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Mary Vander Plas
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Call Me Calvin Hardcover – Picture Book, June 22, 2023

by Mary Vander Plas (Author), André Ceolin (Illustrator)
5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 21 ratings
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Calvin's dad has always called him "Little Man," but Calvin realizes he isn’t done being a kid.

Ever since Calvin was born, he’s been Dad’s “Little Man.” At first Calvin liked the special nickname the two of them shared. But now that he’s getting older, Calvin doesn’t feel big and strong like Dad. One afternoon playing in the yard, Calvin discovers that maybe that’s okay. He’s Calvin, and that’s exactly who he should be.

Previous page
  1. Reading age
    4 - 8 years
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 3
  5. Lexile measure
    AD510L
  6. Dimensions
    8.42 x 0.35 x 10.27 inches
  7. Publisher
    Albert Whitman & Company
  8. Publication date
    June 22, 2023
  9. ISBN-10
    0807510440
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0807510445
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A touching read that will speak to all little ones longing to be big."―Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Mary Vander Plas is a picture book author with degrees in psychology and human development. She began writing for children after working with them in various educational settings. She lives in the northwoods of Wisconsin.



André Ceolin is a self-taught illustrator from Brazil. He studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, The Georges Méliès School, and Escola Panamericana de Artes to develop a signature look and learn new illustration techniques. He has worked with many publishers, including Penguin, HarperCollins, Sleeping Bear Press, and Apples & Honey Press.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Albert Whitman & Company (June 22, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0807510440
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0807510445
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 8 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD510L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.3 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.42 x 0.35 x 10.27 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 21 ratings

About the author

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Mary Vander Plas

Mary Vander Plas

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Customer reviews

5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5
21 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Sherry Fellores
5.0 out of 5 stars Big-hearted picture book perfect for your little ones!
Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2023
Verified Purchase
Calvin’s dad affectionately calls him “little man.” But as Calvin grows older, the once special nickname no longer measures up.
Mary Vander Plas touching and imaginative text is perfectly paired with Andrè Ceolin’s illustrations bringing out the story’s emotion. A must have for your home and school library!
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Laurie Kutscera
5.0 out of 5 stars Big Feelings beautifully expressed
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2023
A heartfelt, funny story about Calvin, a boy yearning to grow up. Mary Vander Plas' evocative text gently weaves this father-son relationship and Calvin's emotions, as he expresses them and ultimately struggles to manage them.
I love how this story comes full circle—where Calvin, who hates being called 'Little Man,' ultimately decides that growing up can wait. What's also wonderful is how Dad is depicted — loving and kind, yet strong.
Andre Ceolin's heartwarming illustrations meld perfectly with Vander Plas' text. There's even an illustration of Dad washing dishes. A wonderful visual if ever there was one!
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Dana
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for growing kids
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2023
This is a great book for growing kids and their caregivers. My 5yo son has become frustrated with us calling him "Little man" and "Big guy," so we can definitely relate. As a mom, I'm accustomed to giving my kids nicknames that reflect my feelings about them. But as they age, kids establish their identities and what being themselves means. I love the father-son relationship and how Calvin learns to advocate for himself and his feelings. Highly recommended.
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Julia
5.0 out of 5 stars Every Kid Dreams of Being Big, But ...
Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2023
Every kid can relate to the frustration of being small as Mary Vander Plas winningly captures in her book, "Call Me Calvin." Calvin wants to be able to see those cookies on the counter and make that slam dunk. So what if he did get bigger? And bigger? Loved the line: "Calvin opened his eyes as the storm inside him settled." Another great moment every kid can relate to. The book highlights how kids dream of reshaping their world. And reminds parents (and kids) that being yourself just might be the perfect thing after all.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Sometimes a "little man" just wants to be called his real name.
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2023
This is a wonderful story of how a sweet nickname can change the perception one has of themselves. Calvin doesn't want to be a "little man" anymore, and his emotions are so beautifully illustrated and explained. Then he sees that he wants to be Calvin, who grows into the man his dad is. This is a great story for boys and girls who want to be big before it is time.
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CK
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2023
My 5 yr old son is very small for his age and on the younger side of his grade in school. In basketball practice, hit seems like he is the only kid who can't throw the ball high enough to reach the net. It can be discouraging. I know most kids feel "small" in their day to day, but this book particularly hit home for me as a Mom. I love the illustration, the subject matter, and the relationship between father and son. But most of all, I love how Calvin realizes being exactly who he is, at this time, is juuuusst right. And that is why I can't wait to read it with my son.
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L.J.
5.0 out of 5 stars An endearing story
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2023
An endearing story of a father-son relationship, and the emotions of “little man”, who wishes he was big and strong like his dad. Kids often fantasize about being big and strong like their grown-ups. Children will delight in Calvin’s imagination of growing too fast. Calvin realizes he is just the right size and asks his dad to drop “little man” and call him Calvin.
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Christine
5.0 out of 5 stars Important message
Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2023
Calvin has always been affectionately named "Little Man" but he doesn't like feeling small and wishes he was tall and strong like a tree or a storm. But then he realizes that growing up can wait and asks that his family use his name instead of the nickname. I love that the Dad is shown as strong but also soft and accepting of his son and his ask. The gentle text and evocative illustrations show Calvin's emotions throughout the story.

A touching story about what it means to be strong and also how to advocate for yourself. An important message for kids.
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