Ish (Creatrilogy)

A creative spirit learns that thinking "ish-ly" is far more wonderful than "getting it right". Ramon loved to draw. Anytime. Anything. Anywhere. Drawing is what Ramon does. It¹s what makes him happy. But in one split second, all that changes. A single reckless remark by Ramon's older brother, Leon, turns Ramon's carefree sketches into joyless struggles. Luckily for Ramon, though, his little sister, Marisol, sees the world differently. She opens his eyes to something a lot more valuable than getting things just "right." Combining the spareness of fable with the potency of parable, Peter Reynolds shines a bright beam of light on the need to kindle and tend our creative flames with care.

When Ramon's older brother makes a dismissive comment about one of his drawings, the budding young artist finds that his confidence has been shaken, and that, from then on, nothing he produces seems to look "right." Then one day, his younger sister makes off with one of his crumpled efforts, and - in the process of trying to retrieve it - he discovers that visual verisimilitude is not always necessary. Who cares if his drawing doesn't look exactly like a vase? It looks "vase-ish..."

Following upon The Dot - another picture-book that encourages artistic creativity in children - Peter H. Reynolds offers a charming story aimed at reassuring young artists who are doubting their own abilities. The accompanying line drawings, embellished with show more watercolor, are simple but expressive, capturing the emotion of each scene. I liked the message here - that perfection isn't required to create something worthwhile - and appreciated Reynolds' sensitivity to the fact that young children can be deeply effected by words of encouragement - or discouragement. show less

VERY similar to Peter Reynolds book "The Dot." But this one is about being willing to do things not perfectly. As someone who struggles with perfectionism, I appreciated a book where we can do things to the best of our ability. Even if it is "ish"

This book is so cute, and the best part for me is that all of the characters are siblings. I have 4 siblings, and there have been many instances in our lives that we have acted exactly like these kids in the book. Sometimes we would tear each other down, and other times we were the best ones to lift each other up when we were sad. This book is also a good book for students to read to learn that they are unique and that's okay. Just because you do not draw the way that other people draw or expect drawing to be, does not mean that your artwork is not any good. I really enjoyed this book, and I think it would be a great tool for all students to read and gain inspiration.

Peter H. Reynolds, award-winning author of "The Dot," brings us a story about Ramon, a young aspiring artist who loves drawing more than anything. However, when his older brother ridicules one of his sketches, the joy Ramon once had for his art is abruptly replaced with frustration and struggle. He decides to give up drawing completely, until his little sister helps to open his eyes and see his creations in a different way.

Reynolds reminds the audience that you don’t have to aim for “perfect.” A moving story paired with simple but endearing illustrations, Ish demonstrates the importance of doing what you love to do, doing it passionately, and embracing your own unique style. This is a fantastic picture book with an inspiring show more message for kids and adults alike, and sure to encourage the creative spirit in any child. show less

If I had to pick one book to read to my drawing classes, it would be Ish, by Peter H. Reynolds. In this book, a little boy named Ramon draws constantly until his older brother mocks his work, saying that it doesn't look like what it's supposed to. Then, nothing is good enough. Until one day, when Ramon finds his little sister has been collecting his artwork, and she says that it looks "ish", when Ramon has a revelation and begins drawing everything, as long as it's tree-ish or house-ish, he's wonderful.

There's a wonderful release in not caring about matching up to anyone's standards, and Ish captures that release in the character's development from carefree, to not good enough, to -ish, that wonderful, freeing -ish that allows you to do show more anything.

One of my favorite parts is when he learns how to draw -ish-like feelings. This would be a great section to talk about with students, because it's hard to draw feelings, but that's a lot of what art is.

From there, he starts to write, without standards of perfection to hold him back. Then, he enjoys life, and he doesn't feel the need to capture it, but just to enjoy it. This is what it is like to be at peace with the world and with life.

The greatest artists aren't perfect, but broken people with an understanding that they are who they are and they create what they create, even if it's ish, it's absolutely wonderful. "Not good enough" isn't a thing in the art world. All art is art, regardless of what it is and who does it. This is a concept I want all my art students to not only understand, but believe, and this book is an excellent way to communicate that belief. show less

Oh Peter Reynolds, your book is perfectionish. You won my heart with this book that reminds me to lean into the creative process and let the "ish' rise to the top.

I think gifted kids, or any perfectionist will benefit from being reminded that are musings, in whatever form they take, don't have to be perfect to be meaningful. I'm thankful that Mr Reynolds didn't stop with the pictures alone, but extrapolated the ish to verbal forms and to life itself. Lovely.