Published
August 19th 2004
by Candlewick Press A creative spirit learns that thinking "ish-ly" is far more wonderful than "getting it right" in this gentle new fable from the creator of the award-winning picture book THE DOT.
Ramon loved to draw. Anytime. Anything. Anywhere.
Drawing is what Ramon does. It¹s what makes him happy. But in one split second, all that changes. A single reckless remark by Ramon's older brother, Leon, turns Ramon's carefree sketches into joyless struggles. Luckily for Ramon, though, his little sister, Marisol, sees the world differently. She opens his eyes to something a lot more valuable than getting things just "right." Combining the spareness of fable with the potency of parable, Peter Reynolds shines a bright beam of light on the need to kindle and tend our creative flames with care.
When I took the kids to the library the other day, apparently the books I went after had the same thing... remember The Blue Ribbon Day? "Ish" is a fantastic book that shows how we take in what others say and how it can impact our success or failure at whatever it is we are doing. Ramon thinks that he will never do anything since he can't draw, until his little sister sheds light on what he believes are his failures.
Teaching Ideas:
Another great read aloud for all ages. With the younger students this could be used to discuss the language that you use with others, how you talk to your friends, and the impact of your words even if they are in jest. You could do the same with the older students as well. You could also incorporate role playing so that the students can see harmful words in action along with the resolutions or even the "what should have happened" in the situation.
Happy reading!
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