Through the illustrations, Crews shows the characters existing as children, happy and care-free enjoying summer, while including subtle details of the time period the story takes place in.
Bigmama's has been featured on recommended book lists and websites for teachers that include resources such as suggested lesson plans for how to guide discussion and activities in the classroom using this story.
"[4] Thus, in addition to writing Bigmama's as a way to share stories with his own family, Crews felt some responsibility to contribute this type of book to the field of children's literature.
At the end, there is an image of a grown man looking out at a city skyline and stars at night reflecting on how he sometimes wishes he would wake up at Bigmama’s again and have all the fun and excitement of summer ahead of him.
[5] The style of Bigmama’s is more realistic than some of Crews’ other notable works and his attention to detail specific to the context and setting of his story, illustrating specifics of African American family life during this time period, serve to set it apart from other children's books about visiting grandparents or farm life that typically have focused on White families and characters.
[4] Toward the beginning of the book when the family is on the train arriving to Cottondale, there is a sign that says “Colored,” which is the only hint to the social context and time of segregation the story takes place in.
[8] A review from The Skanner underscores the themes of family, adventure, and curiosity that the book portrays, as well as the appreciation for the simple things in life.