15th September International Dot Day

         

International Dot Day is celebrated by children all over the world during the week of September 15th.  It is all about encouraging kids to be self-confident in their artistic ability and inspiring them to thinkabout how they can “make their mark” on the world. We need  to encourage people of all ages to harness their creativity. 

The inspiration behind the event is the children’s book The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds. The story behind this book relates the tale of a teacher who challenges one of his female pupils, Vashti (who thinks she cannot draw), to take courage in her abilities. As the story progresses, from a simple dot on a page, the youngster goes on to make her mark. Such a worthwhile pursuit for teachers and students.

In the past we have celebrated Dot Day in a big way with each class doing something different to then share with other classes. The teachers have embraced rangoli, Seurat, Yayoi Kusama, Kadinsky-like dots and shared a myriad of picture books focussing on dots and creativity. Unfortunately, schools seem to be too busy these days to stop, have fun, create, encourage others and become beacons. Such a pity. If you do have time. Read the book, get inspired and go from there. We've collected together all the dots and spots books we have to make a display for the library. See what the library has here.

Start with Let's Paint  by Gabriel Alborozo where the premise is

Whether you drip, dot, daub -- or carefully dab -- there is a marvellous, messy world of art waiting to be explored. From exquisitely detailed paintings to crazy kaleidoscopes of colour, art is as essential as the air we breathe and much more fun.

Then A Squiggly Line  by Robert Vescio and Kathy Creamer,  a new book that takes you on 

A funny and exciting journey into the power of positive thinking and discovering your creative abilities and self confidence. A brave little mouse begins an adventure armed with just a pencil and a blank page... and a dot.

Here's some art books that feature dots that you will find in the library:

* Joining the Dots: The Art of Seurat by In-sook Kim

* Seurat and La Grande Jatte by Robert Burleigh

* Yayoi Kusuma Covered Everything with Dots and Wasn't Sorry  by Fausto Gilberti

* Yayoi Kusama From Here to Infinity  by Sarah Suzuki and Ellen Weinstein

* Rangoli Discovering the Art of Indian Decoration by Anuradha Ananth

* Some Bronwyn Bancroft indigenous dot art such as The Art in Country or Shapes of Australia.

* Gregg Dreise's books also feature dots. See Mad Magpie and Silly Birds.

Leave your mark!