Dickens & Rumi
Cover of A BIG GUY TOOK MY BALL!

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A BIG GUY TOOK MY BALL!

Mo Willems

Someone stole Piggie's ball. That is not right. (Ages 4 to 8)

Book 19 · An Elephant and Piggie BookSource checked

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsFrightening scenes 1/5 · Products & advertising 1/5 · Strong language 1/5
Strongest positivesKindness & empathy 4/5 · Creativity & curiosity 3/5
Series positionBook 19 · An Elephant and Piggie Book
Recommendation3.3/5

Kindness & empathy; strongest caution: frightening scenes.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

Kindness & empathy; strongest caution: frightening scenes.

Readiness snapshotMain watch-out: Frightening scenes 1/5
Recommendation 3.3/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
10Scored categories
10Evidence notes
0Explicit 0/5 checks
Nov 5, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

How ratings workReport a rating or series issue
Review depth10 scored categories10 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes1/5
  • Products & advertising1/5
  • Strong language1/5

Strongest positives

  • Kindness & empathy4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity3/5
  • Good role models3/5

Reading order

Series progression

All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.

Next volumeBook 20 · I'M A FROG!No cautions above 0/5 publishedOpen next review →
  1. Book 1 · Today I Will Fly!
    Starting point
  2. Book 2 · My Friend Is Sad
    About the same
  3. Book 3 · I Am Invited to a Party!
    About the same
  4. Book 4 · There Is a Bird on Your Head!
    Frightening scenes1/5
    About the same
  5. Book 5 · I Love My New Toy!
    Products & advertising1/5Violence1/5
    About the same
  6. Book 6 · I Will Surprise My Friend!
    Frightening scenes1/5
    About the same
  7. Book 7 · Are You Ready to Play Outside?
    About the same
  8. Book 8 · Watch Me Throw the Ball!
    About the same
  9. Book 9 · ELEPHANTS CANNOT DANCE!
    About the same
  10. Book 10 · PIGS MAKE ME SNEEZE!
    Frightening scenes1/5Strong language1/5Violence1/5
    Gets more intense
  11. Book 11 · I AM GOING!
    Gets gentler
  12. Book 12 · CAN I PLAY TOO?Ages 3+
    About the same
  13. Book 13 · WE ARE IN A BOOK!Ages 3+
    Frightening scenes1/5
    About the same
  14. Book 14 · I BROKE MY TRUNK!
    Frightening scenes1/5Violence1/5
    About the same
  15. Book 15 · HAPPY PIG DAY!
    Gets gentler
  16. Book 15 · SHOULD I SHARE MY ICE CREAM? (AN ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE BOOK)Ages 3+
    Products & advertising1/5
    About the same
  17. Book 16 · LET'S GO FOR A DRIVE!Ages 3+
    About the same
  18. Book 17 · LISTEN TO MY TRUMPET!Ages 3+
    About the same
  19. Book 19 · A BIG GUY TOOK MY BALL!
    Frightening scenes1/5Products & advertising1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets more intense
  20. Book 20 · I'M A FROG!
    Gets gentler
  21. Book 21 · MY NEW FRIEND IS SO FUN!Ages 4+
    Strong language1/5
    About the same
  22. Book 22 · WAITING IS NOT EASY!Ages 3+
    Frightening scenes1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  23. Book 23 · I WILL TAKE A NAP!
    Strong language1/5
    About the same
  24. Book 24 · I REALLY LIKE SLOP!Ages 3+
    Frightening scenes1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  25. Book 25 · THE THANK YOU BOOKAges 3+
    Frightening scenes1/5Products & advertising1/5
    About the same

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What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

The story centers on a generic ball; it does not promote brands or purchasing products.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Mild disagreement and frustrated remarks occur without profanity or slurs.

Frightening scenes1/5
Why this rating?

A large unfamiliar character briefly creates mild apprehension, but the tone is playful and reassuring.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience2/5
Why this rating?

Characters face an awkward misunderstanding and talk it through; bravery is gentle and social rather than risky.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Playful character perspectives and imaginative animal interactions invite pretend play and flexible thinking.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

The animal cast offers imaginative variety, but the story is not focused on human cultural or identity diversity.

Educational value2/5
Why this rating?

Supports early literacy, sequencing, perspective-taking, and social-emotional learning rather than teaching academic facts.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

Empathy, cooperation, sharing, and friendship are central to the resolution.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

Encourages checking assumptions, communicating honestly, sharing, and turning conflict into friendship.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

The characters make mistakes but model apology, listening, honesty, and willingness to repair a misunderstanding.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. Where did a character show kindness or empathy, and what changed because of it?
  2. Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
  3. Which choice in A BIG GUY TOOK MY BALL! would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in A BIG GUY TOOK MY BALL!, and what caused that change?
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Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings

What families noticed

Community signal

Community ratings and written reactions are a separate layer. They do not automatically change Dickens & Rumi’s official age guidance or content scores.

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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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