Dot Day: Make Your Mark

I'm thankful for the little things in life.

Like having amazing colleagues that love to work together and collaborate with their librarian.

I guess that's not really a little thing after all.

Each year my art teacher and I co-teach classes on Dot Day, which is a celebration of the book The Dot by Peter Reynolds. It's a book all about inspiring creativity in young minds.

This year we hosted 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade classes to read The Dot with us and make their own dot.

1st Grade made 3D art sculptures:

2nd grade made dot flowers:

3rd grade made aluminum dots (which I somehow didn't get a pic of...)


We both look forward to Dot Day each year and seeing the creativity in our students!

This Librarian's Quick Picks: Mix It Up!

Mix It Up!
by Hervé Tullet
Chronicle Books (Sep. 16, 2014)
Picture Book

Summary:

“Tap that gray spot. Just a little, to see what happens.” Follow the directions and tap, rub, smudge, and shake to learn how different colors combine.

Why you'll love it:

• the book’s design is effective and even intricate in the details: spatters of paint adorn the sides and corners of each white spread, adding an authenticity that readers will love
• the text is spare yet inviting 
• an effective presentation of basic color mixing, and great fun for paint lovers in places where paints can't be used
• While the participatory nature may recall an app, nothing feels digital here; in fact, Tullet's paintings show paint texture so lusciously it's hard to remember that these are dry illustrations. 

Who should read it:

Great for grades PreK-1...and here's the activity kit!

What you should read next:

• Press Here by Herve Tullet
• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt