The Big One

A heartwarming picture book in which a small child and her tenacious nana work together to catch the biggest fish in the sea – only to realize that their sweet bait has lured in something much bigger.

Marina was the smallest of the town’s children.
Nana was the oldest of the town’s elders.
But even the old and the small have dreams.

When word spreads around their small fishing town that the Big One is close to shore, Marina and Nana know that they will be the ones to catch the elusive and legendary fish. “When we catch the Big One,” says Nana, “we’ll need four hands to haul him in and two mouths to tell the story.”

They set out in a tiny boat with only grit, gumption, and a rose-ripe peach for bait. But the Big One doesn’t appear that day. Or the day after that. Each time, Marina listens carefully for the swish of the Big One’s tail, but each time there’s nary a nibble on their peach. Nana is certain they’ll catch him, but Marina isn’t so sure anymore. Then one morning, when the mist is so thick they can’t see a thing, something giant nudges the boat. What they find is something much bigger – and astounding – than they could have ever imagined!

Written by the bestselling author of The 57 Bus and the Escargot series, Dashka Slater, and beautifully illustrated by Myo Yim, this tale of adventure celebrates the spirit of perseverance and inspires both the young and the young-at-heart to keep fishing for their dreams.