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The Dot (book)

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Finlan Bendbow-Rendeck (talk | contribs) at 19:44, 9 April 2023 (Legacy: added narrator and music composer of the film). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

The Dot
Front cover, designed by Peter Reynold
AuthorPeter H. Reynolds
IllustratorPeter H. Reynolds
Cover artistReynolds
LanguageEnglish
SubjectArt, School, Self-esteem
GenreChildren's Picture book
Published2003 (Candlewick Press)
Publication placeUnited States of America
Media typePrint (hardcover)
ISBN978-0-7636-1961-9
OCLC51093445
[E] 21
LC ClassPZ7.R337645 Do 2003

The Dot is a 2003 children's picture book written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. Published by Candlewick Press, it is about a girl named Vashti who discovers her artistic talent.

Plot

Vashti is a girl who believes she can't draw. When her art teacher notices that she left her assignment blank, Vashti is instructed to just "make a mark and see where it takes you." Vashti is only able to make a small dot on her paper, but to her surprise, the teacher asks her to sign it and displays it in her office the next week. Believing that she can do better than just that, she starts drawing multiple, more elaborate and colorful pieces centered around the dot motif, earning widespread attention and realizing that she is indeed an artist.

Later in her life, Vashti encounters a young boy who believes he can't draw. After he claims that he can't even draw a straight line, Vashti asks him to try his best at making one. While the result is imperfectly squiggly, she nonetheless instructs him to sign it, starting a whole new adventure in the process.

Legacy

The Dot has been adapted into an animated short film on July 1, 2004, produced by Weston Woods Studios and FableVision, with the narration of Thora Birch and the Jazzy Music of Jerry Dale McFadden. It was awarded the 2005 Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children's Video.[1]

A million educators and students celebrate around the world on September 15 (ish) - International Dot Day, a global celebration of creativity in the classroom based on Peter H. Reynolds' award-winning book.

References