The Big Cheese

September 15, 2023
A winning wheel of cheddar with braggadocio to match narrates a tale of comeuppance and redemption. From humble beginnings among kitchen curds living "quiet lives of pasteurization," the Big Cheese longs to be the best and builds success and renown based on proven skills and dependable results: "I stuck to the things I was good at." When newcomer Wedge moves to the village of Curds-on-Whey, the Cheese's star status wobbles and falls. Turns out that quiet, modest Wedge is also multitalented. At the annual Cheese-cathlon, Wedge bests six-time winner Cheese in every event, from the footrace and chess to hat making and bread buttering. A disappointed Cheese throws a full-blown tantrum before arriving at a moment of truth: Self-calming, conscious breathing permits deep relief that losing--even badly--does not result in disaster. A debrief with Wedge "that wasn't all about me" leads to further realizations: Losing builds empathy for others; obsession with winning obscures "the joy of participating." The chastened cheddar learns to reserve bragging for lifting up friends, because anyone can be the Big Cheese. More didactic and less pun-rich than previous entries in the Food Group series, this outing nevertheless couples a cheerful refrain with pithy life lessons that hit home. Oswald's detailed, comical illustrations continue to provide laughs, including a spot with Cheese onstage doing a "CHED" talk. From curds to riches, from meltdown to uplift--this multicourse romp delivers. (Picture book. 4-8)

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Starred review from November 24, 2023

Gr 1-3-In their latest installment of "The Food Group" series, the dynamic duo introduces children to the complex emotions of pride and humility in one cheese-tastic package! Big Cheese is known throughout town for being the "biggest, cheesiest piece of cheddar around," and they make sure everyone knows it. They boast and brag about their accomplishments far and wide, because they've never lost; the secret to success is only competing in what you can win! That is, until the fateful day when Wedge competes in the Cheese-cathalon (in which Big Cheese has placed first for years) and beats Big Cheese by a cheese-nose! As if that wasn't surprising enough, Wedge seems humble about their win. Through talking with Wedge, Big Cheese goes on a transformative journey of examining how losses can lend perspective on what is most important. The clean and colorful illustrations match the signature style of the series. While sometimes a bit heavy handed in its discussion of SEL topics ("losing taught me about empathy and humility"), this entry is artfully arranged. It could be performed as a very discussible story time selection. VERDICT This is a must-purchase for all libraries, especially those with a SEL focus.-Katherine Forsman

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