You’re Too Little

Written & illustrated by Katie Stewart

Reviewed by Sandy Driessens

One evening, young Western Pygmy Possum sat in a stump gazing up into the tree far, far above her head, trying to work out the best way to climb up to taste the sweet blossom nectar. Numbat, who was much bigger than Pygmy Possum said,” You’re too little, you might fall”. She hears the same thing from other animals, even ones that are smaller than her say that they have special skills that she is without. But she is determined. Another possum, Brushtail Possum had told her that she ‘has what it takes’ … so she climbed, she jumped and …. she fell!  Does she have the special abilities needed to reach the blossoms?  Yes!

The affection for and knowledge about Australian wildlife that Katie Stewart has, exudes from the story and magnificent illustrations in this lovely book. In the easy-to-read dialogue, you can hear Pygmy Possum’s uncertainty grow into confidence, despite the efforts of other animals to discourage her.  Brushtail Possum speaks to her with kindness, encouraging her independence and eventually inspiring self-assurance in Pygmy Possum. Her squeaky, little voice becomes determined. Though she falls, she is thoughtful, doesn’t panic and solves her dilemma.

Stewart’s double-page spreads are superlative. She captures the deep blue of night whilst shining a light on these nocturnal creatures, with their endearing facial features, tiny feet, fur, feathers and skin beautifully detailed. The scale of each animal is shown by its comparison to the size of leaves, flowers and defined tree bark.

I was immediately drawn to this book by the beautiful cover and sweet title. “You’re Too Little” is a phrase that I often heard as a child and (in other forms) as an adult, but this story of determination, recognition of your own special abilities and problem solving, is one that should be shared. Little people who have not developed their confidence and not so little people who have perhaps lost their confidence would benefit from sharing this gentle story.

Teaching Notes

Fremantle Press, 2025

Katie Stewart