Book Review: Dot by Patricia Intriago

I've been seeing dots lately.  No, it's not a result of heat exhaustion; though I'd love to see some wet dots falling from the sky sometime soon.  Actually, I've been seeing dots in some lovely, well-rounded picture books.  The dot deluge all began with Dot by Patricia Intriago. The contrasting, simple imagery makes it great for babies, the clever wordplay makes it intriguing for preschoolers, and the minimalist design makes it thrilling for adults.  I especially love the juxtaposition of the hard dot and the soft dot, complete with a child's finger pressing down on the dot to test its flexibility.  Can you hear the loud and quite dots making different sounds?  How would a happy dot look? What about a sad dot?  Take this book home and you'll find out, along with a dab or two of other surprises!

Once I saw that first dot, I started seeing them everywhere.  Browsing the stacks for an art-themed storytime, I came across The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds.  This charming story is about a young girl in art class who feels intimated by the ominous blank page.  Her art teacher tells her to make a mark and see where it takes her.  The girl jabs the paper with her pen and creates a dot--a very compelling dot, I might add.  She signs her masterpiece and her momentum for creating unfolds.  This story is inspiring in its simplicity, and, like Dot, it appeals to children and adults alike.

After reading these two books, you will probably be ready to advance to multiple dots at a time.  In Lots of Dots, Craig Frazier illustrates the world of dots out there, just waiting to be appreciated for all its glorious dottiness.  And, don't forget to include Press Here by Herve Tullet in your dot cluster.  This book is an interactive adventure that asks readers to push buttons and watch the illustrations miraculously change.

Encourage your child to draw: dots, squiggles, blobs, blots, daubs, zigs, zags, and everything else. Knowledge of shapes is the first step toward learning the alphabet.  Drawing is the precursor to writing.  

Go out and connect those dots.

-Miss Ashley