A review by kelboo
The Dot, by Peter H. Reynolds
4.0
This fun, light-hearted book demonstrates the power of positive influence. Rather than dismissing or giving up on Vashti and her artwork, her teacher encourages her to explore her potential. Even a simple dot can be seen as art, and the teacher demonstrates pride in Vasthi's dot when she has Vashti sign the sheet and take ownership of her work. To use a common teacher phrase, Vashti is recognized as "at promise" rather than "slow" or "behind" or "struggling". The teacher's encouragement leads Vasthi to explore her own artistic skill, talent, and enjoyment through nothing more than dots, and Vashti discovers a variety of ways to make them. Best is when another student admires her artwork enviously, and Vashti, seeing herself in this other student, encourages him to explore his own artistic talent in his wiggly lines.
This book is enjoyable for everyone, young and old, but particularly powerful for children who are also at promise and perhaps struggling with their self-confidence in a particular area of difficulty.
This book is enjoyable for everyone, young and old, but particularly powerful for children who are also at promise and perhaps struggling with their self-confidence in a particular area of difficulty.