The Pink Refrigerator

Inspirational, but in a quirky, funny way that makes it much more effective, imo. I want my own copy, so that when I'm feeling down and used-up, I can be reminded to Keep Exploring.

4.5 stars rounded up because the world would be a better place if more ppl took this lesson to heart.
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Reread. Coincidentally, just one year later. But good, as February, whilst waiting for spring, is a good time to read this.

I need to take heart in that Dodsworth didn't immediately succeed in everything he tried. I do wish that idea had been more clear in the book, because I don't like to fail and therefore am not as adventurous as I would like to be. And I think other readers who may benefit from this book may be like that, too.

Again, though, it's not a show more self-help, or even inspirational book, per se. It's fun, cute, provocative. show less

Wise, humorous, delightful. The pink refrigerator in the junkyard encourages Dodsworth, who likes to do as little as possible, to make pictures, read more, play music, learn to cook, plant a garden, and finally, keep exploring. Though I read, cook, and have a (small) garden, I still want to learn to play the pennywhistle and keep exploring. Everybody needs a pink refrigerator!

Dodsworth owns thrift store and his motto is, “Try to do as little as possible.” His life is routine until one day at the junk yard he finds a pink refrigerator. Stuck to the front with a magnet is a note that says, “Make Pictures.” Inside the refrigerator are art supplies. Dodsworth takes the materials to his shop, but when someone tries to buy them, he just can’t sell them and instead paints a picture of the ocean. Each day Dodsworth returns to the refrigerator. Each time the notes changes and there a new treasure inside. “Read More.” “Learn to Cook.” “Play Music.” One morning the note on the refrigerator says, “Keep Exploring,” but there’s nothing inside! Disappointed, Dodsworth takes the magnet home, all show more the while thinking. He writes a note, “Went to find an ocean,” uses the magnet to put it on the shop door and rides off down the street.

Egan’s illustrations are detailed and have a sort of old world charm to them. Dodsworth, a rather reluctant protagonist, is a small, round animal (a dog maybe? A bear?) and is never seen without his hat and coat. Instead of a car, he rides a tricycle and he seems too small for his surroundings. All this succeeds in making him an endearing, rather than boring, character.

Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2012/02/book-57-pink-refrigerator-by-tim-ega... show less

Dodsworth does as little work as possible, collecting items from a junkyard. He took items back to his thrift store and sold them. Dodsworth found a pink refrigerator that left notes on the door......the notes helped him do more with his life.

Fun. Good moral about trying new things. A bit more modern.

K-3rd grade. Good for drawing inspiration for students to feed off of.

Try to do as little as possible.” This was Dodsworth’s motto. One morning, on his daily trip to the junkyard, he discovers a pink refrigerator.

There’s not much to say about a pink refrigerator, except this one had a note on it. The note said, “Paint pictures.” And so Dodsworth did.

The next day, a new note appeared on the pink refrigerator. And the day after that, and the day after that.

Dodsworth liked doing as little as possible. But the pink refrigerator had big plans for him . . .(amazon)