Too often, books about tech and kids make tech seem like an all-consuming evil that makes kids bad citizens.

The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds | Waterstones

Recommended to young children who think they aren't artistic, and to the adults in their lives who are trying to convince them to give creative endeavors a try. Do you really think you can’t do it, or is it just that it is difficult and needs practise to become better?If it should take sixteen counts to move to the next set, a "16" will be placed next to Set 2's coordinates. But when the teacher gets our protagonist to draw a dot and then "sign it" - well, one thing leads to another and the dots become more and more elaborate. But the overall message of the book is not "oh look what this young child can do" it's the fact that even with technology getting outside, playing classic games, and with friends is even more important and fun is to be found. Adults will love The Dot — and its message of encouraging learning and passing the love of learning. Why not use the story alongside this PowerPoint about the work of Wassily Kandinsky for further inspiration?

The Dot - Peter H. Reynolds - Twinkl

I have read well over 1,000 picture books in the last two years, and I read dozens more every week to my son. Vashti believes she cannot draw, but when her teacher gently tells her to “just make a mark,” she jabs at a blank sheet of paper and signs her name. Find out in this wonderful story about the day when Dot sets off on an interactive adventure with the world surrounding her. It seems to be human nature to constantly compare ourselves to others, but this often gets in the way of our own personal progression. Dot books can vary from simple (providing only the location of the marcher) to complex (also providing the location of nearby marchers whom you are guiding).When a younger child admires her work at the school art show, and then confesses that he can't draw, Vashti knows what to do. Read and Create is a personal blog, featuring children's literature and the play, crafts, outings and food inspired by stories.

The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds | Goodreads

This would be a great inspirational short story to read when students seem stuck or frustrated with their school work or a project. Vashti can't draw, hates it, and so at her teacher's urging, she begins with a dot, stops right there, signs it as her teacher suggests, and the teacher frames it. Randi was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2011 for her innovative coverage of the 2010 mid-term elections that integrated online and TV coverage in unique formats. What is more important: that Vashti is a good artist, or that Vashti is happy and able to make other people happy? I noticed the transition from the limited dark colors at the beginning to the bright sun-colored dot to the double-page spread for the mulit-colored art show at towards the end.

It shows the type of world that children today are so fluent in, and connects it to a wonderful world of childhood fun outside of all of the electronic experiences. I suspect that parents will enjoy the sentiment even more than their children, but it is still a fun idea, and is a good prompt for kids to create their own art.

The Dot - Teaching Ideas

Vashti goes from being a sad and angry child, with no confidence, to someone who has the maturity and ability to help someone else to believe in themselves. In November of 2013, Randi released her first books with HarperCollins, an adult non-fiction book also titled Dot Complicated, which addresses the multifaceted complications of our socially transparent world, and a children’s picture book, titled Dot.This holiday was created by a teacher named Terry Shay back in 2009 as a way of celebrating creativity, courage, and collaboration. And this title is very timely as I see more and more children younger and younger interacting more and more with technology and less with each other. Another contender for a Pop Culture Studies addition, but I didn't like this one as much as Steve Antony's Unplugged.