A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 282

Picture Book: Mrs. Biddlebox

Author: Linda Smith

Illustrator: Marla Frazee

Summary: Mrs. Biddlebox is having a bad day, but she is determined to deal with it in her own very bewitching way. First she gathers it in a big pot, requiring lots of energy. She even twirls it with her broomstick like spaghetti. She reaches up and hooks some sunrays to add to the pot and rolls up the cloudy gray sky like a vast carpet. Finally, she whips it, whisks it, beats and bakes it. Then Mrs. Biddlebox eats her bad day, every last bite of it. When the meal is finished, she opens her door to welcome in a shining night and goes to bed. It is inspiring to note that the author was a sort of Mrs. Biddlebox in her own right who battled cancer for two years before dying of that disease in June of 2000.

Hanna’s Comments: If you are having trouble visualizing the events in this book, then you will be fascinated by the imaginative illustrations. I was also struck with the emotional tone here and the determination of this unusual character. I can see this book creatively used in a variety of settings in which your audience is dealing with a difficult and dark situation that requires energy, stamina, and determination such as a terminal illness, chronic pain, or depression. This picture book could also be used to motivate a religious community who is suffering through a particularly difficult problem such as large debt or a great loss as in a natural disaster or fire. My last idea is to talk about this book as a metaphor for battling evil, whether you see evil personified as the Devil or you see evil in more general, ambiguous terms. Note that the cover of this book as shown above may be different from the one on the book you find.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Harper Collins, 2002

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 3 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: action, anger, challenges, change, depression/despair/sadness/sorrow, difficulties, dying, emotions/feelings, endings, enemies, evil, feasting/food/hunger/nutrition, hope, intolerance, labor/work, lamentations, light/morning, perseverance, power, problems/problem solving, rebellion, resisting evil  

Scripture Connections: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:4); for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11); get thee behind me, Satan (Matthew 16:23)

Idea(s) for Application: Consider reading this picture book at a support group for people with situations of clinical depression, chronic pain, or terminal disease. 

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 88

Picture Book: The Big Orange Splot

Author & Illustrator: Daniel Manus Pinkwater

Summary: Mr. Plumbean happily lives on a “neat street” where all the houses look the same. A seagull carrying a can of paint (“no one knows why,” it says) spills paint on his house resulting in a big, orange splot. He delays re-painting his house. When neighbors complain, he paints his home with multiple colors. His neighbors are astounded and fear he’s gone mad. Meanwhile, Mr. Plumbean builds a clock tower, does some tropical landscaping, and adds a hammock. When they complain, he explains, “My house is me and I am it. My house is where I like to be and it looks like all my dreams.” His next door neighbor is sent as a delegate to convince him to conform. Instead, the neighbor too rebels, painting his house like a ship. One by one, the neighbors are converted, and the look of their neighborhood is transformed.

Hanna’s Comments: One of the many aspects of this book that I like is that the conflicts are handled through face to face, civil conversation. Despite some fear and misunderstanding, the neighbor/delegate visits Mr. Plumbean and somehow Mr. Plumbean convinces the neighbor to risk painting his own house to reveal his dreams. The importance of listening while others dream aloud might be a point of conversation after reading this book. More obviously, it is a delightful book about being drawn to express our authentic selves in community. That is a godly pursuit!

Publisher & Date of Publication: Scholastic, 1977

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

# of Pages: 32

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Amateur videos on Youtube

PBT Category: Classic

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: adaptation/assimilation, art, authenticity, beauty, belonging, bravery/courage, change, choices/decisions, communication, community, conformity, conversion, creativity/imagination/ingenuity, differences, discord, disputes/fighting/opposition, diversity, dreams/aspirations, evangelism, home, image of God, individuality/uniqueness, intolerance, judgment/judges/judging, the Law/rules/10 commandments, leadership/servant leadership, neighbors, neighborhood, presence, rebellion, relationships, religious differences, risking, satisfaction, self-discovery, sin, surprise, transformation, variety, wisdom

Scripture Connections: Do not be conformed to this world (Romans 12:2)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book at a religious community’s arts camp. Tie in the idea of God’s creativity revealed through creation, including our own authenticity.

A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 85

Terrific Trio: Book 3

Picture Book: The Busiest Street in Town         

Author: Mara Rockliff

Illustrator: Sarah McMenemy

Summary: Rushmore Boulevard, where Agatha May Walker lives, is the busiest street in town. When she attempts to visit Eulalie Scruggs, who lives on the other side of Rushmore, the traffic won’t allow her to cross.  Determined to reclaim her street, Agatha parks a chair in the middle of the street. To appease the drivers, she brings her homemade ginger snaps, initially intended for Eulalie. Soon her friend joins her with a card table and a Parcheesi set. Their version of passive resistance works, and soon passersby are stopping for a chat and a cookie. Meanwhile, other neighbors join in, sharing their gifts. Eventually, Rushmore is so transformed that it is given a new name: Walker Road.

Hanna’s Comments: This is the 3^rd book in the PBT Terrific Trio featuring books in which communities become more engaged due to unforeseen circumstances. This is the most ridiculous of the 3 though it is quite charming and funny. You get the sense that these two women want the whole world to stop by for a chat and a ginger snap. If only we could!

Publisher & Date of Publication: Knopf, 2009

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 3 and up, Pre and up

# of Pages: 40

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Post 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: action, adaptation/assimilation, aging, belonging, bonds/connections, bravery/courage, challenges, change, choices/decisions, commitment, communication, community, companionship, difficulties, disabilities/handicaps/limitations,  home, image of God, intercession, joy, leadership/servant leadership, mission, neighbors, neighborhood, non-violence/peaceful resistance, obstacles, participation, power, presence, problems/problem solving, purpose, rebellion, renewal/restoration, risking, Sabbath, sacrifice, safety, satisfaction, surprise, tolerance, transformation, treasure, unity

Scripture Connections: scriptures about the Sabbath 

Idea(s) for Application: All 3 of these Terrific Triplet books could be used in a lesson on Sabbath.