👦🏻Big Enough🐂
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Little Ah-Fu has a big imagination, but he can't imagine being the Oxherd Boy... yet.
When the day comes for Ah-Fu to bring the huge family ox home from the woods, he worries that he's not big enough to do the job.
Will fear and self-doubt drive Ah-Fu home empty-handed? Or can he rely on his wits and compassion to become the Oxherd Boy his family expects -- and prove to himself that he is, indeed, big enough?
An empowering story inspired by Chinese philosophy shows readers big and small how to trust themselves and embrace what they can be.
Read Aloud
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Meet the Creator
Regina Linke is a Taiwanese American artist specializing in contemporary Chinese gongbi painting, using both traditional ink and wash techniques and digital painting to create truly enchanting illustrations. She enjoys writing and illustrating stories that celebrate East Asian folklore and philosophy in a modern way. After living in Taipei, Taiwan, Regina moved to Rhode Island with her husband and young son, who inspires her every day as a real-life oxherd boy.
Glimpse into the Book
Discussion Questions
What important job did Ah-Fu's grandfather give him?
Why did Ah-Fu think he might not be "big enough"?
What advice did Ah-Fu receive from his grandfather?
What animals give Ah-Fu advice along the way?
What happened when Ah-Fu met the ox?
How did the story end for Ah-Fu and the ox?
Why did Ah-Fu doubt himself at the beginning of the story?
What made the ox similar to Ah-Fu?
Ah-Fu experienced many different emotions, ranging from fear and self-doubt to calm and pride.
Why was Ah-Fu surprised by the ox's fear of the dark?
Why did Ah-Fu begin feeling more confident?
How did the ox help Ah-Fu respond to obstacles on their way home?
How did Ah-Fu solve the problem of getting the ox home?
What did Ah-Fu learn about being "big enough"?
When we are challenged to do something new, it can feel scary; but it may be a good opportunity to learn what we are capable of. Can you think of an example of when you overcame a challenge?
Why is it important to believe in yourself, even when others doubt you?
What advice would you give Ah-Fu before he starts his journey?
What is something you want to become "big enough" to do?
Do you think Ah-Fu should have listened to the other animals, or was it good that he ignored their advice? Explain your opinion.
Book Activities
Ah-Fu underwent a journey to bring the ox home. Draw a map of the path the boy took to reach the ox and then return home. Include the following map elements: title, key or legend, landmarks, and labels. The map should show the physical journey of the boy leading the ox home and can include places such as the ox's field, the thicket of trees, the creek, the cow path, and the boy's home. It can also include pictures or symbols of the boy's journey, such as the boy riding the ox, the boy leading the ox by the horns, and the boy herding the ox from behind.
Related Resources
Art Exploration: Traditional Chinese Painting
Author and illustrator Regina Linke's illustrations for Big Enough take inspiration from traditional Chinese art styles called gongbi and xieyi. Gongbi (GOHN-bee) is a painting technique that layers ink colors over time to make finely detailed, realistic pictures. This style is seen most clearly in the illustrations of the human and animal characters. Xieye (sheh-EE) is the opposite of gongbi, with its freer, more sketch-like style. This is seen in the outlines of trees and mountains in the background of many of the pages.
Gongbi painting
Xieye painting
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