Friday, October 9, 2009

One of my favorite books

The Blue Day Book by Bradley Trevor Greive is the one single book I reach for time and again at school. It’s a lesson in cheering yourself up that’s told through amusing photographs of animals. I love the photography in this book and it’s all in black & white.

As most of you know, I work in the main office of a K-12 private school and I’ve read this book to countless children since it was given to me years ago as a gift by my friend, Kathy Jules. She’s the one from my Mustard Story.

I usually read the blue book when young children are upset because their parents are running late but today a young girl came into the office and it turned out to be the one thing she needed.

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She was in middle school and was in tears because of some small infraction that she’d committed. This was her First Time Ever to sit in the hard chairs of the school office (I will probably never see her in there again) and she was visibly upset to the point of tears.

So I handed her this book, telling her that she looked a little blue and maybe it would help. She held it for a little while not looking at it and I went about my work.

I looked up about 10 minutes later and saw that she was smiling.

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The book tells you that everybody has blue days.

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Being blue can cause a person to do things that they normally wouldn’t do.

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Funny pictures ensue. These are some of my favorite pages I’m posting here.

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I just laugh out loud at this photo. Gets me every time, too.

I don’t think it was intended as a children’s book. The vocabulary is a little advanced, and the tongue in cheek writing may be a little above their heads.

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But they get the picture.

Sometimes I’m sort of glad that parents are running late and their little ones need something to take their mind off of Not Being Picked Up.

This is a serious infraction, parents.

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But it’s ok. And it doesn’t happen that often. I got them giggling while they wait.

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Things could be so much worse, the book tells you. You could be afflicted with a demeaning nickname.

And if your child doesn’t know that word yet, they will now.

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You can cheer yourself up just reading this book. The photographs are superb, the writing flows effortlessly as you slowly turn the pages.

And suddenly, you’re smiling again.

I love reading this book. And now my work here is done.

Until later, my friends . . .

PS ~ I’m taking a couple of days off and will fill you in later. I hope to be back by Sunday. It’s not for anything super exciting, so don’t get your hopes up!

34 comments:

Mary said...

That looks so cute -- I'll have to see if I can find a copy. Have fun playing bloggy hooky!

Jeanne Walker said...

Blessings will flow for your tender heart towards these little ones!

Wherever you go...whatever you do, I hope it makes you happy, and not at all blue!

Jeanne

rxBambi said...

I sure wish you had shown me this book 16 years ago. Actually, I've seen it, but never looked thru it. I think I'll buy it tho. It actually looks like it could be very useful!

Sugar Creek Beads said...

Thank you for that smile the animals gave me tonight. Perfect timing for my down feeling this evening. Have a lovely break. Jeanne

ELK said...

that was really a charming book, it does the trick too!

Tyra said...

It's one of our favorites, too. As my children and I work through the grief of losing their father and my husband, we rely on this book and others that remind us it's OK to not feel cheerful all the time.

Anonymous said...

Come back soon And have a nice weekend.

Caroline said...

I actually have this book! I love it too!

Cloudia said...

You are an angel....I know George would agree.


Aloha, Friend!

Comfort Spiral

GailO said...

How wonderful for children to have a friend like you in the office...

Jill of All Trades said...

I've seen this book but never opened it. Now I will have to find it. Wonderful thing.

Kerri Farley said...

Oh, what a fabulous book!!

Beth said...

I was given this book as a gift several years ago by one of my dearest friends. Not sure why she thought I needed it but I am glad she did. It is a little treasure and I love it. Have a nice vacation, looking forward to your next post.

Daryl said...

I just ordered it and another of his as well .. thanks for the recco .. and keeping good thoughts here .. xoxoxo

Deb said...

What a wonderful book and one that I will purchase for Jack.

I hope you are having fun on your respite from blogging. Enjoy the colorful leaves, kate!

JC said...

That sounds like a great book.

Anonymous said...

That looks like a GREAT book. Must look for it.

Enjoy your days off. See you back soon.

Cowgirl in the City said...

That is a good one... It always makes me smile too.

Have you read the one (I think its the same author) Looking for Mr. Right? it's hysterical!

The JR said...

What great pictures. I can see why you keep reaching for it.

Ramona

Linda said...

I'm going to the bookstore today and picking up half a dozen copies! This will make a great gift! Thank you for sharing it with us!

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

I must run out and get it. I LOVE it! Thanks for sharing it with us ;0)

Heather said...

Kate - YOU are a treasure!!! I was that little girl, once upon a time, that got into trouble for 'who knows what, now' but it wasn't anything big. I almost think that I was the middle one involved in something between two others - whatever it was, I was scared and crying.

I loved the Principal of my school back in those days, always had so much respect for him and he treated me like a daughter. He knew I was a good girl.

Kate, I love that you do this in your office; that you're there when little ones are waiting; that you share this absolutely wonderful book! You, my friend, never cease to make my heart smile!

I'm glad I found you, Kate.

CM said...

How spceial! .. what I neat story. It's a Hallmark Book ... where I work!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Kate - you obviously have a real way with children - what a splendid idea to give the little girl the book and then leave her to sort it out for herself - the pictures look delightful and I am sure that was all she needed.

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

I have this book too Kate and I love it!
<><

Mental P Mama said...

I need to get that book! I am thinking about you, my friend;) xoxo

Christine said...

Bless you for cheering those kids up. You've taken a potentially tragic experience for them and turned it into something merely uncomfortable. You'll probably never realize how much that helped them.

I love the book.

Betty said...

That looks like a great book.I think I will get one for my 92 year old Mother. She has blue days It might just help.

Woman in a Window said...

Cute. I found myself slowing down just with the little look. I might even get it. And I'm pretty cheap! But I might just...
xo
erin
(enjoy your weekend)

noble pig said...

That is perfect for upset kids. Very thoughtful f you to share it with them. I remember my Mom forgetting it was her carpool day an i always thought she forgot us, it was an awful feeling.

Skogkjerring said...

I have to be honest Kate, I wasn't going to read this post because I figured I don't have time for anything other then magazines at this moment in my life, so I figured I'd just skip hearing about whatever book you were recommending but it's Saturday night and I'm surfing blogs instead of sewing the new material I bought today into the crotches of my jeans and I decided to have a peek at your blog and low and behold it's a book I have!!!! I was sent this book by a dear friend who is actually an author himself of Children's books- mostly Norwegian (even though he is British) and his wife is an artist who makes a lot of the pictures for various books. He sent me this book when I was having a blue period and he knows what a nut I am about animals- it's a great book and always puts a smile on my face!! So I HAD to send you a couple (thousand) words to tell you how funny it was that the book post I was trying to avoid was a book I have and have read!!! hahahaha!!
Have a great Saturday!! :-))

Pan's Island said...

This is one of my all-time favourite books. I have it on my shelves in my bedroom and whenever I'm feeling down it always makes me smile. I also like his book The Meaning of Life - do you have that one as well?

Anonymous said...

I love that book and have given it as a gift from time to time. It always makes me smile to flip through the pages.

Di

Girl Tornado said...

I had this book, but I think I may have relinquished it when I moved from OH to KS... my book collection was so large, and I really needed to pare it down! Now, seeing it here in your post, I regret my decision to let it go. :-(

Hope you are feeling much better!