This remarkable little book is a reminder that anyone can be an artist as it tells the story of Vashti who felt that she couldn't draw anything. So her teacher asked her to just draw something so she made a dot and then her teacher told her to sign it. That act of signing the work and seeing it framed by her teacher then made Vashti want to do more and better ones which is a wonderful reminder that being an artist is about what you put into it and inspiration along with talent.

The illustrations combined with the handwritten text make this book perfect for an artistically minded first grader or slightly older as they can see what can be done and read it on their own. ( )

From Follett Titlewave:

Krasniewicz, Kathy. "The Dot (Book Review)." School Library Journal (2003) 22 Nov 2009

Lynch, Carol. "The Dot (Book Review)." Library Media Connection (2004) 22 Nov 2009

"The Dot (Book Review)." Booklist. Vol. 100, No. 5 (2003) 22 Nov 2009

"The Dot (Book Review)." Horn Book (2004) 22 Nov 2009

"The Dot (Book Review)." Kirkus Review (2003) 22 Nov 2009

"The Dot (Book Review)." Publishers Weekly (2003) 22 Nov 2009

(http://www.flr.follett.com/search?SID...) ( )

Genre: Fantasy
Art Media: Pencil and paint ( )

Age Appropriateness: Primary, Intermediate. This book is the story of a girl who does not know what to draw, so her art teacher has her draw a dot. After this stories are created around the dot, the girl is then able to pull inspiration to do many other things, and ends with a little boy who also only draws a dot. ( )

This book was about a little girl who was negative about her art. She felt she couldn't draw. Her teacher encouraged her to just try, so she just made a dot. Her teacher told her to "Sign it". The next day in class she sees her dot drawing framed and hung up in the classroom. This gives her the self-confidence to continue drawing dots in many different ways. The book makes you realize anything is possible with a good attitude. I think younger grades would really enjoy this book. It would be a good way to teach them about willingness and other valuable characteristics. I love the how the illustrator uses color in this book. It really dictates the mood of each picture but is still simple. ( )

Cute! Cute! Cute! In the beginning the little girl was negative about art and her ability to produce art. The book showed her progression from "giving it a try" to really enjoying her art experience. Other people like her work too!! I could use this book to teach about developing character traits such as personal best, willingness, exploring new things, diversity, etc.... for grades >3. I could also use this book to help teach about writing skills, illustration skills, expression, and fairness, and personal best to older students as well grades 3-8. ( )

This book is about a little girl who says she can not draw. Come to find out just by drawing a simple dot and the teacher believing in her, that was enough to get the little girl started. By the time the little girl was done drawing she filled up an entire wall of her art work. This book is great for people like me who do not believe they are artists! I like how the book is so white and clean looking as you read it. Its not busy and you can focus on the paintings in the book. I would let the children in my class start out by drawing a dot and turn it into their own masterpiece.

GREAT GREAT GREAT children's book. And also, a great book for adults. Especially for the reluctant artists who think they can't draw or don't know how to draw (children and adults alike!)

I can not sing praises of this book enough! It is a favorite in our house for sure! ( )

This book is about a girl who said she can't draw. Her teacher tells her that she can and just to make a small mark on her paper. She made a dot and that ended up to making a lot of dots. One boy said he wished he could draw like her and she said just make a mark.

I liked this book because it shows that you can do anything and shouldn't say "I can't" to anything. I liked how after she liked drawing someone complemented her on drawing and she passes on what she learned to help him.

I would tell all the students to make a dot on their papers or multiple dots to show them they can draw. Also, talk about how you can do anything and not to say "I can't" about something.

Vashti is a little girl who does not believe she can draw until her teacher encourages her and sees that all she needs is a little push. All the teache had to say was, Vasti, "Just make a small mark," and she did. The little dot eventually turned into many dots that became more and more artistic as she went on. Soon enough the school art show came around and a little boy approached Vashti and told her that he wished he could draw like Vashti, as she responds "Just make a mark!"
-Good for use in classrooms to help teach students that the saying "I can't..." is not a good phrase to use because anything is possible.
-For grades k and up. ( )

Vashti doesn't think she's good at art. She talks with her teacher who encourages her to make her mark on the page, so Vashti makes one dot on the page. The teacher says "sign it" and hangs it above her desk. This encourages Vashti to make better dots. She continues by combining different colors and creating different ways of making dots. In the end, she encourages a boy to make his mark on a page, and starts the growing process with him. Genre: Realistic Fiction because everything in this story could be true, though it is fictional. Characterization: Vashti is a round character because her dialogue, feelings and growth are evident throughout the story. Media: ink, watercolor

This represents a Realistic Fiction book because it could happen in real life. The main character draws a picture and the teacher encourages her drawing by framing her picture. It will help students look at their own lives and human interaction, and evaluate the idea of perseverance. The media in this book is pencil sketch and watercolor. The protagonist, Vashti, is a round character because she continually grows as we find out more about her art skills and as she persists in developing new, and better, artwork. She is revealed through appearance, her actions, interactions, thoughts, from another character, and from the narrator. This book is most appropriate for the primary level.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

This is a good example of realistic fiction because everything that takes place in the story could actually happen, but its not based on a true story that actually happened. Real things happen like Vashti being in art class, her painting a dot and calling it art. It is a great story about not being afriad to express ourselves, we all have something to offer even though it may be different than those around us. We dont learn much about the main character besides that he is shy. We could call Vashti a round character since we see he grows at the end, becoming confident and teaching others to be bold.

This is a good example of realistic fiction because the plot does not seem too coincidental. Also, the children can examine their own artistic talents in this book and be inspired by it. The main character, Vashti, is a round character as she grows throughout the story and she realizes she can be an artist.

Teaches the importance of not giving up immediately, encouragement, ownership and responsibility, "paying it forward", imagination, experimentation, pride, self-esteem, and the many ways to draw a dot. ( )

The dot is a good example of realistic fiction. It deals with a student who doesn’t think she is good at art, but the art teacher introduces her to a sort of new kind of art and from there the story grows. Students could easily relate to not being very good at something at first and then realizing that they can do it.
Age Appropriateness: Primary
Media: Watercolor, Ink, Tea ( )

This book shows how far believing in students can be and how well they will achieve in things when they feel confident in doing things ( )

Vashti tells her teacher he can't do art. When her teacher challenges her to try something, she slams her pen down and makes single dot on the page. The teachers says "sign it", and then she frames the dot and hangs it up. Vashti thinks "I can make a better dot than that" (not a direct quote). Her creativity explodes as she explores artistic variations on of a dot. Very well done. ( )

This book is about a girl in class who is asked to draw a dot. She struggles over this and eventually draws a dot. The book ends with her dot being in a school art gallery and her encouraging a little boy to draw his own dot.

I thought this book was really neat and I could completely relate to the girl in the book. My Creative Experiences teacher read this book to our class and then had us to draw our own "dot". I was really hesitant at first, but eventually did it and the variation in everyone's "dot" was amazing. There weren't two pictures drawn exactly alike!

I would use this book in the classroom by first reading my students this book and having them draw their own "dot". Then I would have everyone show of their own "dot" and notice how everyone's "dot" is different from one another. I might would even bring in a few "dot" pictures for the students to look at. ( )

pretty with an excellent point

You could use strategies of visualizing, and making connections to when students felt the same way. Predicting and confirming would be a good one to use also.

Vashti's teacher inspires her to become an artist by framing a dot that Vashti created. ( )

When a girl is stuck on what to draw, her teacher asks her to just make a mark and see where it goes. After she does, and it is framed, she is challenged to make better dots, and her true artist emerges. ( )

This is a wonderfully inspiring book about a girl who discovers her artistic ability and passion, all because of a teacher who encouraged her to start small. ( )

This enticing picture book is perfect for anyone who feels they ‘just can’t draw.’ At the conclusion of art class, Vashti’s page is still blank. She sits, arms crossed, with her back to the page. Vashti is convinced she is not artistic. Fortunately, with gentle persuasion and humor, a teacher helps Vashti to discover and express her creative spirit. Most enjoyable and inspiring!