Book Review: Being Small (Isn’t So Bad After All) By Lori Orlinsky
Being small is the worst! No one ever picks me for their sports team and my feet hurt from standing on my tiptoes all the time. There can’t be anything good about being small…right?
Being Small is a picture book about a little girl who is scared to go to school because she’s the shortest kid in the class. She talks about all of the reasons that being short is a challenge, but her mother presents to her funny and unique advantages that only she has because of her height, instilling self-confidence in her.
Children begin to develop their sense of self-esteem at an early age. Self-esteem can start as early as babyhood and quickly develops over time. As parents, it is essential to teach our children about body positivity from a young age. When people meet my youngest son, Xavier, I quickly get, “Oh, he’s TINY,” and I am quick to respond, “but he is so strong.”
It’s up to parents to guide children through a happy and healthy life and, most importantly, one where they can develop positive self-esteem. With the current epidemic of bullying, it is so important to spread positive messages of body positivity to children, both big and small, through books.
A book that does a beautiful job sharing messages of acceptance, kindness, and self-love is “Being Small (Isn’t So Bad After All) by Lori Orlinsky. This book is about a girl who is scared to go to school because she is the shortest in class. The little girl tells her mother all of the negatives of being small. Her Mom quickly presents her with wonderful advantages of being small, something that makes her so unique. The little girl quickly realizes her uniqueness and regains her confidence.
This book helps children celebrate their different bodies and the positive attributes that come along with it. It is a must-read and must add to your collection at home and school. It will give your kiddos that much-needed boost of confidence they need!
Where Can I Find "Being Small (Isn't So Bad After All)"
You can find Being Small (Isn’t So Bad After All) by Lori Orlinsky on Amazon.
About the Author, Lori Orlinsky
“Lori Orlinsky is a multi award-winning children’s book author, freelance writer and marketing director who lives in Chicago. Lori is certified by the CDC in Bullying Prevention and Response Training and is an ambassador for the PACER’s National Bullying Center. At 5″1, she wishes her book “Being Small (Isn’t So Bad After All)” was around while she was growing up.”
Rapid Fire with Lori Orlinsky
Q. How did you become involved in the subject or theme of your book?
Lori: When my daughter Hayley was 3-years-old, she decided she did not want to go to school anymore because she was the shortest kid in class. Frustrated, I could not find a book about the benefits of being short. I wrote one!
Q. What does your family think of your writing?
Lori: My daughters, ages 6 and 3, are the perfect test audience for my books. They are extremely honest – they stick out their tongues and boo me when they don’t like or understand something, and they give me two thumbs up if they’re fans. Their feedback has helped me gear my stories better to the age group I’m trying to reach.
Q. What inspires you as a writer?
Lori: My grandma. Sadly, she did not live to see the release of my book. There have been many times I have wanted to throw in the towel as an author, but I know she believed me and is continuing to cheer me on. Just thinking about her makes me want to continue to push forward.
Q. What do you think makes a good story?
Lori: In a children’s book, I think it is important that young readers can relate to the main character so they can imagine themselves in the book and think, “what would I do in this situation?”
Q. What type of books do you write?
Lori: Rhyming picture books. I write in rhyme because those types of books promote early literacy, make tougher topics more approachable, and it is just plain fun to read out loud!
Q. Can you tell us about one of the most rewarding moments you have had as an author?
Lori: I was recently invited to read my book to patients at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago as part of a weekly closed-circuit television show that is broadcasted to all patient rooms. I read “Being Small” and led a discussion with patients about our differences and how they make us special. Patients who were in isolation were able to call in and participate in the discussion. One little girl told me she was special because she had someone else’s heart beating in her chest. To see the messages of the book resonate with others is a magical feeling.
Q. Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
Lori: I was recently contacted by a mother of a child who was considering using growth hormones. Her daughter read my book and decided not to medically intervene with her height because she realized that she was special the way she was. Hearing that story gave me the chills. I originally wrote “Being Small” to help my daughter and to hear it is having an impact on others is a wonderful feeling.
Q. What do you love most about being an Author?
Lori: I love going to schools and doing author visits. My favorite part is leading a post-book discussion with children about the underlying messages of self-acceptance and bullying prevention.
Q. Are you working on anything at the present that you would like to share with your readers about?
Lori: My second book, “The Tooth Fairy’s Tummy Ache,” is due for release early next year. It is a fun, imaginative book that uses the Tooth Fairy to teach children about honesty.
Q. What advice do you have for writers?
Lori: It sounds cliché, but know that it only takes one “yes.” I sent my manuscript to more than 200 literary agents and publishers, and it was the one “yes” that changed my life. Persistence is key.
Don't Forget To Join Lori on Social Media!
All in all, my family and I have really enjoyed this book and we know you will too! Please feel free to leave me any comments or questions about this review. I look forward to hearing from you!
* This book was kindly sent to me by Author, Lori Orlinsky in exchange for an honest review.
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