Books Like The Great Big Dummy
Families who loved The Great Big Dummy by Janet Schulman often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Families who loved The Great Big Dummy by Janet Schulman often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child feels overlooked by peers or is struggling with the boredom that comes when friends are unavailable. It is a perfect choice for navigating those first stinging feelings of social exclusion and the transition from group play to independent entertainment. The story follows Anna, who, after being told her friends are too busy to play, decides to build a life-sized 'dummy' out of old clothes to be her companion. While the title sounds modern, this 1979 classic is a gentle, realistic look at emotional resilience. It validates a child's frustration while modeling how creativity can be a powerful tool for self-reliance. It is ideal for children ages 4 to 8 who are beginning to navigate the complexities of neighborhood friendships and the importance of using their own imagination to solve problems of loneliness.
