A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 146

Dynamic Duo: Book 1

Picture Book: Now One Foot, Now the Other

Author & Illustrator: Tomie dePaola

Summary: “Now One Foot, Now the Other,” is heard repeatedly as grandfather and best friend, Bob, teaches Little Bobby to walk. As Bobby grows, their play includes block building and stories. Bobby especially likes hearing the story of how Bob taught him to walk. Soon after Bobby turns 5, Bob gets very sick and is in the hospital for months. Bob is very changed. He can’t talk or move, and he doesn’t seem to remember Bobby. Bobby begins pulling out the blocks, and Bob smiles. This encourages Bobby to continue interacting with Bob in familiar ways. Slowly, progress is made so that Bob begins asking Bobby for a story. Then Bobby gets to return the favor by teaching Bob how to walk again. “Now One Foot, Now the Other.” Later, one of Bob’s favorite stories becomes how Little Bobby taught him to walk.

Hanna’s Comments: Today’s and tomorrow’s PBT offerings are by Tomie dePaola who is well known for using his own experience as a child to create his wonderful picture books. This is a poignant story of inter-generational love, rituals, and the power of storytelling in families. Long-term illness in families is very commonplace, but too often children are separated from the process of illness and rehabilitation. This story reveals the power of gently including even young children into these situations so that relationships can continue and evolve. In our faith communities, inter-generational activities are priceless and strengthen bonds across the community for years and years.   

Publisher & Date of Publication: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1981

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

# of Pages: 48

Available in Spanish? Yes

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: affection, aging, ancestors/patriarchs & matriarchs, bonds/connections, caring/tending, change, dependence/interdependence, depression/despair/sadness/sorrow, disabilities/handicaps/limitations, family, grandparents, growing up/growth, helping, healing/healthcare, kindness, love, memories/remembering/ritual/tradition, parables/stories, partners/team work, patience, servant hood/servant/serving, stories, unity

Scripture Connections: Don’t cast me off in old age or forsake me not when my strength is spent (Psalm 71:9); Grandchildren are the crown of the aged (Proverbs 17:6)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book in a lesson on the concept of rituals. Explain that even after Bob had died, Bobby would remember him through memories and the rituals he might continue with his children and even grandchildren. Talk about your faith community’s traditions, particularly worship rituals and how they have been passed down across generations.