A Big Guy Took My Ball!
Book review by Darienne Stewart, Common Sense Media
Sweet, funny story spotlights the trouble with assumptions.
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A Big Guy Took My Ball!
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
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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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October 10, 2022
The Emperor's New Groove is a 2000 American animated slapstick comedy film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. The 40th animated film produced by the studio, it was directed by Mark Dindal, from a screenplay by David Reynolds and a story by Chris Williams and Dindal. The voice cast features David Spade, John Goodman, Eartha Kitt, Patrick Warburton, and Wendie Malick
We're no strangers to love You know the rules and so do I (do I) A full commitment's what I'm thinking of You wouldn't get this from any other guy I just wanna tell you how I'm feeling Gotta make you understand Never gonna give you up Never gonna let you down Never gonna run around and desert you Never gonna make you cry Never gonna say goodbye Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you We've known each other for so long Your heart's been aching, but you're too shy to say it (say it) Inside, we both know what's been going on (going on) We know the game and we're gonna play it And if you ask me how I'm feeling Don't tell me you're too blind to see Never gonna give you up Never gonna let you down Never gonna run around and desert you Never gonna make you cry Never gonna say goodbye Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you Never gonna give you up Never gonna let you down Never gonna run around and desert you Never gonna make you cry Never gonna say goodbye Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you
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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
- Last updated: April 11, 2019
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