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A Big Guy Took My Ball!
Common Sense says
age 4+
Sweet, funny story spotlights the trouble with assumptions.
- Mo Willems
- Friendship
- 2013
Parents say
Kids say
age 4+
Based on 2 reviews
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
Educational Value
Positive Role Models & Representations
Violence & Scariness
Language
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that A Big Guy Took My Ball! is a clever look at how assumptions fuel misunderstandings and conflict. It's a funny story of a playground mixup that kids from preschool to elementary school can relate to. The publisher recommends it for ages 6 and up, but the humor and themes are good for kids as young as 4.
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Assumptions are always bad; in this case, they end up good
Mo Willems explains in a simple, easy way that it's never good to make assumptions. Piggie thinks that a big guy has taken his ball, and Gerald is prepared... Continue reading
This Book is for all ages
IT IS FOR EVERYONE it has positive messages and it shows a great role model the good message is to stick up for your self. It is also a funny book for early rea... Continue reading
What's the story?
Piggie is delighted to have found a big bouncy ball at the playground, but then some big guy takes it away. Heartbroken, she begs her very big friend, the elephant Gerard, to get it back for her. The injustice angers Gerard, and he marches across the playground, vowing, "Let's see how big this 'big guy' is!" Very, very big, it turns out: The ball is in the fins of a gigantic whale. Cowed, Gerard slinks back to Piggie and confesses he chickened out. The friends are interrupted by the whale's booming voice -- thanking them for finding his little ball.
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Is it any good?
A BIG GUY TOOK MY BALL! is a smart and funny take on playground conflict with a sweet lesson even grown-ups sometimes struggle to remember. Mo Willems' endearing Elephant and Piggie show how making negative assumptions about other people can lead to hurt feelings and worse, while the whale shows how presuming the best can lead to good things.
Willems sets off his charming illustrations with a simple white background. Varying capitalization and typeface sizes make it an especially fun and easy read-aloud for beginning readers.
Talk to your kids about ...
- Families can talk about how Piggie and Gerard's assumptions lead them to misunderstand the situation. How could they have avoided all this turmoil?
- When Gerard hears Piggie's tearful tale, he gets angry and prepares to confront the big guy who took the ball. What else could he and Piggy have done?
- Piggie and Gerard realize the situation looks completely different from the whale's perspective. Parents can talk with children about empathy and considering someone else's point of view.
Book details
- Author: Mo Willems
- Illustrator: Mo Willems
- Genre: Friendship
- Topics: Friendship, Ocean Creatures, Wild Animals
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
- Publication date: May 21, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 6 - 8
- Number of pages: 64
- Available on: Paperback, Hardback
- Award: ALA Best and Notable Books
Themes & Topics
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.