The Big Orange Splot

A loving exploration of individuality, artistic and imaginative expression and being good neighbors. One of my favorite books of all time.

I’ve used the themes in this book to entertain and educate kids, students, and working professionals. Do we really need a “neat street”? Let’s ask Mr. Plumbean.

This has been a favorite bedtime read to two sets of grandchildren, and the message of the value of individuality and creativity is not lost on the adults of the family. "Mr. Pembroke would approve," is understood as a vote of confidence!Recommended for ages about 4 -8. Valued by all ages.

I read this book tomy daughter 30 years ago. I also used it in several lessons when teaching kids about confidence and tolerance.In fact, my daughter who is also a teacher used it in her class as well.Great book. Timely! Good for ALL ages

This is one of our family's favorite books, a book my parents read to me and I now read to my kids. It's a book we give as a gift to friends and family. The story is repetative and simple, don't follow the crowd, do what brings fulfillment to you. The pivotal line "My house is me and I am it and it looks like all my dreams." What I love about it is that it's a message that a 3 year old and a 33 year old can both read and internalize.Side story: My mother painted the big orange splot house right on our mailbox curbside at our house. And she painted dancing stick figures on our garage door. It was something as a self-conscience middle schooler I wasn't a big fan of, but something I came to appreciate greatly as I got older. And something that brings deep meaning to this books lesson for me.-- This is how I rate my purchases --5 Stars: Product works exactly as advertised, is a good value at the price point purchased, and I would buy it again or recommend to a friend.4 Stars: Product works exactly as advertised, fit/finish are what you'd expect when purchasing this type of product, but the product may leave more to be desired.3 Stars: Product generally works but it may not be a good value at the price point or may need some improvement. I probably wouldn't buy it again.2 Stars: Product barely works but can be made useful if you try. I would not recommend for purchase.1 Star : Product does not perform as intended and in my opinion is probably a waste of money.That's my review scale. I also want to point out that if I receive a product that I would give three stars or below to I usually contact the vendor and let them know the problem. The vast majority of the time they are willing to replace or refund my purchase. This is why you'll see very few three or under review from me. I hope that is of some help to everyone!If this review was helpful I would love it if you could reply YES to the question below "Was this review helpful to you?" Thanks so much!

Great be unique message

I originally had this book as a kid somewhere between 1st-3rd grade.... got it through the monthly or quarterly scholastic book club. Teachers would pass out these thin newspapery catalogs of like 4-6 pages of books. We'd circle what we wanted, brig em home to mom, bring em back to school and magically a few weeks later, our treasures would arrive and it would be the best day at school that week. I'm 48 now... and remembered this book over all these years. Bough it to "share" with my 15 yr old son LOL!!! But he always like to see the stuff I had when I was a kid. The funny thing is that when I received it from Amazon, I opened the pkg, took out the book and then just set it on my desk among the hundreds of other things requiring my attention. A week or 2 later, my son must have done his homework on my desk and later that night brought the book over to me before we all went to bed and said we should read it together because it had been a LONG time since I read him anything. Those are the moment that make being a parent worth the time and effort.This book is going into the secret box of childhood memories I have waiting for him for when he's finally grown up, moved out and has his own family.

I have about 10 copies of this book that I give out to anyone I meet with children. Best children’s book ever.

A brilliant book, both in the colourful illustrations and the very clear message of being yourself and not conforming to what others think you should do. The neighbours visit Mr Plumbean one by one to find out why he has made his house so different to everyone else's. One by one they change the look of their houses too, not to look like Mr Plumbean's ........ but to fit their dreams. We do not need to copy others because what they do is better and we want to be like them, neither do we need to criticize others because what they do is wrong or worse than us.Everyone can enjoy their own creativity; in this way we can appreciate and be satisfied with ourselves and feel the same way towards others.A great book which made me want to dash for paper, paints, scissors, glue etc, and dive down the recycling bag for boxes and empty toilet rolls to make a road of houses and trees - and every one DIFFERENT!P.S I think the secret lies with the seagull on page 6. No one knows why he was carrying the tin of orange paint .... it just happened.

The book is about freedom. It is about the freedom to choose what we like, think and "admit" to others. It is also about honesty and braveness. Freedom is of little use if we are too afraid of using it. So, really, it is about both facing our fears and possible consequences. Consequences covered in this book are not only bad (being ridiculed and considered mad) but also good (the main character and later everyone in the street can now live "their dreams").The implied overall message is not a naive: do what you like. It is much deeper and more profound.I believe it is more like:- be honest to yourself (Plumbean actually likes that unexpected change, that orange splot)- find out what you really like (Plumbean likes more colours, shapes and a crocodile in his garden)- find and use opportunities to do what you really want (Plumbean paints a whole night, buys and transports hammocks, crocodiles and palm trees)- listen to critics, embrace them (Plumbean spends some quality time discussing or simply testing his new house with every visiting critical neighbour)- it is often possible to deal with uncomfortable consequences (Plumbean has "lost his marbles")- enjoy choosing the right direction for your long term goals (Plumbean and neighbours enjoys the new life style for many years to come)- an unfortunate bad thing that happens to you can turn out to be something highly beneficial - with the right attitude and some luckThe fear of being too different is in our children from kinder-garden age and probably peaking in the late teens. For many it will continue to determine the paths they take later in life. Will they manage to live their lives or only follow, without proper reflection, what is expected of them - by parents, friends, teachers, managers, governments?This book can be the seed, a subconscious guide initiating subconscious long term preparation, in an area that is not served well in standard education. It may even inspire some grown-ups who read this wonderful short story to their kids.My children (a girl and two boys) aged four, six and seven love the story, the paintings and the character. They don't want to read it every night but it has been a long term favourite for over a year.Highly recommended. A rare gem.

This book is an utter delight, we all love it but I can’t help but wish the illustrations were given their due with better quality paper! May just be the edition we bought

Our favourite kids book ever. A heartwarming story about individuality with appropriately amateurish drawings. We love Mr. Plumbean!

Cute little story. My kids aged 4 - 10 found the outlandish expression of each neighbours dreams very entertaining, and felt very happy for them!Loved the marker pen illustrations.