I bought The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds recently and thought it was wonderful.
It’s about a young girl who doesn’t think she can draw, but who has an amazing art teacher who encourages her creativity and artistic self-confidence.
Maia enjoys The Dot and wants to read it several times in a sitting, but the book is really aimed at older kids and even adults. Maia, of course, hasn’t gotten to the stage where she might question her drawing ability and I hope that she never does.
I worried a little (as I worry about everything!) that by reading her a book about a child who doesn’t think she can draw that I might be introducing the concept to her. But in the end I decided that the book is really about a girl who grows tremendously in creativity and confidence and who goes on to draw and paint enough for a whole art show.
And really, I shouldn’t worry so much!
The Dot is a book about creativity
And is written to encourag artistic self confidence.
Update: We now have and love all of Peter Reynolds’ books!
(We bought ours separately, as they became available, but now you can also buy them as a special Creatrilogy box set.)
More picture books about art
- Willow :: A Children’s Picture Book About Art and Imagination
- Beautiful Oops Book and Drawing Activity
- The Dot :: A Book about Creativity and Confidence
- A Circle Art Activity Inspired by The Dot
- Sky Color :: A Children’s Picture Book about Creativity
- Ish by Peter Reynolds
- Best Kids Picture Books to Inspire Children’s Art
- Art Books for Toddlers :: The Mini Masters Board Books
- I Spy Shapes in Art
- 5 Picture Books to Inspire Creativity
Ah! We went to the Philadelphia Museum of Art yesterday, and the children’s storytime and activity was centered around “The Dot”! I thought it was a great little book, and that it would be very useful to have in art classrooms for all ages. My 2-year old was a little young to pay close attention while there were so many new kids to look at, but I think that one-on-one he would enjoy it.
This is one of my favorite children’s books. I love the illustrations and the story is wonderful. I am not crazy about his other books, but probably because this one spoke so strongly to me. This os the book I pick up when I am lacking inspiration and need a little motivation. Thanks for blogging it.
Hi, I just found your site, via Soule Mama. “The Dot” is on my favorite list. My children love reading it also. I read it as much for myself and I do for them. For me, it is very inspirational to overcoming self-doubt. I too worried, if by reading it I would introduce the “can’t” concept in my children. My daughter (four years old) seems to relate best to the end of the story when Vashti encourages the boy to draw a line. My daughter loves to reenact the scene with me playing the part of the boy. Thanks for blogging about this wonderful little book.
Hello! I LOVE this book! I just did a review of it on my art instruction blog. I think everyone should read the Dot. Reynolds wrote another one called “Ish” which I haven’t read yet, but also looks very good!