Dot
Written and illustrated by Patricia Intriago
Farrar Strauss Giroux, 2011, Fiction
Suitable for: ages 3-6
Themes/Topics: Circles/Dots in daily life. Opposites. Emotions.
Opening and brief synopsis: “Stop Dot. Go Dot. Fast Dot. Slow Dot.” This is a uniqique concept book written in very brief, rhythmic text using bold circular shapes of different sizes and numbers to convey opposites a child might come across.
Why I Like This Book: I like this book for its simplicity. It is a fun, tactile, bold and educational book, which will teach young children an array of common opposites from sad and happy to heal and hurt, through circles on the page! Dot helps youngsters learn about emotions in a very accessible way. It is such fun to watch children responding to this book. Who knew that a bunch of circles could be so much of fun! See the book trailer here.
Activities and Resources: Every double-paged spread will provoke discussion. Also every page can be acted out. Do a story time on opposites. This could also be part of a themed week on shapes. There are some good opposite games/worksheets here.
For more books with resources please visit Perfect Picture Books at Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
Ooh! This one looks like lots of fun for the younger set! I haven’t seen it, but it sounds great. Bold and bright, shapes and opposites, what could be better? 🙂
Susanna, it amazes me how entertaining a book full of circles can be!
That book trailer was fun! When I saw the title on Susanna’s blog, I immediately thought of The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds. When I saw it was another book entirely, I wondered how two books about dots could differ from each other. Your review showed me — this is a delightful take on the subject of dots, wholely unique, and loads of fun.
Thank you!
I also love The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds and believe we should add that one Friday! These are the sorts of books in general created by author/Illustrators, not just authors!
Thanks for this delightful review of a delightful sounding book. I sure want to read this one. What could be more fun!
Clar, I won this copy on another blog and plan on giving it to the school library as it is so good.
That is a kind thing to do. And now it won’t stuff your shelves. I went back and watched the book trailer and agree with Patricia that it gives a new synopsis of all the different things a dot can do. As a basic concept book it is full of humor and emotion. It will attract many kinds of kids with it’s wit.
Clar, I bet kids will come up with even more ideas, too!
I haven’t heard of this book, either, but it looks really really interesting. I think I am going to check it out! I’m really curious to see how so many types of opposites can be portrayed through dots. Will go look at the trailer now. Maybe that will enlighten me!
Kerry, I think you will be surprised that it goes way beyond big+small!
Thank you for sharing this wonderful educational book. I am not familiar with it and think it is perfect for young children. Loved the video trailer, as it gave me an even better sense of The Dot. Nice selection for PPB week. It is very different from Peter Reynolds book.
Yes the trailer really helps – to see how an illustrator can portray fast and slow with circles and a few lines. Concept books can sometimes lack humour, but this one is funny and educational.
I love the sound of that, it reminds me of a board book I got out of the library with holes cut out in shapes and though it was for a young audience as you turned the page the shape of the hole made the next picture like a lion for example. My kids loved it (and they are fussy they should be editors ;).
Love this one! It reminds me a little of Press Here. What a fun and educational book for the little ones. Thank you for sharing, Joanna! Must order this one for the library!
Kelly, it also reminded me of Press Here, which is also very interactive. I gave it to our librarian yesterday and she wants to try it out next week with one or two of the classes!
Another fun one. I loved the trailer too. Plus, it’s always fun to learn that there can be more than one book or an idea about how to write about Dots.
Stacy, that’s such a good point! So often we feel an idea has been done, when, no, there are so many different approaches we could have!
Great post! I think I might like this book!
Erik
Eik, I think this is a book that appeals to all ages!
That trailer really is great. I don’t think I’ll ever look at dots in the same way again, and that’s a good thing! I love the simple lines and art- great for little kids.
Hi, Trac! I am realizing that video book trailers are super helpful promotional tools these days!
Very cool book and even cooler trailer. Isn’t it amazing how there are more than one way to write about something? Shows there are more interpretations, than we realise. Thanks Joanna.
Too true Diane. We don’t really have new ideas, more, new approaches!
Wow! It’s such a great feeling to know that Dot has been enjoyed by so many people (especially the littlest ones.) Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm. As a first-time author, it can be a challenge getting the word out, but you have definitely helped by writing about it here and I appreciate it.
Patricia, thanks for stopping by. It’s a privilege to support a first-time author and if this is a foretaste, I am sure we shall be seeing many more. Everyone I have shared Dot with has been enthusiastic!
This seems like a book that appears fairly simple and straightforward initially, yet there are layers that you can uncover as you flip through the page. I like it! I should check this out myself. Thanks for the recommendation. 😉
I really need to work on these deceptively simple projects for picture books. They are so successful.