The Big Orange Splot

About the Book

In this tribute to nonconformity, a street “where all the houses were the same” becomes an explosion of color and self-expression. One day a seagull inexplicably drops a large splot of bright orange paint on Mr. Plumbean’s house, which is square with square windows and dull colors like everyone else’s. But instead of fixing it, Mr. Plumbean paints his house “like a rainbow” and “like a jungle.” He adds a tower, trees, and an alligator. The neighbors object but after they go one by one to talk with him, each neighbor changes their house so that it looks like “all their dreams.” The bright pictures which appear to be made with colored markers feel just right.

Why this Book?

In my experience, many children love this book. After hearing it, they want to draw and color pictures of a house that looks like their dreams–of course. The story is a treat to read aloud. As each neighbor visits Mr. Plumbean, “They would sit under the palm trees and drink lemonade and talk about their dreams.” Some adults might object to the neighbors’ reaction that Plumbean has “gushed his mush, lost his marbles, and slipped his hawser,” although it’s certainly the only use of “hawser” in a children’s book that I know. The message isn’t subtle but it’s delivered with aplomb. So if you want to promote nonconformity or just want a book kids love, here’s another Pinkwater classic.