Align inline-block DIVs to top of container element

Issue

When two inline-block divs have different heights, why does the shorter of the two not align to the top of the container? (DEMO):

.container { 
    border: 1px black solid;
    width: 320px;
    height: 120px;    
}

.small {
    display: inline-block;
    width: 40%;
    height: 30%;
    border: 1px black solid;
    background: aliceblue;    
}

.big {
    display: inline-block;
    border: 1px black solid;
    width: 40%;
    height: 50%;
    background: beige;    
}

<div class="container">
    <div class="small"></div>
    <div class="big"></div>
</div>

How can I align the small div at the top of its container?

Solution

Because the vertical-align is set at baseline as default.

Use vertical-align:top instead:

.small{
    display: inline-block;
    width: 40%;
    height: 30%;
    border: 1px black solid;
    background: aliceblue;   
    vertical-align:top; /* <---- this */
}

http://jsfiddle.net/Lighty_46/RHM5L/9/

Or as @f00644 said you could apply float to the child elements as well.

Answered By - Lighty_46