A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 294

Picture Book: The Incredible Peepers of Penelope Budd

Author: Marie Karns

Illustrator: Amy Wummer

Summary: Baby Penelope is born with bright blue eyes, but time changes one of her eyes to a rich chocolate brown. Her doctor says this is unusual but not of concern, “She’s just the way she’s supposed to be.” When folks respond to Penelope’s eyes with criticism, her mother adds to the doctor’s comment, ”She’ll see things no other person will see!”  And she does. As Penelope grows, she notices the detailed beauty of the world in a way that others do not, allowing Penelope to be beautifully imaginative, creative, and unique.

Hanna’s Comments: As I read this book about a gifted and unique child, I immediately thought of some of the female saints in our Christian tradition who were imaginative, unique, criticized, and determined. There was Julian of Norwich (1342-1416) who saw the great potential of God’s divine love in a tiny hazelnut. Here Penelope sees the extravagance of God’s small things and is made wise because of her vision. This book is a wonderful introduction to contemplative prayer, a prayer that delights in the beauty, mystery, and godliness of even creation’s smallest things.   

Original Publisher & Date of Publication: Gibbs Smith, 2005

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present 

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book connects with: abundance/bounty, attentiveness/observation/seeing, authenticity, awe, babies/children, beauty, birth/birthday, contemplation, creativity/imagination/ingenuity, differences, individuality/uniqueness, mothers, parents/parental love, prayer, wonder  

Scripture Connections: I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14); God has made everything beautiful in its time (Ecclesiastes 3:11); …whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:9b).

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book to help children or adults understand the possibilities of contemplative prayer or simply taking time to gaze and wonder at God’s small creations.