The Dot

by Peter H. Reynolds

Book Overview

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 invitation to express herself. But Vashti can't draw - she's no artist. To prove her point, Vashti jabs at a blank sheet of paper to make an unremarkable and angry mark. "There " she says. That one little dot marks the beginning of Vashti's journey of surprise and self-discovery. That special moment is the core of Peter H. Reynolds's delicate fable about the creative spirit in all of us.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0763619612
• ISBN13: 9780763619619
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 7.6" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 5 to 9 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 4

Customer Reviews

Must Read

My kids love this book. It teaches kids to at least try something before saying they can’t. It’s a good encouragement story. My kids started coloring dots after we read it!!!

The Dot is a short, simple story of encouragement that my daughter loved

We have bought numerous children's stories perhaps two or three hundred and currently, this very short story is in the top ten of her favs.

The Dot

There is no right or wrong way to dream and become an inspiration to others. This book is wonderful and many kids I've read it to said it was their favorite book and wanted to hear it again. Exceptional choice for art teachers looking for an easy place to grow from throughout the year.

Cute Book!

Let your imagination bloom! This book is cute & teaches kids to be creative & think outside the box.

El Punto!

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.

Wonderful Story and Author

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.

Help your kids learn creativity

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.

A Must for Any Elementary Library

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!

A Delightful Book

Vashti thinks she's a terrible artist. Her art teacher challenges her to draw a dot. When Vashti sees her finished dot on display behind the teacher's desk, she decides she can do better. The beautifully simple illustrations add to this sweet book about finding hidden talents.