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ksoles
Jan 31, 2015ksoles rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
After nineteen books and five Geisel honours, Elephant and Piggie have reemerged to star in another funny, perceptive tale. Soon after Piggie finds a new ball, her joy fizzles as the titular "big guy" comes and takes it away. Piggie's distress literally bowls Gerald over; when Gerald recovers, he storms off the page to confront the big guy. The big guy finally emerges - a land-going whale who appreciates the return of his "little ball" before lamenting that no one will play with him because of his size: "LITTLE GUYS HAVE ALL THE FUN." Mo Willems's lesson regarding false assumptions unfurls thanks to his usual command of pacing; he spaces jokes so as to keep readers giggling and turning pages and his speech bubbles overlap and vary appropriately in size. Yet another hit with kids and adults alike!