Big Little Books

Published by the Whitman Publishing Company until 1949, Big Little Books made small (typically 3.5 in. x 4.5 in.) books featuring popular children's cartoon characters and classic children's literature. Showcasing engaging illustrations, the books included popular mid-to-late twentieth-century characters such as Tom and Jerry, Bugs Bunny, The Lone Ranger, Tarzan, Blondie, Felix the Cat, Popeye, and many others. As Big Little Books became increasingly popular amongst young readers, the company eventually expanded to similar variations, namely Big Big Books and Penny Books, and partnered with other companies and brands. Playing an essential role in providing affordable access to entertainment, books in the Big Little Books collection typically cost 10¢-15¢, making them a staple preceding the economic downturn during the Great Depression. Additionally, the series helped encourage widespread childhood literacy by combining engaging illustrations and shorter blocks of text, creating an easier and more beginner-friendly reading environment. Following the format's peak during the first half of the twentieth century, Big Little Books gradually declined due to television's rising popularity and shifting reading habits amongst children from the 1950s onwards. Despite the eventual decline, Big Little Books symbolizes a pivotal historical period of children's literature and entertainment, juxtaposing the devastating beginning and effects of the Great Depression while characterizing the influence of prominent cartoon characters and their stories during the twentieth century.