The Big Orange Splot (1977)

Grade Level: 3
Reading Level: very easy to read.
Reader's Age: 8-9 yrs. old (Third and Fourth graders) ( )

Mr. Plumbean lives on a street where all the houses look the same, and everyone likes it that way. Everything changes when Mr. Plumbean decides to paint his house to reflect his colorful dreams. Although neighbors are upset at first, one by one they talk to Mr. Plumbean who convinces them to use their imaginations to transform their houses to reflect their dreams. ( )

I love this book so much I don't know what to say about it. ( )

I simply adore the message of this book: be yourself and express your colors always, no matter how bland others become. The book introduces the reader to a diverse neighborhood, where all the houses look exactly alike. Then one day it happened. Someone (or bird?) decided to step out. The next thing you know, the neighbors are all drinking some funny lemonade and they magically becomes who they truly are on the inside by changing their home on the outside. ( )

Mr. Plumbean, lives on a very neat street where all the houses look the same. A seagull flies over his house and drops orange paint on his roof. Instead of repainting his house to look like all the others on the street, Mr. Plumbean paints it to resemble his dreams. People come to his house to convince him to change the paint, but after people talk to him--they all put an orange splot on their house too!

I really loved this book! It really teaches kids that going against the grain is not always bad. It is important to be creative and express ourselves too! It teaches kids to always remain true to themselves! ( )