. Happy, he enjoys his evening with Marco. Next day, before going to school, he looks into the mirror again and finds that his reflection is now of his actual height!
Meanwhile, Danny after going home from school that day, found himself 6’’ shorter in the mirror and remained so the next day too, when he checked before going to school. It saddened him.
Marco and Danny were in the same class. A couple of days later, during a question answer session, Danny answered wrong to a question while Marco gave the right answer, though he answered the next question wrong. Danny, seething with anger, grabbed the opportunity to humiliate Marco along with few other students, making Marco feel bad. Later that day in his room, Marco found himself looking at his mirror reflection, 6’’ shorter than his actual height. Unable to understand, he went out to play with Carlo and confided in him. Both of them decided to stand up to Danny’s bullying. The next day, before going to school, Marco was happy to see his reflection at the same height as his actual, while Danny still found himself small.
At the playground, when Marco missed to save a goal, Danny started towards him and hurled abuses, to which Marco answered back. He didn’t feel bad like the other day when Danny had bullied him, instead he felt good to have defied his bully. From that day on, Carlo and Marco stopped taking negative vibes from bullies and stood firm for themselves.
The illustrations are different than the author’s previous book, The Magic Leaf, and are a little more realistic. The plotline is simple, bullying is not good, and so is not standing up to it. By the means of a relatable story, the author tries to shout out to all those poor kids, who are unable to help themselves when they are bullied, to take a firm ground and stand up, and also to those who are bullies, to mend their ways. In a very simple way, the effects of bullying are shown, both on the bully and the bullied. The change in the outlook of each towards themselves speaks enough to make them rethink of their action/inaction. I appreciate the author for bringing out such stories, which is entertaining as well as educating children and hope she succeeds in bringing about the change she is looking for, in imparting morals into children and making them grow into good beings. Suggested for children of pre-teens, especially boys.
It is recess and all the fourth grade boys are out to play soccer. Carlo and Danny are the captains of their respective teams. Since the game was not yet completed in the morning, the boys decide to continue with it, and thus begins the running around. After a while, a situation arises when Carlo, by mistake kicks Danny instead of the ball. Quick to realize his mistake, Carlo apologizes but Danny’s temper soars and he abuses Carlo, and even pushes him to the ground. Stunned, Carlo takes in all the bullying without uttering a single word. Back at home, Carlo finds his mirror reflection 6’’ shorter than his actual height. Unable to understand, he goes to his room and ponders over Danny’s behavior. At the dinner table, Carlo is upset and his elder brother tries to cheer him up but to no avail. Later, Carlo finishes his homework with the help of his brother before heading out to play with Marco. On the way, he looks into the mirror and finds himself only 3’’ shorter than actual. Happy, he enjoys his evening with Marco. Next day, before going to school, he looks into the mirror again and finds that his reflection is now of his actual height!
Meanwhile, Danny after going home from school that day, found himself 6’’ shorter in the mirror and remained so the next day too, when he checked before going to school. It saddened him.
Marco and Danny were in the same class. A couple of days later, during a question answer session, Danny answered wrong to a question while Marco gave the right answer, though he answered the next question wrong. Danny, seething with anger, grabbed the opportunity to humiliate Marco along with few other students, making Marco feel bad. Later that day in his room, Marco found himself looking at his mirror reflection, 6’’ shorter than his actual height. Unable to understand, he went out to play with Carlo and confided in him. Both of them decided to stand up to Danny’s bullying. The next day, before going to school, Marco was happy to see his reflection at the same height as his actual, while Danny still found himself small.
At the playground, when Marco missed to save a goal, Danny started towards him and hurled abuses, to which Marco answered back. He didn’t feel bad like the other day when Danny had bullied him, instead he felt good to have defied his bully. From that day on, Carlo and Marco stopped taking negative vibes from bullies and stood firm for themselves.
The illustrations are different than the author’s previous book, The Magic Leaf, and are a little more realistic. The plotline is simple, bullying is not good, and so is not standing up to it. By the means of a relatable story, the author tries to shout out to all those poor kids, who are unable to help themselves when they are bullied, to take a firm ground and stand up, and also to those who are bullies, to mend their ways. In a very simple way, the effects of bullying are shown, both on the bully and the bullied. The change in the outlook of each towards themselves speaks enough to make them rethink of their action/inaction. I appreciate the author for bringing out such stories, which is entertaining as well as educating children and hope she succeeds in bringing about the change she is looking for, in imparting morals into children and making them grow into good beings. Suggested for children of pre-teens, especially boys.
March 7, 2017
Geared towards children and their parents, this is a simple but effective story about bullying. The protagonists, two schoolboys named Carlo and Marco, are sympathetic and readers shouldn't have any trouble relating to them. The story also reveals dimension and insight into Danny, the bully who makes everyone miserable.
First off, I really enjoyed the illustrations. Although directed towards young readers, the drawings aren't overly sweet or annoyingly "cutesie." Instead, there's a maturity about them, and it doesn't talk down to anyone (which children will quietly appreciate).
Whereas other children's stories have a näive perspective on dealing with bullies (i.e they can change if you're nice to them), this one does not. This book humanizes the bully, but remains realistic about his toxic nature. Especially helpful are a list of questions at the end of the book, where parents and/or educators are invited to have in-depth discussions about strategies to prevent and deal with bullying.
Overall, a really good read that presents a valuable opportunity to discuss an important issue.
First off, I really enjoyed the illustrations. Although directed towards young readers, the drawings aren't overly sweet or annoyingly "cutesie." Instead, there's a maturity about them, and it doesn't talk down to anyone (which children will quietly appreciate).
Whereas other children's stories have a näive perspective on dealing with bullies (i.e they can change if you're nice to them), this one does not. This book humanizes the bully, but remains realistic about his toxic nature. Especially helpful are a list of questions at the end of the book, where parents and/or educators are invited to have in-depth discussions about strategies to prevent and deal with bullying.
Overall, a really good read that presents a valuable opportunity to discuss an important issue.
April 18, 2018
**I received a free ePub copy from the author in exchange for an honest rating. Receiving a free copy in no way influenced my rating.**
July 16, 2018
Bullying can tear anyone's self esteem down, but it especially affects kids in school today on astronomical levels.
Big and Small in the Mirror is a story of 3 boys, Carlo, Marco, and Danny, and is a deeper discussion topic on bullying for kids. Carlo and Marco are on the receiving end of the bullying, while Danny is the bully.
Big and Small in the Mirror, book 1 to this trilogy, focuses specifically on how self esteem is affected by bullying, both from the recipient's point of view and the bully's point of view.
All three of the boys feel the weight of the hurtful words in different ways, but when they look in the mirror, they feel physically smaller. I loved this illustration because it's such a true feeling. We feel like we shrink, literally, when we feel bad about ourselves, so to kids, it is an easy illustration to relate to.
I also liked that the author painted a realistic example of a bullying scenario. Danny didn't magically go and apologize to the boys like I've seen to be common amongst bullying-awareness children's books. Carlo and Marco talked about the situation and had to decide not to let the bullying tear them down, even though it hurt in the moment. I would have liked it better had the boys gone to an adult, such as their parents or teachers with the situation, but deciding not to let Danny get to them is an excellent step as well.
Overall, I am pleased with this book and I do recommend it to teachers for a class discussion topic. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
I received this book from the author for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are entirely my own.
This is a LiteratureApproved.com Review.
Big and Small in the Mirror is a story of 3 boys, Carlo, Marco, and Danny, and is a deeper discussion topic on bullying for kids. Carlo and Marco are on the receiving end of the bullying, while Danny is the bully.
Big and Small in the Mirror, book 1 to this trilogy, focuses specifically on how self esteem is affected by bullying, both from the recipient's point of view and the bully's point of view.
All three of the boys feel the weight of the hurtful words in different ways, but when they look in the mirror, they feel physically smaller. I loved this illustration because it's such a true feeling. We feel like we shrink, literally, when we feel bad about ourselves, so to kids, it is an easy illustration to relate to.
I also liked that the author painted a realistic example of a bullying scenario. Danny didn't magically go and apologize to the boys like I've seen to be common amongst bullying-awareness children's books. Carlo and Marco talked about the situation and had to decide not to let the bullying tear them down, even though it hurt in the moment. I would have liked it better had the boys gone to an adult, such as their parents or teachers with the situation, but deciding not to let Danny get to them is an excellent step as well.
Overall, I am pleased with this book and I do recommend it to teachers for a class discussion topic. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
I received this book from the author for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are entirely my own.
This is a LiteratureApproved.com Review.
January 10, 2018
4.5 / 5 stars
An important message delivered in an intelligent and charming format. You can find my full review here: https://skyviewbookreviews.wordpress....
An important message delivered in an intelligent and charming format. You can find my full review here: https://skyviewbookreviews.wordpress....
February 27, 2017
“Big and Small in the Mirror” tells a relevant and kid-friendly story about relationships and bullying. Mary has made a good choice in framing the book around the familiar game of soccer. With soccer in the plot, the kids will be more interested in reading it and will likely be able to relate more with the situations. The title of the book also gives a clue to the effective metaphor she uses to describe how you feel when you are unhappy with yourself. With helpful illustrations, the boys see themselves looking smaller in a mirror when their confidence is low – and then they look taller in the mirror as their confidence is regained. I think this clever visual representation of confidence level is easily understandable by kids.
I also like how this book not only addresses the kids being bullied but the bully himself. By providing insight on how he is feeling and why he is behaving a certain way, the book will help build compassion across kids and with compassion, conflict is reduced. I did think she could have taken this even further and showed more resolution with the bully. His plight is pretty dire at the end. This is perhaps more realistic but provides less opportunity for learning, perhaps.
Nonetheless, this book contains so many important lessons for kids, especially with the discussion questions at the end, that it is well suited for any Grade 3 or 4 Classroom.
I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
I also like how this book not only addresses the kids being bullied but the bully himself. By providing insight on how he is feeling and why he is behaving a certain way, the book will help build compassion across kids and with compassion, conflict is reduced. I did think she could have taken this even further and showed more resolution with the bully. His plight is pretty dire at the end. This is perhaps more realistic but provides less opportunity for learning, perhaps.
Nonetheless, this book contains so many important lessons for kids, especially with the discussion questions at the end, that it is well suited for any Grade 3 or 4 Classroom.
I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 18, 2016
My 7 year old and I read this book together (we took turns in reading the pages). She really enjoyed this one and gave it 5 stars. She enjoyed looking at the boys shrinking and growing in the mirror and she enjoyed the discussion questions at the end.
Her honest review is as follows:
Best book ever. I liked it because they helped each other.
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.
Her honest review is as follows:
Best book ever. I liked it because they helped each other.
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 24, 2016
Following the reading of The Magic Leaf, I went ahead and read each of the author's books. This story follows the same characters, but later in their childhood. The bullying scenario in this short story is very realistic, and teaches young people how to deal with this issue. My little cousin Peter enjoyed the read.
June 2, 2016
I wish I had this book when I was growing up. The author seems to have sensitive insights into the behavior of children. The discussion questions at the back of the book is a good way to gauge your child's opinion and knowledge on the topic.
November 6, 2017
"Big and Small in the mirror" deals with a very serious issue, bullying. The book follows two boys Marco and Danny and shows how bullying can make both the bully and the person being bullied feel. In the story each time the boys were mean to each other later that day when they reached home and looked at themselves in the mirror they appeared smaller. I think the author used the mirror as a way to show that bullying can make others feel small and can even change how a person sees him or herself. I think the bully appeared smaller in the mirror because he really felt unhappy with himself each time he bullied others and made them feel small. At the end of the book there are questions to help kids talk with their parents or teachers about bullying. I think that this book can help kids who are being bullied speak up about what is happening. I would recommend this book.
Review by: 12 year old Chelsea
Review by: 12 year old Chelsea
August 2, 2018
This is the first book in a series of three books dealing with subjects that are so real and bothering school children all over the world.
I read this book with my two grandchildren, Aryana is 9 years old and Christian is 5 years old. They both understood the concept and enjoyed the book.
They were upset that Carlo felt smaller when Danny had pushed him. But both of them were happy that Danny felt the same way and that both felt better.
The book is very well written and the stories are right on point for today's world. We need more authors who are on top of the children's literture today and Mary is in the forefront.
Right on, Mary, keep up the good work!
I will be here waiting for more of your books and will be happy to review them. SUPER!!!!
I read this book with my two grandchildren, Aryana is 9 years old and Christian is 5 years old. They both understood the concept and enjoyed the book.
They were upset that Carlo felt smaller when Danny had pushed him. But both of them were happy that Danny felt the same way and that both felt better.
The book is very well written and the stories are right on point for today's world. We need more authors who are on top of the children's literture today and Mary is in the forefront.
Right on, Mary, keep up the good work!
I will be here waiting for more of your books and will be happy to review them. SUPER!!!!
June 26, 2020
Mary Feliciani hits us in the heart once more and addresses the effects of bullying in Big and Small in the Mirror! Bullying is a dark and terrible scourge that can affect us in many ways. In this particular installment in Feliciani’s bullying trilogy, Carlo gains a negative self image after being bullied, but also learns the value and power of positive relationships. Feliciani’s storytelling is beautiful and realistic, and offers a positive path for those who have dealt with bullying! Coupled with excellent illustrations, Big and Small in the Mirror is a wonderful story to share with kids about the power of their actions to hurt or heal others!
June 16, 2018
*I received a free copy but this review is unbiased*
Carlo and his friend Marco (from MAGIC LEAF) are back - this time dealing with a bully. Bullying takes many forms and sometimes is brushed off as 'plain bad behaviour" by some adults. What really struck me was how Marco / Carlo had the support of friends and family to help them regain their self confidence and humour, while the bully did not. This story gives a sympathetic view of the bully too, although it does not excuse his behaviour.
The idea of seeing yourself differently in the mirror was fantastic.
Carlo and his friend Marco (from MAGIC LEAF) are back - this time dealing with a bully. Bullying takes many forms and sometimes is brushed off as 'plain bad behaviour" by some adults. What really struck me was how Marco / Carlo had the support of friends and family to help them regain their self confidence and humour, while the bully did not. This story gives a sympathetic view of the bully too, although it does not excuse his behaviour.
The idea of seeing yourself differently in the mirror was fantastic.
June 23, 2018
My daughters and I read this book and loved it! The only thing we thought could have been better would have been the end. We wish that the ending would have been different. Bullying is a major issue lately and this hit home for my daughters. They have seen a lot of bullying in their schools and have also been bullied to the point of them coming home crying. Not only do they feel small but they do not feel as important than what they really are. I would recommend this to all schools and start reading it to kids at a young age to try to curb the bullying. We did love the questions at the end of the book. I gave it a four star only due to the ending of the book.
October 1, 2016
Carlo and his best friend Marco attend Roseto Elementary school. They both share a love of soccer, and enjoy playing it with their classmates. However there is one boy, Danny, who is always quick to lose his temper. When Carlos accidentally kicks him while trying to get the ball, Danny becomes aggressive, making Carlos feel scared.
Once home, Carlo looks in the mirror and feels smaller than usual, after Danny made him feel sad and upset. When Danny returns home he also looks in the mirror, and feels just as small as Carlo, as he knows that his actions hurt others, but he doesn’t know how to control his temper.
Over time we witness Carlo feeling full size again, but Danny keeps on being nasty, meaning that he stays small.
The book is aimed at helping children understand that their actions have consequences on both sides. It also helps the person being bullied to realise that the bully may not be as tough as they seem. I wish it was true that all bullies felt small after their actions, and knew that they had been out of order, alas not all do.
In the right hands, at a young age, this book could help children understand about bullying and with the discussion questions at the back of the book, it will help kids to think about what could happen if they were nasty to another child.
Reviewed by Stacey at www.whisperingstories.com
Once home, Carlo looks in the mirror and feels smaller than usual, after Danny made him feel sad and upset. When Danny returns home he also looks in the mirror, and feels just as small as Carlo, as he knows that his actions hurt others, but he doesn’t know how to control his temper.
Over time we witness Carlo feeling full size again, but Danny keeps on being nasty, meaning that he stays small.
The book is aimed at helping children understand that their actions have consequences on both sides. It also helps the person being bullied to realise that the bully may not be as tough as they seem. I wish it was true that all bullies felt small after their actions, and knew that they had been out of order, alas not all do.
In the right hands, at a young age, this book could help children understand about bullying and with the discussion questions at the back of the book, it will help kids to think about what could happen if they were nasty to another child.
Reviewed by Stacey at www.whisperingstories.com
June 26, 2017
Roseto (Italian medieval town). It was recess time at the Roseto Elementary School & Carlo (Marco’s BMF) & Marco (Carlo’s BMF) 4th. graders were going to play soccer with some of their other classmates.
Carlo & Danny were captains.
Danny seemed to have a bad temper.
He liked to bully & degrade other students.
Recess was over, back in class.
Later after supper/homework Carlo went to play with Marco’s at his house.
Mrs. Romano was Marco, Bruno & Danny’s teacher.
How do you overcome being bullied?
A big shout out to Tina Durocher (Illustrator).
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written children’s book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great children’s movie, animated cartoon, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; M.F. Publishing; Amazon Digital Services LLC; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Carlo & Danny were captains.
Danny seemed to have a bad temper.
He liked to bully & degrade other students.
Recess was over, back in class.
Later after supper/homework Carlo went to play with Marco’s at his house.
Mrs. Romano was Marco, Bruno & Danny’s teacher.
How do you overcome being bullied?
A big shout out to Tina Durocher (Illustrator).
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written children’s book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great children’s movie, animated cartoon, or better yet a mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; M.F. Publishing; Amazon Digital Services LLC; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
August 4, 2016
A creative and entertaining story about a problem children often deal with. Seeing it through the eyes of Marco and Danny will help them understand and respond to similar situations. I recommend this book as a good shared reading for parent and child.
Read
July 10, 2017Review to come soon!
June 26, 2018
The soccer scenario in the book is easy for children (8-10 yr. olds) to relate to. The title is so appropriate. The book lives up to its synopsis.
February 20, 2017
In Big and Small in the Mirror, we meet Carlo and Marco, two friends attending the same school in medieval Roseto, Italy. Each boy has a personal run in with Danny, a hot-tempered boy with a tendency to bully other children at the school. Now, Marco and Carlo are tasked with figuring out how to prevent any future taunting from Danny, while Danny tries to understand himself as a bully.
I’ve wanted to read this book for a while, and I’m happy to say I wasn’t disappointed. The characters are very relatable and the artwork was cute. However, I felt that the story was focused on too many characters, and quite frankly, I thought it could’ve been a little longer (with a couple extra pages, this could make a terrific early chapter book!). Also, I thought of the ending to be abrupt. The lesson of how to deal with bullying is clear, but what about the bully? He doesn’t change. Not to give children the false impression that every bully will become nice eventually, I think as a children’s story about bullying, it spoke more to the victim than the actual bully, and in my opinion, it would’ve been a nicer ending if Danny apologized or attempted to be friendlier to the other children, as opposed to being this poor, angered creature everyone felt sorry for. It just left a bad feeling in my head.
Besides that, it’s a good story; I enjoyed it. At the end there are discussion questions, which make for a good debate among children and their parents, teachers, etc.
I’ve wanted to read this book for a while, and I’m happy to say I wasn’t disappointed. The characters are very relatable and the artwork was cute. However, I felt that the story was focused on too many characters, and quite frankly, I thought it could’ve been a little longer (with a couple extra pages, this could make a terrific early chapter book!). Also, I thought of the ending to be abrupt. The lesson of how to deal with bullying is clear, but what about the bully? He doesn’t change. Not to give children the false impression that every bully will become nice eventually, I think as a children’s story about bullying, it spoke more to the victim than the actual bully, and in my opinion, it would’ve been a nicer ending if Danny apologized or attempted to be friendlier to the other children, as opposed to being this poor, angered creature everyone felt sorry for. It just left a bad feeling in my head.
Besides that, it’s a good story; I enjoyed it. At the end there are discussion questions, which make for a good debate among children and their parents, teachers, etc.
April 11, 2020
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review*
Big and Small in the Mirror, by Mary Feliciani is a story of two 4th grade friends who are bullied at school by their classmate. This book is set in a small town in Italy.
The author did a good job of portraying a child's perspective of bullying and the effects it causes emotionally to both the bully and the person being bullied (Hence the title).
I personally like how the author includes the importance of family support on this topic - it shows us how friends & family help build up our self esteem and courage when we need it the most.
The discussion questions at the end of the book are a fantastic call to action. It encourages conversations, and opens the door to discussion and helpful suggestions for children, parents and teachers/caregivers.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the lovely simple illustrations that accompany the story, simple and well done.
Big and Small in the Mirror, by Mary Feliciani is a story of two 4th grade friends who are bullied at school by their classmate. This book is set in a small town in Italy.
The author did a good job of portraying a child's perspective of bullying and the effects it causes emotionally to both the bully and the person being bullied (Hence the title).
I personally like how the author includes the importance of family support on this topic - it shows us how friends & family help build up our self esteem and courage when we need it the most.
The discussion questions at the end of the book are a fantastic call to action. It encourages conversations, and opens the door to discussion and helpful suggestions for children, parents and teachers/caregivers.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the lovely simple illustrations that accompany the story, simple and well done.
June 7, 2017
This book is good for new readers dealing with new (to them) problems at school. I felt that it did a pretty good job of portraying a child's perspective on bullying and being bullied. Your child will also be exposed to some new vocabulary words.
February 28, 2025
Big and Small In the Mirror
By Mary Feliciani
2025
Reviewed by Angie Mangino
Rating: 5 stars
A playground soccer game at school recess shows bullying in action.
The interaction between Carlo and Danny at the match reveals their different ways of handling conflict.
“Today Carlo and Danny were the team captains, so they faced each other in the middle of the field. Danny had a temper and he sometimes intimidated Carlo when they played opposite each other.”
This simple setup does an excellent job of establishing the tension that drives the story.
Later at their homes both Carlo and Danny feel small when they view their reflections in mirrors: Carlo feeling empty and vulnerable, and Danny feeling insecure as a consequence for his actions.
Using mirrors to illustrate the boys’ self-perception, the author helps young readers understand better how bullying affects both the victim and the perpetrator. Continuing the use of different mirror reflections based on their actions and self-esteem throughout the rest of the story strengthens this message.
A key moment in the story happens when Carlo sees his friend Marco's approach to handling Danny's intimidation. Rather than responding with anger or retreating in fear, Marco uses humor to defuse the situation.
When alone after the game the conversation between Carlo and Marco delivers the heart of the story.
“‘Still, it’s a good idea to not feel insulted, right?’ said Marco. ‘If we act like we don’t care, maybe Danny will stop saying hurtful things to us and other people. He is mean to a lot of boys.’
‘Yeah,’ Carlo said, then added, ‘there isn’t anything wrong with us.” There’s something going on with him—maybe he doesn’t feel good about himself.’”
This exchange offers valuable strategies for handling bullying while promoting empathy. Carlo's realization that Danny's behavior might stem from his own insecurities encourages compassion alongside self-protection.
Rose Tingyi's illustrations beautifully complement the text, enhancing the emotional tone of each scene. The visual representation of the mirror scenes particularly stands out, highlighting self-reflection.
Discussion questions about the story at the end add ways to further help those bullied by others. They open up a conversation, providing a way for adults to help children process their own experiences with bullying, and to develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Angie Mangino currently works as a freelance journalist and book reviewer, as well as author of 17th Century Tottenville History Comes Alive, first in a series of Tottenville History books. www.AngieMangino.com
By Mary Feliciani
2025
Reviewed by Angie Mangino
Rating: 5 stars
A playground soccer game at school recess shows bullying in action.
The interaction between Carlo and Danny at the match reveals their different ways of handling conflict.
“Today Carlo and Danny were the team captains, so they faced each other in the middle of the field. Danny had a temper and he sometimes intimidated Carlo when they played opposite each other.”
This simple setup does an excellent job of establishing the tension that drives the story.
Later at their homes both Carlo and Danny feel small when they view their reflections in mirrors: Carlo feeling empty and vulnerable, and Danny feeling insecure as a consequence for his actions.
Using mirrors to illustrate the boys’ self-perception, the author helps young readers understand better how bullying affects both the victim and the perpetrator. Continuing the use of different mirror reflections based on their actions and self-esteem throughout the rest of the story strengthens this message.
A key moment in the story happens when Carlo sees his friend Marco's approach to handling Danny's intimidation. Rather than responding with anger or retreating in fear, Marco uses humor to defuse the situation.
When alone after the game the conversation between Carlo and Marco delivers the heart of the story.
“‘Still, it’s a good idea to not feel insulted, right?’ said Marco. ‘If we act like we don’t care, maybe Danny will stop saying hurtful things to us and other people. He is mean to a lot of boys.’
‘Yeah,’ Carlo said, then added, ‘there isn’t anything wrong with us.” There’s something going on with him—maybe he doesn’t feel good about himself.’”
This exchange offers valuable strategies for handling bullying while promoting empathy. Carlo's realization that Danny's behavior might stem from his own insecurities encourages compassion alongside self-protection.
Rose Tingyi's illustrations beautifully complement the text, enhancing the emotional tone of each scene. The visual representation of the mirror scenes particularly stands out, highlighting self-reflection.
Discussion questions about the story at the end add ways to further help those bullied by others. They open up a conversation, providing a way for adults to help children process their own experiences with bullying, and to develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Angie Mangino currently works as a freelance journalist and book reviewer, as well as author of 17th Century Tottenville History Comes Alive, first in a series of Tottenville History books. www.AngieMangino.com
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