With a simple, witty story and free-spirited illustrations, Peter H. Reynolds entices even the stubbornly uncreative among us to make a mark - a...
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Feb 04, 2011
Masako
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It was one of the most impressive picture books I have ever read. It encourages not only children but also adults to start something they are interested but hesitated to do. All of other his books are also so impressive and encouraging. This book is encouraging about painting a picture and tells us that we can paint picture, even if we are not professional, and by doing that, it result in something you never imagined. The pictures and painting are cute and funny, so it's worth to seeing.
Jan 28, 2012
I thought it was interesting that a book focusing on art has such simple illustrations. Like the tone of the story, the illustrations slowly get brighter and more colorful, but for the most part, they are simple and gray. The book starts off with a frustrated student who thinks that she is bad at art. However, instead of telling Vashti that her work will improve, Vashti’s art teacher accepts the simple dot that she drew, asks Vashti to sign it, and then frames her artwork. By framing Vashti’s w
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Nov 16, 2011
Christy
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With a simple, witty story and free-spirited illustrations, Peter H. Reynolds entices even the stubbornly uncreative among us to make a mark - and follow where it takes us.
Her teacher smiled. "Just make a mark and see where it takes you."
Art class is over, but Vashti is sitting glued to her chair in front of a blank piece of paper. The words of her teacher are a gentle inv...moreWith a simple, witty story and free-spirited illustrations, Peter H. Reynolds entice More...
Her teacher smiled. "Just make a mark and see where it takes you."
Art class is over, but Vashti is sitting glued to her chair in front of a blank piece of paper. The words of her teacher are a gentle inv...moreWith a simple, witty story and free-spirited illustrations, Peter H. Reynolds entice More...
Mar 15, 2010
Marci
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From School Library Journal: -"Just make a mark and see where it takes you." This sage advice, offered by her intuitive, intelligent teacher, sets our young heroine on a journey of self-expression, artistic experimentation, and success. First pictured as being enveloped by a blue-and-gray miasma of discouragement and dejection, Vashti seems beaten by the blank paper before her. It is her defeatist declaration, "I just CAN'T draw," that evokes her teacher's sensitive suggestio
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Jan 24, 2012
Angela
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I really liked this book. It is useful to teach so many things.
Quick overview: A student, Vashti, who does not want to do her artwork because she believes she cannot draw, simply turns in a single dot for her project. After appreciation and encouragement from her teacher about the artwork, Vashti starts experimenting with her art. She creates a gallery of "dot" art. In the end she shows off her work and even passes her wisdom to a fan of her art.
This book is More...
Quick overview: A student, Vashti, who does not want to do her artwork because she believes she cannot draw, simply turns in a single dot for her project. After appreciation and encouragement from her teacher about the artwork, Vashti starts experimenting with her art. She creates a gallery of "dot" art. In the end she shows off her work and even passes her wisdom to a fan of her art.
This book is More...
Mar 10, 2011
Charlene
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Summary:
Art class was over and Vashti was sad because her piece of paper was completely blank. The teacher said"Ah! A polar bear in a snowstorm!" Vashti didn't laugh. (Feeling: Sad Conflict: Person vs. self/person vs. person)
The art teacher told Vashti to draw a dot. Vashti jabbed a dot. "Now sign it" the teacher ordered. (Feeling: Confused Conflict: Person vs. Person)
The next day Vashti went in the art room and saw her drawing of the dot and he More...
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Mar 30, 2009
Patricia
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The problem with an old teacher is she has so many experiences that connect to almost anything anywhere anytime. And The Dot reminds me of a time when I was teaching first graders, and I encouraged them to paint. I gave them each of the primary colors one color at a time. The day I gave them two was the day of discovery, like the girl in the book. But more importantly, to the chagrin of the principal, I displayed all paintings. Each little artist enjoyed the experience from the girl who drew a
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Mar 06, 2010
Kendra
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Feb 22, 2010
Josiah
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This is the story of one girl who, through the simplest of beginning points, comes to realize that she has her own unique affinity for artistic expression.
Vashti is a girl who knows that her artistic skills do not favorably compare with those of many of her well-endowed peers, but her art teacher is unwilling to let her accept that oversimplification as a blanket appraisal of her ability to create. Vashti's teacher gives her a starting point that to Vashti seems not like a real st More...
Vashti is a girl who knows that her artistic skills do not favorably compare with those of many of her well-endowed peers, but her art teacher is unwilling to let her accept that oversimplification as a blanket appraisal of her ability to create. Vashti's teacher gives her a starting point that to Vashti seems not like a real st More...
Dec 02, 2009
Ann
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Another delightful story by Reynolds, in a very similar vein as Ish (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 beh More...
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 beh More...
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Oct 18, 2009
This is a great little story on the topic of subtle motivation of children. A little girl thinks she can't draw so she refuses to try. The teacher in the story cleverly recognizes all childrens' creative inclinations and showcases the girl's artwork. This fosters confidence in the little girl. She in turn begins to love art and help others find their own inspiration.
I am drawn to this book from the point of view of both an educator and artist. I am always concerned that we as teacher More...
I am drawn to this book from the point of view of both an educator and artist. I am always concerned that we as teacher More...
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Jan 24, 2012
I loved this book because it showed how you can see beauty and provide a kid with confidence by doing something so easily! I also love how at the end, Vashiti is seen as a great artist by one of her peers and then uses the same instructions the art teacher gave her to the little boy. The illustrations in this book showed how Vashiti's artwork changed overtime and all the different kinds of dots she drew. The protagonist started out as saying "can't" and had self esteem issues when
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Jan 25, 2011
Kristin
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This was a great book for students who are doubting themselves when it comes to anything school related or anything in life in general. The main character says the infamous words, "I can't," when she is asked to draw a picture for art class. With a little boost from her teacher, she finds that she is able to draw, and even goes above and beyond by entering her work in an art show. She goes on to inspire and encourage other students who are feeling the same way that she did before she c
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Jan 24, 2012
The illustrations of this book really add another dimension to the book. While they look more like rough sketches, the colors used in the backgrounds represent the different moods and emotions of the main character, Vashti, as he struggles with conventional drawing. One day, he just creates a dot on a page, and his teacher encourages him to pursue this theme further. He eventually ends up producing some complex artwork, solely created from dots and colors. Meanwhile, he encourages his fellow pee
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Nov 23, 2011
Scott
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Great book that inspires children to attempt something that they are afraid they can't do. Utilize this book for lessons that students may typically shy away from in hopes that they will give it a go. An exercise that can be done after reading this book is to have students brainstorm on a time when they were afraid to try something new. It could be a food, riding a bike or other activity; then write about how they felt once they completed the activity. Teacher could ask if they still participate
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Jan 25, 2011
Kristy
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This was such a cute book. It would be a great book for teachers to read to students who were having problems with accepting themselves or their work. It is about an artist who doesnt like their work. They draw a dot and their teacher frames it. They realize that they can do a much better dot. So once they sit and start working they do tons of beautiful dots! Another child comments on how beautiful their work is and how they wish they could do work like that. And they say you can draw some
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Oct 25, 2009
(NS)Jordyn
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Viewed on Scholastic Video Collection DVD
A little girl named Vashti doesn't think she is very artistic. Her teacher helps her see that anyone can find their creative side if they stop being so hard on themselves. Then, Vashti passes it on to someone else. This is a great story to use with students at the beginning of the year. Often times, a change in perspective can be good for self esteem and this story is a great example of that. I would recommend using this with students between k More...
A little girl named Vashti doesn't think she is very artistic. Her teacher helps her see that anyone can find their creative side if they stop being so hard on themselves. Then, Vashti passes it on to someone else. This is a great story to use with students at the beginning of the year. Often times, a change in perspective can be good for self esteem and this story is a great example of that. I would recommend using this with students between k More...
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Oct 06, 2009
This simple book was drawn in cartoon style, giving the characters exaggerated features such as Vashti’s nose and the teacher’s hair. The media used was watercolor, ink, and tea. An interesting feature is that the text was handwritten by the illustration, not typed on a computer. The backgrounds are all white and the characters are drawn in black and white. But for many of the illustrations the theme of “the dot” is used by having a circle of color behind the focal point to make a spotlight.
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Aug 05, 2011
Erin
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In The Dot, Reynolds addresses creativity, self expression, and confidence, and stepping outside 'the rules' at times to explore the artist within. The main character is Vashti and already she is a frustrated young artist but she is encouraged by her teacher to "...just make a mark and see where it takes you." Vashti responds to the quiet, authentic celebration of her work and is inspired to continue exploring and creating new and better dots! In the final pages, it is clear the strong
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Feb 19, 2011
TRY!!! I believe this is the most important lesson we can teach all the Vashti's we will have in our classrooms. Everything we do in life begins with a dot... the small mark we make in the beginning that grows and grows into something that we are proud of. This book is genius in its delivery of this simple, yet hugely inspiring, message. As an educator, I find it my honest duty and responsibility to be proud of all the dots my students will produce. This text is definitely great to use in the be
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Feb 01, 2011
Winta
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Great book! It's about a little girl who believed she couldn't draw and was discouraged. Her teacher gave her a piece of paper and the girl put a dot. Her teacher then told her to sign it and hung it up in her wall the next day. The girl then thought "Hey, I can make a better dot than that" and begin making more dots of different kinds. Towards the end, a little boy sees her artwork and tells her she's really good and wishes he could do something like that. The little girl tells the bo
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Sep 11, 2011
Rodricucuz
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The Dot by Peter Reynolds is an excellent book . "The Dot" is a story about a little girl who finds school to be boring until she finds out that it can be exciting when she discovers a way to express herself. The little girls teacher finds out that the little girl has a hidden talent as an artist. This book is age appropriate for readers K-3rd grade. This book is also good for read a loud to students because it short and full of pictures. It is also a good book to read to elementary s
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Sep 02, 2010
Caroline
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This is a great book for many different reasons and activities. It could be read before the children are beginning an art project in order to build self esteem in those who like and dislike art. It could also be used to inspire creativity in not only art but writing, reading, singing, and numerous other talents. It is a book that many children can relate to as everyone has felt inadequate at some time or another and needed a boost from whatever source that might come from. It is truly a story th
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Feb 28, 2011
I love this story. It is about a girl who thinks that she cant draw. One day the teacher just tells her to make a mark and sign it. The teacher guides and encourages the student by hanging her "dot" in a really nice picture frame for all to see. The girl uses that as motivation to make an even better dot, and thus starts her artist adventures. I think this book could be used for kindergarten-2nd grade. It would be a good motivational tool and a good way to begin the year, letting stude
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Jan 25, 2011
Megan
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Creativity can be as simple as a dot. This is a great book to read to students who be unsure about their abilities and need some encouragement. Bashdi doesn't think she can draw, and her teacher shows her how simple a drawing. Learning can be done when least expected as Bashdi gives advice to another student. Anything can be viewed as art and Bashdi was very proud and excited when her work was on display. Children in the classroom can get a sense of encouragement and self-confidence when th
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Jan 25, 2011
Misty
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The Dot is a great book to use on the first day of school to help with building confidence. The main character does not believe in herself or her ability to be artistic. For the sake of not giving the story away, the teacher does something to give the main character so much confidence that by the end of the story she hosts her own art show and is giving advise to a peer who is feeling less than confident. This is a feel good book and reminds teachers what they really want for their students. It
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Feb 22, 2011
Ebony
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This book exposes the life-changing effect a teacher can have on a student. It embraces the lesson that great things can come about from the smallest expression and some encouragement. I enjoyed this book and would use it to teach comprehension skills regarding the messages portrayed in the story from the author. The illustrations are bright and kid-friendly. I believe that every student can relate to the story because we all have experienced something small in which we wanted to give up until
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Mar 16, 2011
Sheniece
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This is the best motivational children's book I have ever read. The character Dot believes she can't draw in the beginning, but her teacher thinks the opposite. Thus, Dot's teacher does things to make Dot feel good about her art work. The teacher in this story should inspire all future teachers to follow in her footsteps when it comes to motivating children. I would use this book to have students discuss what they believe the theme of the story is and how they came to that conclusion. I would al
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Jan 25, 2011
Kelley
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This book would be great for any students that are struggling with a certain something. This books shows that even when you think you cannot do something or do not have enough talent for it, there is a way to make it your own. I also like it because it shows students there is not just one right and wrong way for everything they do, which encourages creativity and individuality. Because many students may feel overwhelmed in the first few days of school, this book will help them to relax and inspi
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Jul 30, 2008
Emily
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it was a cute little story. i really liked it
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