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A review by lilmatt050
The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
4.0
I read about this picture book through Ali Wong’s book recommendations and I figured how much I find her to be comedy legend so why not check this book out from the public library and it was super cute. I believe it does send a powerful message disgusted in its simplistic storytelling. I always hear it from adults all the time: oh I wish I learned how to play the guitar, the piano, I always wanted to draw but wasn’t good at it, etc. which tells me that no one helped cultivate their interest or rather believe in them to take up a challenge or hobby.
In this case Vashti was in art class and couldn’t paint or draw anything. She believe she’s a failure and clearly not an artist but then her art teacher tells her “just make a mark on the paper and see where it takes you” and all that was able to achieve was a dot which the teacher told her to sign her name. Next day she sees that her teacher has framed her dot artwork and that sense of confidence and belief in her talent, she begins to explore different colors dots to the point that she forgets that all was able to achieve the other day was a simple dot. With that sense of inspiration she passes it on to other kids who feel like they can’t draw either.
I believe that is beautiful to tell a simplistic story with a powerful message. You don’t have to be a creative genius to explore different outlets of art but never limit yourself and your creativity. It is literally never too late to pick up the guitar, piano, or art and learn to appreciate yourself and sense of exploration and freedom that involves with art.
In this case Vashti was in art class and couldn’t paint or draw anything. She believe she’s a failure and clearly not an artist but then her art teacher tells her “just make a mark on the paper and see where it takes you” and all that was able to achieve was a dot which the teacher told her to sign her name. Next day she sees that her teacher has framed her dot artwork and that sense of confidence and belief in her talent, she begins to explore different colors dots to the point that she forgets that all was able to achieve the other day was a simple dot. With that sense of inspiration she passes it on to other kids who feel like they can’t draw either.
I believe that is beautiful to tell a simplistic story with a powerful message. You don’t have to be a creative genius to explore different outlets of art but never limit yourself and your creativity. It is literally never too late to pick up the guitar, piano, or art and learn to appreciate yourself and sense of exploration and freedom that involves with art.