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Starting is Everything
Shows that the hardest part of creating is beginning, and that any mark counts as art.
Why It's On Our Shelf
Vashti insists she can't draw, so her teacher asks her to just make a mark and sign it. That dot becomes art, which leads to Vashti exploring all kinds of dots, which leads to her encouraging another kid who thinks they can't draw. The cycle of inspiration is the heart of the story. The illustrations by Peter H. Reynolds are simple and let Vashti's dots be the focus. What makes this powerful is that it removes the barrier to creating - you don't have to be 'good' to make something, you just have to start. It's become popular for International Dot Day, where schools celebrate creativity. The message about passing on encouragement makes it even better.
Why It Works
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Redefining Success
Challenges the idea that art has to look a certain way to be valid or valuable.
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Paying It Forward
Demonstrates how receiving encouragement inspires you to encourage others, creating a positive cycle.
Imagination & Make-Believe
Where the Wild Things Are
Maurice Sendak
Max sails to a land of wild creatures and becomes their king.
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Imagination & Make-Believe
Harold and the Purple Crayon
Crockett Johnson
Harold draws his own adventure with his magical purple crayon.
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Imagination & Make-Believe
Not a Box
Antoinette Portis
A rabbit transforms a simple box into anything imagination allows.
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