ALA Booklist (Tue Jan 03 00:00:00 CST 2023)

This simplest of books offers a strong message to preschoolers, who are starting to realize they are not the babies or toddlers they once were. A little rabbit boy tells readers he's too big for his crib, too big for his shirts and shoes. McPhail, a master of the small moments, puts his bunny alone on the pure white page and visually pulls the humor out of experiences as the child grapples with things he's outgrown. But with putting things behind comes opportunities for new experiences. He may be too big for Grandpa to pick up, but he's just the right size for a hug. New clothes fit better, and now he can be a big brother. The last page echoes the title: "I am just right." Although there is only a line of text on each page, the book offers plenty of opportunities for discussion. Pair this with titles from Rosemary Wells and Kevin Henkes that also look closely at early childhood development.

Kirkus Reviews (Tue Jan 03 00:00:00 CST 2023)

Just 27 words, used repeatedly and modeled by an adorable anthropomorphic bunny, provide practice for the youngest beginning readers. A complete, if simple, narrative reflects an experience children greet with varying degrees of delight and dismay: outgrowing favorite things. The first five sentences begin: "I am too big for…." The final seven sentences proclaim "I am just right for…" and replace outgrown items with big-kid versions of the same object: crib and bed, tricycle and bike, etc. At the hinge point of the narrative, readers are assured of Grandpa's consistent love, even as the bunny changes. The pained expression on Grandpa bunny's face when he picks the growing bunny up on verso is priceless, but on the facing page, both bunnies are smiling because "I am just right for him to hug." The repeated sentence pattern guarantees success for new readers. The book's design minimizes distraction so they will focus on the text. Each picture of the charming, nongendered bunny against creamy pastel backgrounds is paired with a single sentence printed in a large, clear type. The final pages drive home the positive message. The bunny is shown stacking blocks and reading with a younger sister while proclaiming, "I am just right for my sister. / I am just right for this book. / I am just right." Just right indeed. (Early reader. 4-8)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

A growing rabbit lists the many things that it has outgrown, including a crib, shirt, shoes, and tricycle (-I am too big for my tricycle-). But getting bigger simply means finding new things to grow into, the rabbit learns: -I am just right for my new shirt. And I am just right for my new shoes--as well as -just right- for a fancy new bike and -just right for this book.- In his distinctive watercolor and pen-and-ink style, McPhail illustrates a stocky, relatable animal character navigating new experiences and becoming more self-assured. Ages 2-5. (Mar.)