Reviewed by Manik Chaturmutha for Readers' Favorite

Toby the Big Little Yorkie by Judy Haveson is the story of Toby, a fifteen-pound Yorkshire Terrier living in a New York high-rise with Mom, Dad, and his best friend, Charlie. Most Yorkies weigh seven or eight pounds and get carried around in purses or pushed in tiny strollers. Toby is different. He's bigger, bolder, and bursting with energy. Around the building and at the local park, neighbors and other small dogs keep questioning his size. Mrs. Greenstein and her chihuahua, Peaches, have sharp words for him, and a pack of pint-sized pups tease him for not looking like a "proper" Yorkie. The teasing wears Toby down, and he starts wondering if something is wrong with him. Charlie intervenes to reassure Toby that he is loved just the way he is. Toby gradually ignores the hurtful remarks. He understands that being himself is something to be celebrated rather than concealed, and he learns to accept his stature and spirit.

Judy Haveson's Toby the Big Little Yorkie is a sweet, simple story about a dog who refuses to shrink himself just because others expect it. The title says it all, really, playing on the contradiction of being "big" and "little" at the same time, and that echoes the book's message that size has nothing to do with worth. The plot leans on a familiar "be yourself" trope, almost like a furry spin on the ugly duckling tale, and Toby's friendship with Charlie gives the story its emotional anchor. Natalia Larguier's illustrations are a real highlight. They're full of warm detail, and the soft, cheerful color palette brings out Toby's droopy-eared sadness as well as his bouncy joy. The discussion questions at the back are a nice touch too, giving parents and teachers a way to start conversations about teasing, confidence, and kindness. This picture book is a good fit for young readers and the grown-ups reading along with them, and I recommend it for its warm message and lovely art.