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The Big Orange Splot Paperback – May 1, 1993
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This is a tale about conformism and individualism, as Mr. Plumbean's expression of creativity and individuality challenges his neighbor's ideas about the importance of having a “neat street.” By repainting his house to reflect his colorful dreams, Mr. Plumbean breaks away from the conformity of his street.
“My house is me and I am it. My house is where I like to be and it looks like all my dreams.”
― Daniel Pinkwater
- Print length32 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade levelPreschool - 3
- Lexile measure550L
- Dimensions9 x 0.1 x 7.5 inches
- PublisherScholastic Paperbacks
- Publication dateMay 1, 1993
- ISBN-100590445103
- ISBN-13978-0590445108
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Product details
- Publisher : Scholastic Paperbacks; Reissue edition (May 1, 1993)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 32 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0590445103
- ISBN-13 : 978-0590445108
- Reading age : 2 - 7 years, from customers
- Lexile measure : 550L
- Grade level : Preschool - 3
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 9 x 0.1 x 7.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #17,053 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #244 in Children's Self-Esteem Books
- #570 in Children's Humor
- #688 in Children's Activity Books (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Daniel Pinkwater lives with his wife, the illustrator and novelist Jill Pinkwater, and several dogs and cats in a very old farmhouse in New York's Hudson River Valley.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the illustrations beautiful. They also describe the storyline as wonderful, repetitive, and simple. Readers appreciate the humor and message, saying it's funny and entertaining. They say the book has a great message for kids and adults alike, about living out your own dreams.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the storyline fantastic, wonderful, and excellent. They also say it's a great book to start off the year, and children never tire of hearing.
"...Every single time.The story is silly yet the moral is substantive: to live your truth even when your peers don’t understand it and try..." Read more
"This takes me right back to my childhood. Excellent quality and brings about much nostalgia! Excellent book for children." Read more
"...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...." Read more
"2nd grade student loved the story, great message. But the font size is so small. Hard to see for a 2nd grader who’s learning to read." Read more
Customers find the message in the book great for kids and adults alike, setting a healthy message about uniqueness. They also say the book brings the class together, telling a strong moral. Readers also say that the words are clever and joyful, and the book is enjoyable by all ages. They say they easily understand the concept of diversity and how it's important.
"...Every single time.The story is silly yet the moral is substantive: to live your truth even when your peers don’t understand it and try..." Read more
"...Excellent quality and brings about much nostalgia! Excellent book for children." Read more
"...The message of it is insightful and was easy for my third graders to understand." Read more
"This should be in everyone’s library! A great message for kids and adults! I gift copies of this for new parents!" Read more
Customers find the illustrations in the book very 80's and awesome.
"...The illustrations are beautiful and compliment the story perfectly...." Read more
"A loving exploration of individuality, artistic and imaginative expression and being good neighbors. One of my favorite books of all time." Read more
"...It's such a simple story and the illustrations are ok, not blow me away fantastic, but the story...the story is powerful and such a great way to..." Read more
"...But the colors are just as vivid as to be expected...." Read more
Customers find the humor in the book entertaining and friendly. They also say the story is always enjoyed by their kids and is fun to read out loud.
"...It’s got everything I could want in a kids book, humor and an uplifting plot to shine as bright as you were intended...." Read more
"This funny, obscure little book is a must-have for every teacher...." Read more
"...From a kid’s perspective, it’s a funny story with rich colors and drawings. Plus it’s fun to read out loud. The words are clever and joyful." Read more
"...Its a fun tale about expressing individuality and creativity...." Read more
Customers find the story beautiful, funny, and unusual. They also say it gets their imaginations going and is unexpected. Readers also say the artwork is delightful and quirky. They say the book teaches the lesson of accepting and celebrating who you are.
"...It’s got everything I could want in a kids book, humor and an uplifting plot to shine as bright as you were intended...." Read more
"...it again as an adult to my own child I realized what a wonderful story of acceptance this is. Everyone is different and being different is ok...." Read more
"This was one of my favorite books as a child. It made my imagination go crazy, it encouraged me to be true to myself, and it made me more..." Read more
"...It is awesome. Quirky yet hits the ball out of the park as faras setting a healthy message about uniqueness. Love!" Read more
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Top reviews from the United States
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The story is silly yet the moral is substantive: to live your truth even when your peers don’t understand it and try to pressure you to blend in.
The illustrations are beautiful and compliment the story perfectly.
I give this as a gift to every friend and family member who has a baby and it never fails to be in the top favorites.
It’s not as renowned as Winnie the Pooh or Goodnight Moon but it’s a cult favorite (if there is such a thing for children’s books). Just buy it….unless you completely lack a sense of humor you won’t be sorry.
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!
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2016
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!
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.
Top reviews from other countries
on nous l'as conseillé et on ne regrette pas cet achat
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 luck
The 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.








