The Dot

A simple dot on a piece of paper turned a child into an inspiration for others. She in turn deploys the same method of inspiration by her art teacher, to encourage a little boy who also thinks he can't draw. The illustrations embody the meaning of the story - simple and on a white piece of paper. This puts the focus on how something small can tun into something bigger. In the story, one dot turned into bigger dots and more artistic mediums. Fantastic, inspirational, creative, and a must-have for your child's library. Read it/Use it anytime your child feels uninspired to lift his/her creative spirits. - Candy Grant (Children's Author - Omnibus Publishing)

My students of all ages love listening to this story and has a wonderful message. Every art teacher should own this. I bought it used and other than some writing in the cover from the previous owner, it was in great shape.

A simple dot on a piece of paper turned a child into an inspiration for others. She in turn deploys the same method of inspiration by her art teacher, to encourage a little boy who also thinks he can't draw. The illustrations embody the meaning of the story - simple and on a white piece of paper. This puts the focus on how something small can tun into something bigger. In the story, one dot turned into bigger dots and more artistic mediums. Fantastic, inspirational, creative, and a must-have for your child's library. Read it/Use it anytime your child feels uninspired to lift his/her creative spirits. - Candy Grant (Children's Author - Omnibus Publishing)

My students of all ages love listening to this story and has a wonderful message. Every art teacher should own this. I bought it used and other than some writing in the cover from the previous owner, it was in great shape.

I love this book! It inspires the youthful creativity inside of me that I have been trying to tap into again for years. I am an artist and I know that I developed into this only because of great encouragement I have received as a child. We need to bless the creativitity and uniqueness inside of one another, not only in the arts, but as a society of people who need one another.

As soon as I read this book to my 4 year old she asked for watercolors and paper to create her own art. It's everything I would want her to get out of reading a book- inspiration! It exceeded all of my expectations.

This book was just "okay". The illustrations are clever, but the ending is disappointing. Maybe some will be charmed with the simplicity, but it was just not for me.
I did think it had possibilities for a classroom teacher for an art project. It was a good book to look through a few times, but not necessarily to own.

I really enjoyed reading this small book. I find it suitable up through junior high. It reminds me of some art I use with my middle school and JH students which stimulates their imagination. And they can keep on trying, just like one of the themes of the book: Don't give up. Other themes, gleaned from the suggestions of others: see your possibilities; take risks; you have to start somewhere.

Attached is a similar approach I've used with students. Unfortunately, my copying and pasting skills are not what I would like, but you will get the idea. I drew scribbled lines--one per sheet--and let the students decide what they could make of it. The line is the darkest part of the art they made from the line. The ones I'm showing are the best of the best, but it is enjoyable for all, it seems. Read the students the book in advance.

Vashti doesn't believe she can draw, when her art teacher urges her to just make a dot and sign her name it changes Vashti's entire view of herself and others.

I wasn't sure I liked this story as I read it with my nephew. He'd read it before in school and was excited to read it again. We did the audio narration that was part of the ebook and as I listened I found myself quite captured. My nephew chose Vashti's art show as his drawing and it was also my favorite spread of the book. It quite captures the message of the story too...

I love that this reluctant child wasn't argued with or forced. She was persuaded and it was the subtle reactions of the adult that won her over. Creativity was the issue here not talent. She was capable just as much as any student. It is our attitude that holds us back.

The art was quite good. I enjoyed the way the illustrations were inked with color added for pop.

Anyone who gave this book anything but 5 stars, well, they just don't get kids and how frustrated they get when doing Art. How do I know? Because I taught Elementary Art for 20 years and if I had a nickel for ever time one of my students said, "I can't draw!" , I could've retired earlier. To the person who said this book was " dumbing it down", couldn't be more wrong. For a kiddo who thinks they can't draw thinks they can't draw, then they probably think they can't other things and, that is TRAGIC!! A spark is all they need...whether it is starting with a dot on a piece of paper or a how to draw book or showing them how to draw a cube....once you hit on that ONE thing that gives them that confidence to take the next step, you have given that child a gift. And, they will find their spark and they will succeed unless they have a teacher or parent who doesn't believe in kids and how a spark can inspire them! Oh, and to the person who said it was "dumbing it down"...NEWS FLASH...this book was not written for your benefit as much as it was for you child's benifit...sheesh! Lighten up!!!

Vashti is convinced that she can’t draw, so at the end of art class when she is foiled by an empty sheet of paper she angrily stabs a dot onto it. Her teacher, though, wisely follows through with a lesson in persistence by framing the dot for all to see. Encouraged, Vashti now paints all sorts of dots and gains even more confidence, demonstrating that the possibility to be creative is something we all have and that often all we need is inspiration to begin and it will rise to the surface. "Just make a mark and see where it takes you." Quirky pen and ink—oh yes, and tea—illustrations add to the fun of the book. And dots might be interpreted into points! Just think of the possible math lessons there: a matrix of dots; the dot at the center of a circle…. Perseverance and points with a different lesson possible in every enjoyable read.

Story is fine, but I received a used copy of this book with no indication when purchasing that it wouldn't be new - pages wrinkled on each page in a different way as if the pages had been carelessly turned many times. I'm glad I wasn't planning to gift this copy.

This was among the earliest children’s picture books that I fell in love with. It’s about finding your own artistic voice. Vashti, a young girl, starts from a place of complete frustration with any request to create art, and ends up a prolific artist who begins to mentor another young artist. Unlike every other Reynolds book I read after, it’s very, very restrained in the narration. It lets the story communicate the message instead of using narration that’s equivalent to big neon “inspirational” signs. One of our favorite children's books about art and creativity.

Absolutely wonderful! Very inspiring story with a pay it forward end. We simply LOVE it! A true "goldilocks" story, that's "just right" for young children- so positive, a must have for everyone! One of the MOST amazing stories I have ever read to young children. This is an incredible story about supporting young children and their work. The author promotes positive self-concept, determination, hard-work, and encouragement of others.
The story lends itself well to an extension activity on dot art if children should so choose as well.
It's wonderful.

Good book, but the box was left on my porch in the rain. No protection for the contents of the box at all. My books are now wet. Incredibly disappointing. I bought two copies to add to my school library. I now have them sitting out in the hopes that it will dry enough to be useable without warping. The darker spots you see on the two covers are water, they should not look like that.

How do you teach a child confidence?
You could put their work on the refrigerator, frame it, or talk about it with others. In this story the teacher frames a small dot drawn by a child who claims she is unable to draw. The little girl is also asked to sign her work, which emphasizes value.

Society values signatures. We want the signed book, the signed football pendant, the autograph, etc. because we perceive it is more valuable. Children can relate to signatures. Children understand signatures mean something (whether it is a report card that needs signing, an illness note for school, or the need to sign a "take home" folder). Thus, immediately the little girl realizes when asked to sign her work that her dot, her creation, is also valuable.

This wonderful story teaches children about trying, about at least starting, at least making an effort, and then seeing where that start can take you... This lesson is taught through art in this storybook but reminded me of what we were always told in writing, "Write, just start.... <see where it takes you...>"

Henry Ford said, "If you think you can... or if you think you can't... you're right." This simple story illustrates a message of positive "can do" type thinking.

I also especially like that the little girl passes on what she learns at the end of the story by asking a little boy to sign his work. Setting a good example and passing on your knowledge to help others is a lesson for all children!

I pick this book up at a local thrift store and fell in love with it. I realised that I had received a treasure. It inspires a young girl to keep trying and then she inspires someone else. Such a beautiful and simple message. It is a great addition to our homeschool library. I also see an art project in our near future.

Last year I read this at one of my staff development in-services and there wasn't one person who shuffled a paper or lost focus. That is a remarkable feat! This is an ABSOLUTE MUST OWN and MUST READ at least once per year for anyone who works with children. Follow the remarkable story of how one reluctant learner transforms his self-esteem with one dot. Be mesmerized as he uses his dots to inspire other reluctant students who soon look up to his remarkable feats as an accomplished artist. It is the ultimate testament to my all-time favorite quote that I first came across in Mitch Albom's best-selling memoir TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man and Life's Greatest Lesson : "A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops." --Henry Adams Buy it and find the nearest reluctant learner to inspire him or her to leave his mark, I mean DOT, on the world!

Another delightful story by Reynolds, in a very similar vein as <u>Ish</u> (which I absolutely adored!).

Here we find a young child who "Can't draw" anything. Supposedly. But when the teacher gets our protagonist to draw a dot and then "sign it" - well, one thing leads to another and the dots become more and more elaborate.

This is a great book to inspire creativity in kids who think they "can't" something. If the beauty of art is in the eye of the beholder, then this illustrates that so long as you're enjoying creating the art, then that is what matters.

Again, the illustrations in this book are simple but fantastic, and they perfectly complement the text.

Personally, I enjoyed <u>Ish</u> more, but it could have been because I read it first. I would most certainly recommend this book!

Suddenly at the age of five or six, because their thought process is becoming more concrete, because children are looking for logic instead of warping reality to fit what they know, the creative process takes a hit. When you give them a paper, put them on the spot and ask them to draw all they can draw is a blank. Then comes the whining, `But, but..... I don't know what to draw. Can you help me?' That's it. The adult then rolls his/her sleeves, either demonstrates or gives ideas and the art transforms to the adult's art. It is no longer the child's. As a parent or as a teacher what do you do? How do you encourage the child to create?

Peter H Reynolds tackles this in his The Dot. The teacher in this book, looks at Vashti's blank paper and asks her if it is a polar bear in a snow storm! She then encourages Vashti to make a mark. This leads Vashti to create a gallery full of paintings.

Behind every artist is a great teacher. THE DOT is a simple and inspirational story: Vashti is intimidated by an art project and believes that she can't draw. The teacher's timely and sensitive advice to "just make a mark and see where it takes you." opens the door to all possibilities of making the dot a perfect art for Vashti. Awarded for her creative endeavors, she is also able to pass her teacher's encouragement to another child who is filled with self-doubt that he can't even draw a straight line. My 6-years old made her own "dots" collection after reading the book and I truly appreciate a book that honors teacher's influence and reminds young readers to take the first faithful step which may be the beginning of a great journey.

The book was about a girl named Vashti who thought she couldn't draw, but her teacher thought she could. She kept making art out of dots for and everyone loved it and she even had a gallery! Vashti met a boy who thought he couldn't draw, but Vashti thought he could...

Kids will enjoy this book because the teacher is really funny and it makes you think anyone can do art.

My favorite part was when the teacher thought a blank sheet of paper was a polar bear in a snow storm.

Both boys and girls will like this book. Any kid 4-8 years old will like it.

5 stars!

Review by Young Mensan LeAnne, age 4

The Dot, By Peter Reynolds is a book about a little girl having difficulty being creative or having the confidence to do so. Eventually her art teacher encourages her to look at what ever she creates as art and inspires her to take positive risks artistically by making her own mark on art and thinking out of the box instead of doing what may be expected.

A simple, yet powerful story about individuality and creativity, the message may be a little lost on younger children, but it could easily be explained in a lesson. A must for parents and teachers.

“Just make a mark and see where it takes you”. I used this book often in my counselling sessions with kids, youths and adults too. Creating DOTS and talking about taking the risky first steps in any new journey flowed easily from the text and images of this sweet little story.

Peter H. Reynolds has crafted a simple but inspiring story that recognizes the creativity in everyone and shows how simple words can inspire that creativity. This is a book for all those people who have been told they can't by someone, because it proves that imagination lies within us all and that we only need hear it from someone so that we may begin to believe it ourselves. Reynolds reminds us of the powerful influence of teachers and their ability to challenge the preconceived notions we might hold about ourselves, encouraging us to dream and turn those dreams into reality.

This book was delivered automatically in our Junior Library Guild order, and it has become one of my all-time favorites as a librarian.
When Vashti angrily stabs a dot onto an empty art class assignment, her teacher wisely follows through with a lesson in life by framing her dot for all to see.
This little bit of attention takes Vashti to new heights by allowing her to take that dot and see where it leads her. She paints all sorts of dots and gains new confidence.
What the story really teaches us is to try, and to start with the tiniest of dots to begin our journeys. As my library class discussed the theme, many of the kids brought up "dots" in their own lives, such as learning how to roller skate, sink a free-throw, or turn a cartwheel. We all have to start somewhere!
And as Vashti's teacher told her when she finished that first dot, "Sign it!"
This little book is truly an inspiration, and the kids loved it. I want my own copy!

I sifted through lots of reviews to find something fun for my granddaughters (ages 3 and 5). They seemed to enjoy this book from the first time I read it to them. The next time they visited and we headed toward table with assortment of books (some library books they hadn't heard read included), the 3-year-old asked by "The Dot Book" by name! It's a simple message but a good reminder to everyone to stop worrying about being "creative" and just make something.

My daughter (2 1/2) adores this book and has enjoyed it for months already. It is also one of my favorites. I just love the message of creativity. For mom's who are looking for books about girls that do not involve princesses or pink, this is a terrific book. We also love Ish. My daughter talks about Vashti and Ramon while other kids at daycare are talking about Ariel and Jasmine. I LOVE it! We also own an orginal print of Vashti painting that hangs in my daughter's room. We are big fans and can't wait for the next book.

The Dot is a story of one little girl's metamorphosis as she realizes that "if she tries, she can create something original"! It is simple but to the point. This story makes way for a lot of discussion about creativity and what it means to be INSPIRED to create!
My classes in art at the Elementary level absolutely loved it!
Lots of "DOT" pictures followed!
Art Specialist --- Las Vegas, Nevada

Reynolds does a fantastic job showing how someone can be creative or artistic and not even know it. I picked up this book at an elementary book fair first because I thought it was well written and illustrated. Second because I want to help my children realize they have hidden talents. And third because my husband is an art teacher in high school and his students are constantly telling him they can't draw.
This book not only teaches that anyone can be artistic but it teaches that creativity is not something only some of us are born with - it is something we all have inside of us, we just need to find a little bit of inspiration to bring it out. In Vashti's case, it was her teacher framing her dot and hanging it by her desk.
I recommend this book for anyone: kids, adults, teenagers.

This book was read to me at the beginning of first grade. Once I read it I loved automatically and it inspired me through first grade. I didn't think I was a good artist but this book told me that there can be different kinds of artists.

As a special education teacher I took a different message from the one intended by the author: when we honor what children CAN do, and give them the time/opportunity to demonstrate how far they can take that...they may surprise us, and even surprise themselves. I think it is particularly telling that the author/illustrator dedicated this book to his 7th grade /math/ teacher...clearly a teacher who could challenge/inspire/motivate his students to excell, even if that excelling was to be demonstrated in an area other than his own.

Mrs. Robin Killoran

The Dot is a beautifully illustrated book about a VERY good art teacher. I found it when I was already an adult, but in a way it is written for adults anyway. The book addresses those who are unsure of themselves, which occurs in adults just as often as in children. The message is clear but not didactic, and the illustrations underline the moral.

I love reading this book with my children. Such a great message to children, especially those that might be hesitant or self conscious about their work. Anyone can make something beautiful, you just have to start somewhere, even if it is just a dot.

I was introduced to this book by an artist... who used it to talk to teachers about presenting art to young children. That workshop resulted in a number of delightful works of art on the theme of dots.

For those who are afraid of art - and anyone else who appreciates a charming story.

Janet Sherman

This book was read to me at the beginning of first grade. Once I read it I loved automatically and it inspired me through first grade. I didn't think I was a good artist but this book told me that there can be different kinds of artists.

As a special education teacher I took a different message from the one intended by the author: when we honor what children CAN do, and give them the time/opportunity to demonstrate how far they can take that...they may surprise us, and even surprise themselves. I think it is particularly telling that the author/illustrator dedicated this book to his 7th grade /math/ teacher...clearly a teacher who could challenge/inspire/motivate his students to excell, even if that excelling was to be demonstrated in an area other than his own.

Mrs. Robin Killoran

The Dot is a beautifully illustrated book about a VERY good art teacher. I found it when I was already an adult, but in a way it is written for adults anyway. The book addresses those who are unsure of themselves, which occurs in adults just as often as in children. The message is clear but not didactic, and the illustrations underline the moral.

I love reading this book with my children. Such a great message to children, especially those that might be hesitant or self conscious about their work. Anyone can make something beautiful, you just have to start somewhere, even if it is just a dot.

I was introduced to this book by an artist... who used it to talk to teachers about presenting art to young children. That workshop resulted in a number of delightful works of art on the theme of dots.

For those who are afraid of art - and anyone else who appreciates a charming story.

Janet Sherman

I'm a middle school art teacher. I read the book to every class on the first day. Then, I gave them a few different media to use, (watercolor, oil pastels, markers) and asked them to "make a dot and see where it takes you" We made two rules, you had to know where your original dot was and you had to work for 15 minutes. The results are great and we are off to a great start. I also own ISH by the same author and use it a little later in the semester.

Story was simple but effective, with an inspirational message. Lots of color. My 6 year old son could really relate to the characters and to the idea of turning something simple into something great.

My second grade class LOVES this story and have carried over the message of being proud what you do into their writing as well as drawing. The author Peter Reynolds came to speak at our school and was wonderful. He held the students attention and was very inspirational. I highly recommend all of his books, he writes great fables with a positive message.

This book actually has an ageless appeal to all of us who feel 'I'm not an artist'. I'm a middle school art teacher, and it also charmingly shows how a gentle nudge by a teacher can start a snowball of creativity!

This book was read at back-to-school night at Rosendale Elementary by the newly hired principal. The book celebrates mediocrity by framing in gold a half-hearted splotch of ink... once the teacher set such a low bar, the child thinks "I've got talent" and proceeds to create large quantities of mediocrity.
It's all part of the dumbing down of quality and a feel-good educational system that rewards the smallest of effort.