The Dot


The Dot is a 2003 picture book written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds about a girl named Vashti who discovers her artistic talent. It is published by Candlewick Press.

Plot

Vashti is a girl who says she cannot draw. When she tells her teacher, the teacher tells her "make a mark and see where it takes you." Vashti draws a dot on her paper, and her teacher then says "now sign it." The next week she is surprised to see her dot framed on display in the teacher's office. Seeing her dot, she says "I can make a better dot than that." She then starts drawing elaborate, colorful dots and realizes she is indeed an artist.
Later in life she sees a boy who cannot draw a straight line, and this results in a whole new adventure.

Legacy

The Dot has been adapted into a film on July 1, 2004, produced by Weston Woods Studios and FableVision. It was awarded the 2005 Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children's Video.
A million educators and students celebrate around the world on September 15 - International Dot Day, a global celebration of creativity in the classroom based on Peter H. Reynolds' award-winning book.