The Big Mess: A Deliciously Funny Story of Siblings Learning to Get Along
By (Author) Justin Whitmel Earley
Illustrated by Janna Mattia
Zondervan
ZonderKidz
26th August 2025
6th May 2025
United States
Children
Fiction
813.6
Hardback
32
Width 254mm, Height 254mm
Welcome to the world of The Big Mess! This adventure-filled picture book from bestselling author Justin Whitmel Earley is packed with humor, chaos, and of course, a big mess! This heartwarming and relatable story about two siblings who must learn to get along reminds readers that, no matter how messy, life is better when shared with the ones you love.
Follow along as big brother Mouse tries to bake the perfect dessert, only to be interrupted by his energetic yet clumsy, baby brother Moose. No matter how Mouse tries to avoid it, catastrophe strikes whenever Moose comes near, and every perfect dessert gets destroyed! Can Mouse learn how to navigate his relationship with his baby brother and come to appreciate Mooses uniqueness and spirit
The Big Mess is:
Written in engaging and fun rhyme and features illustrations by Janna Mattia.
Justin Whitmel Earley is a writer, speaker, and lawyer. He is the author of The Common Rule, Habits of the Household, and Made for People, though he spends most days running his business law practice. Through his writing and speaking, Justin empowers Gods people to thrive through life-giving habits that form them in the love of God and neighbor. He continually explores both how physical habits are more spiritual than we think and how spiritual habits are more physical than we think. He lives with his wife and four boys in Richmond, Virginia, spends a lot of time around fires and porches with friends, and is a part-owner of a local gym. You can follow him online at justinwhitmelearley.com. Janna Mattiais an illustrator from California who has a love for the natural world. She works primarily in traditional media, but feels just as at home working digitally. With a touch of nostalgia for the old classics and a spark of newness, Janna is devoted to creating memorable stories through high quality art. Her favorite mediums are watercolor and pencil. When not drawing, Janna can be found practicing guitar, hanging out with Mozart (a dog), or learning chess.