A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 280

Dynamic Duo: Book 2

Picture Book: The Missing Piece Meets The Big O

Author & Illustrator: Shel Silverstein

Summary: “The piece sat alone, waiting for someone to come along and take it somewhere.”  Many come along, but they are not the right fit or situation. The simple illustrations make this comically clear. The Missing Piece tries to be more attractive, but those plans fail. Then it meets someone who is different, The Big O, a perfect circle with nothing missing. When asked to roll with The Missing Piece, The Big O explains that there is no place for The Missing Piece to fit, but “perhaps you can roll by yourself.” The Missing Piece argues that it is not shaped for rolling. The Big O says, “Corners wear off… shapes change.” The Missing Piece tries it with a strenuous lift and a flop. Sure enough, it works again and again until its corners do begin to wear and its shape changes. Eventually, The Missing Piece, becomes a circle and rolls right up to the Big O. Then they roll together.

Hanna’s Comments: Please note the comments in the 1^st book in this PBT Dynamic Duo offered yesterday (Day 279). Most suggestions apply here too. Like its predecessor, this book can be interpreted in many ways. The pair of these books also offer a good opportunity to consider empathy and perspective taking. In the reading of The Missing Piece, did your listener’s consider the perspectives of the pieces that were rejected and accepted? This second book offers one possibility. In The Missing Piece Meets The Big O, encourage your audience to empathize with the circles too, especially The Big O.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Harper Collins, 1981

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 5 and up, K and up

# of Pages: 104

Available in Spanish? Amazon.com did not have it available in Spanish though it may be available somewhere. It is available in Chinese and Korean on Amazon.com.

Formats other than Book: Video versions are on Youtube.com.

PBT Category: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abilities, acceptance, action, adventure, aspirations/dreams, bravery/courage, brokenness, challenges, change, companionship, dependence/interdependence, differences, difficulties, disabilities/handicaps/limitations, disappointment, diversity, encouragement, freedom, free will, growing up/growth, insecurity, journeys/migrations/pilgrimages/quests, loneliness, mentors/teachers, patience, perseverance, power, problems/problem solving, risking, satisfaction, self-control, self-discovery, transformation, travel, waiting, wisdom, wishes

Scripture Connections: Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17); you were called to freedom (Galatians 5:13); live as people who are free (1 Peter 2:16)

Idea(s) for Application: Consider using this book and The Missing Piece (Day 279), in a marriage or pre-marital therapy context or at a marriage retreat for your faith community.