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lphel's review
5.0
Such an important message for everyone: just make your mark and see where it takes you. I love how Vashti passes this on to another child at the end of the story, and I loved reading the dedication to the author's teacher. This would be an excellent text to teach theme and also the life lesson of perseverance!
mat_tobin's review
4.0
As a teacher, it has always stumped me that when it comes to Art children are quick to say that they cannot do it and they start saying it when they’re very young. Whether it is because they cannot get down what they see in their mind’s eye with the skill that they want or whether they are told something which just switches them off from art, I do not know. Fear not though for Reynold’s little picturebook is here to help.
Vashti is frustrated by the idea that she has to do art in class. It’s beyond her and not something she and when the teacher encourages her to ‘just make a mark and see where it takes you’ – a lovely comment – she rebelliously just that. Her work, once signed, consists of a rather frustrated, flamboyant ‘dot’. The next morning though, Vashti is surprised and moved to find her framed and on display. Such a simple act inspires her to tap into the expressive side of her slumbering talent and we, over several spreads, enjoy watching this expression blossom and grow, quite literally.
Vashti learns then, that art is not about getting something right or perfect or caring about what others want to see, it is about expression and the spontaneity of the act of creation. As with all great books, its message is simple yet deftly done.
Vashti is frustrated by the idea that she has to do art in class. It’s beyond her and not something she and when the teacher encourages her to ‘just make a mark and see where it takes you’ – a lovely comment – she rebelliously just that. Her work, once signed, consists of a rather frustrated, flamboyant ‘dot’. The next morning though, Vashti is surprised and moved to find her framed and on display. Such a simple act inspires her to tap into the expressive side of her slumbering talent and we, over several spreads, enjoy watching this expression blossom and grow, quite literally.
Vashti learns then, that art is not about getting something right or perfect or caring about what others want to see, it is about expression and the spontaneity of the act of creation. As with all great books, its message is simple yet deftly done.
amyreadsbooks917's review
5.0
Art Infusion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5mGeR4AQdM
http://www.peterhreynolds.com/dot/
http://www.peterhreynolds.com/dot/dot_activities.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5mGeR4AQdM
http://www.peterhreynolds.com/dot/
http://www.peterhreynolds.com/dot/dot_activities.html
msgabbythelibrarian's review
4.0
I can resonate with not seeing myself as an artist. I suck at it. Plain and simple. But I loved being able to inspire my Chief Jo kiddos (in November) with a book that encourages finding the inner artist. Finding someone who believes in you and you develop self-efficacy.
I really want to do this book in person one day along with all sorts of dot themed crafts!!!
I really want to do this book in person one day along with all sorts of dot themed crafts!!!
shighley's review
5.0
I can't believe I had not truly read this book before I celebrated it for an entire week with my students. I used the 6-minute DVD by Weston Woods, which is truly perfect. The story, the illustrations... several classes clapped when it was over.
mjfmjfmjf's review
3.0
A nice thought and a nice try. But this would have needed to have gone a lot further. From a dot to pictures of dots, to pictures with dots to pictures without dots. Not a bad start, but not good enough. With good enough writing though, and the art does work.
rebekah_nobody's review
4.0
I doubt that there are many young readers in need of its central message - it’s the adults who, hearing ourselves, notice how the falseness of our paradigms are a little too sloppily out there, and so we read even more cheerfully as if to erase or negate previous lived lessons on the topic…
destinykaylani's review
I feel like I remember a longer version of this story but I’m not sure where