Gregory is a boy with a big predicament. He appreciates his friends and his home, but suddenly he must face a very big change. His father has found a job in a big city and it’s necessary to move. This makes Gregory nervous and anxious as he’s not sure what his new home will be like, and he worries that he will not be able to make any friends. Gregory’s Big Move! is a very good way to talk to children about significant changes. Bobby Benavides teaches us that it’s okay to feel dismayed or nervous about a different situation, but it’s also fine to talk about it and face our fears. There is no need to be afraid of big changes as these can bring us new experiences. I like the theme of the book as it’s very realistic. For parents, it could be normal to get excited when circumstances improve, but it can be hard on kids. A move makes us value what we have and will lose; it also means stopping seeing some people when meeting others or leaving our comfort zone. This can cause fear, but if we overcome it, there can be great rewards. With Gregory’s Big Move! you can talk about all of this with children and use the book as an example for other situations. Benavides reflects the way that kind of situation usually plays out. It’s good to see people talking about a social phenomenon that is becoming more and more common, like moving house to seek better opportunities and quality of life.
