Celebrate International Dot Day Sep. 15, 2020

Virtual Dot Day Celebration on Facebook with Peter H. Reynolds

Tuesday, Sep. 15, 2020 at 1 p.m. EDT

International Dot Day is upon us and 19,072,152 students from 188 countries have begun celebrating by making their dots. I have personally watched this phenomenon grow year after year and it couldn’t be more timely and relevant to see children connecting, creating and caring about each other globally. The world needs Dot Day!

It all began with a book. The Dot. Written by Peter H. Reynolds in 2003. Iowa teacher Terry (T.J.) Shay, who held the very first Dot Day celebration in 2009, has been the motivational force behind this extraordinary annual event.

And a girl named Vashti, who claimed she couldn’t draw. Her teacher believed in Vashti and asked her to make a dot. She stabbed her dot on a piece of paper and handed it to her teacher. Her teacher asked her to sign it. A few days later, Vashti saw her “dot” framed and hanging at the front of the class.

Seventeen years later, Vashti’s act of courage continues to inspire children worldwide. Around September 15ish, over 19 million children will celebrate creativity, courage and collaboration as they participate in International Dot Day.

Each year teachers and students continue to take International Dot Day to a new level, using many ways to connect and partner with teachers and students in all 50 states and 186 countries. This is truly a global event where children are connecting the dots with each other around the world.

It’s not to late to sign up for International Dot Day. Register at www.TheDotClub.org to be part of this year’s tally, and get free downloadable #DotDay guide, certificate & multi-language posters. Just beneath the picture of the world, you can click on language and 110 different languages will appear so may participate in your own language. You will also find all the information and resources you will need to get started, inspired and connected. Teachers, make sure you check out the special section Skype in the Classroom to learn how to connect with students from other schools.

Follow International Dot Day on:
Facebook: Share on the Dot Day Facebook page (facebook.com/InternationalDotDay)
Twitter: Connect on Twitter using (twitter.com/DotClubConnect)
Use the hashtags: #DotDay and #Makeyourmark

17 Million Kids Celebrate International Dot Day Globally

Nearly 17 million students from 182 countries have begun celebrating International Dot Day. I have personally watched this phenomenon grow year after year and it couldn’t be more timely and relevant to see children connecting with each other globally.

Sixteen years later, Vashti’s act of courage continues to inspire children worldwide. Around September 15ish, nearly 17 million children will celebrate creativity, courage and collaboration as they participate in International Dot Day.

Each year teachers and students continue to take International Dot Day to a new level, using many ways to connect and partner with teachers and students in all 50 states and 182 countries. This is truly a global event where children are connecting the dots with each other around the world.

It’s not to late to sign up for International Dot Day. If you are a teacher, homeschooler or parent who wants to get involved in this powerful event, there is still time to enroll your students and children. It will continue next week and beyond. Visit the International Dot Day site for all the information and resources you will need to get started, inspired and connected. Teachers, make sure you check out the special section Skype in the Classroom to learn how to connect with students from other schools.

International Dot Day – Sep. 10 -15, 2018 – #MakeYourMark #DotDay

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL DOT DAY — Sep. 10 -15, 2018

This week is the 15th anniversary of Peter H. Reynold’s international bestselling book, The Dot, about a girl named Vashti, who doesn’t think she can draw. Her teacher believed in Vashti and asked her to make a dot. She stabbed her dot on a piece of paper and handed it to her teacher. Her teacher asked her to sign it. A few days later, Vashti saw her “dot” framed and hanging at the front of the class.
Fifteen years later, Vashti’s act of courage continues to inspire children worldwide.

It is also the 10th annual celebration of International Dot Day, started by teacher T. J. Shay. Nearly 13 million students from 177 countries will be participating. Each year is bigger and better. It will be a fun week for children worldwide to read The Dot in 12 different languages and braille, sing the Dot Song, use their imaginations to make their unique and creative dots, and share their masterpieces. Many classrooms have signed up to SKYPE and connect with each other in the U.S. and around the world. Make sure you visit Dot Central.

Authors have created Celebri-Dots. KidLit bloggers are making their marks today and all week. Please remember to post your dots on your websites, Facebook and Twitter using @DotClubConnect, #dotday and #makeyourmark. Check out Beth Stilborn’s website to read her Dot Day post and view her creative dot.

Follow International Dot Day on:
Facebook: Share on the Dot Day Facebook page (facebook.com/InternationalDotDay)
Twitter: Connect on Twitter using (twitter.com/DotClubConnect)
Use the hashtags: #DotDay and #Makeyourmark

My 2018 Dot

Happy International Dot Day from Children’s Books Heal!

Celebrate International Dot Day September 15ish

Celebrate International Dot Day September 15ish

dot_day_2012_v01 It all began with a book. The Dot. Written by Peter H. Reynolds in 2003.

Thirteen years later, Vashti’s act of courage continues to inspire children worldwide. Around September 15ish, nearly 7 million children from 139 countries will celebrate creativity, courage and collaboration as they participate in International Dot Day.

Iowa teacher Terry (T.J.) Shay, who held the very first Dot Day celebration in 2009, has been the motivational force behind this extraordinary annual event.

Each year teachers and students continue to take International Dot Day to a new level, using many ways to connect and partner with teachers and students in all 50 states and 131 countries. This is truly a global event where children are connecting the dots with each other around the world.

It’s not to late to sign up for International Dot Day. If you are a teacher, homeschooler or parent who wants to get involved in this powerful event, there is still time to enroll your students and children. Visit the International Dot Day site for all the information and resources you will need to get started, inspired and connected. Teachers, make sure you check out the special section Skype in the Classroom to learn how to connect with students from other schools.

Follow International Dot Day on:

Facebook: Share on the Dot Day Facebook page (facebook.com/InternationalDotDay)

Twitter: Connect on Twitter using (twitter.com/DotClubConnect)

Use the hashtags: #DotDay and #Makeyourmark

I encourage my author friends to check out the Celebri-Dots and submit your own special dot. To my KidLit blogging friends, please consider posting a dot on your website anytime before or after September 15ish. There are no right or wrong ways, only a lot of creative fun!

Join Peter H. Reynolds this Saturday, September 10, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., at Blue Bunny Books in Dedham Square, MA, to kick off the 8th annual International Dot Day week. Peter hopes there will be a lot of friends on hand to “Make their Marks” with him. Bonus points if you come wearing dots!

My 2016 Mark pat-dot-pat

Happy International Dot Day!

Today is the 12th anniversary of Peter H. Reynold’s international bestselling book, The Dot, about a girl who doesn’t think she can draw.

It is also the seventh annual celebration of International Dot Day. Over 3,910,952 students from 115 countries will be participating. It will be a fun week for children worldwide to read The Dot in 12 different languages and braille, sing the Dot Song, use their imagination to make their unique and creative dots, and share their masterpieces. Many classrooms have signed up to SKYPE and connect with each other in the U.S. and around the world.

I have included a few of the dots I’ve created over the years.

Remember to have fun today and this week of celebration of imagination, creativity connecting with our global friends. I’m still hoping for many more KidLit bloggers sharing their dots.

International Dot Day Growing – September 15-ish

“Creating…Connecting…Collaborating…Sharing” is the theme for this year’s International Dot Day. Celebrated the week of September 15th-ish, over 3,786,213 children have signed up since 2014 from 115 countries. They will celebrate in their classrooms and individually.

September 15, will be the 12th anniversary of Peter H. Reynold’s international bestselling book, The Dot, about a girl who doesn’t believe she can draw. The book has been translated and published into 12 different languages and braille. Iowa teacher Terry (T.J.) Shay, who held the very first Dot Day celebration in 2009, has been the motivational force behind this extraordinary annual event.

Each year teachers and students continue to take International Dot Day to a new level, using many ways to connect and partner with teachers and students in all 50 states and 112 countries. This is truly a global event where children are connecting the dots with each other around the world.

If you are a teacher, homeschooler or parent who wants to get involved in this incredibly powerful event, there is still time to enroll your students and children. Visit the International Dot Day site for all the information and resources you will need to get started, inspired and connected. Teachers, make sure you check out the special section Skype in the Classroom and view the sections on Find a Lesson, A Teacher or Mystery Skype. Many teachers have posted requests to partner with other schools.

Teachers may want to check out this cute video to use after they read The Dot. Singer song-writer Emily Dale collaborated with Reynolds to create the lively The Dot Song, which includes a hand motions guide.

You can follow International Dot Day on:

Facebook: Share on Dot Day Facebook page (facebook.com/InternationalDotDay)

Twitter: Connect on Twitter using @DotClubConnect, and #dotday and #makeyourmark

Challenge: I encourage many of my author friends who’ve published books to check out the Celebri-Dots and submit your own special dot. To my KidLit blogging friends who are such outstanding artists and always sharing their artwork, please consider posting a dot on your website September 15th-ish. Many of you are wonderful poets and may find a calling in writing a poem about Dot Day, along with a dot. There are no right or wrong ways, only a lot of creative fun! Visit the Dot Gallery for inspiration. I will post my dot on September 15.

Please check out my friend and blogging colleague Beth Stilborn’s post on International Dot Day. Beth shares many of the dots she’s created each year and tells Vashti’s story in The Dot.

Peter Reynold’s will officially kick-off International Dot Day on Saturday, September 12 from 11-2 p.m. at The Blue Bunny, in Dedham, MA. Reynolds hopes a lot friends will join him to “make their marks.” Everyone is encouraged to wear dots that day.

International Dot Day Countdown – September 15

In seven days children around the world will be kicking off International Dot Day. Over 1,925,183 million children from 85 countries have signed up to celebrate in their classrooms and individually. The goal this year is to have two million children celebrating, connecting and making their dots the week of September 15. It is usually a week-long event.

September 15 will be the 11th anniversary of Peter H. Reynold’s international bestselling book, The Dot, about a girl who doesn’t think she can draw. In 2009, Iowa teacher, Terry (T.J.) Shay, held the very first Dot Day celebration and shared his student’s creations with Reynolds. Shaw is the motivational force behind the launching of this phenomenal day.

According to Reynolds “the theme for this year’s day is creativity, bravery and self-expression.” Singer song-writer Emily Dale collaborated with Reynolds to create the beautiful The Dot Song for educators can use in their classrooms.

In past years teachers and students took International Dot Day to an entirely new level, using SKYPE and other means to connect and partner with teachers and students in all 50 states and globally — virtually connecting the dots with each other around the world. They collaborated on classroom projects and made their marks. This year will bring even greater collaboration.

If you are a teacher or parent who wants to participate, there is still time to enroll your students. There are many ways to celebrate Dot Day. Visit the International Dot Day site for all the information and resources you will need to get started, inspired and connected. Many teachers have already posted requests to partner with other schools. You can also follow International Dot Day on Facebook and Twitter, using #dotday and #makeyourmark and (twitter.com/DotClubConnect.)

Two Libraries One Voice DOT Day Celebration

Creating, Connecting – International Dot Day

Today is International Dot Day, based on Peter H. Reynolds book, The Dot. It will be celebrated all week-long. This year 1,260,227 (increasing daily) children from 82 countries have signed up to participate in this week’s many activities. They will be using their imaginations and creativity to make their marks at home and in classrooms globally.

Like last year, teachers and students will take International Dot Day to an entirely new level, using SKYPE and other means to connect and partner with teachers and students in all 50 states and in 82 other countries — virtually connecting the dots with each other globally and breaking down barriers. Check out the site and Facebook page to see what kids are doing. It is also important to remember the week will overlap with International Day of Peace on September 21. This is a beautiful way for children to celebrate their global village. Learn more about how The Dot traveled into space on the Soyuz rocket last December 2012 with Commander Chris Hadfield, making this a galactic event.

Today, Peter H. Reynolds will spend Dot Dat at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst Massachusetts from noon to 5 p.m. The day’s activities will offer an opportunity to connect and collaborate with Peter. Visitors can help create an original drawing on the main wall at the Museum or join a story session during which Peter will read The Dot. Peter will sign books today.

Not only will children be making their dots, but celebrities have posted their dots on the International Dot Day website. And, many KidLit bloggers are posting their dots. My dot is a picture I took of my daughter looking through a tire.

International Dot Day September 15-ish

September 15 will be the 10th anniversary of Peter H. Reynold’s international bestselling book, The Dot, about a girl who doesn’t think she can draw. Last year more than 850,000 students worldwide signed up to celebrate International Dot Day in their classrooms and individually. The goal this year is to have one million children connecting, creating and making their dot around September 15-ish. It will likely be a week-long event.

Last year teachers and students took the International Dot Day to an entirely new level, using SKYPE and other means to connect and partner with teachers and students in all 50 states and in other countries — virtually connecting the dots with each other around the world. They collaborated on classroom projects and made their marks, something that had never happened before.

“Creativity matters,” says Peter H. Reynolds. “All the dots will connect, one by one. Children will be using their talents and energy to give back to their communities and world. We are showing the world how creativity is important.” Reynolds also noted that last year an entire town celebrated and held a Dot scavenger hunt. The goal is to be creative and think outside of the box.

Peter H. Reynolds will visit the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst Massachusetts on Sep. 15, 2013. The day’s activities will provide an opportunity to connect and collaborate with Peter. Visitors can help create an original drawing on the main wall at the Museum or join a story session during which Peter will read The Dot.

If you’re a teacher and want to participate, there is still time to sign up your students. Visit the International Dot Day site for all the information and resources you will need to get started, inspired and connected. Many teachers have already posted requests to partner with other schools. You can also follow International Dot Day on Facebook and Twitter, using #dotday and #makeyourmark and @DotClubConnect.

I can not share this story without mentioning Iowa teacher, Terry (T.J.) Shaw, who held the first Dot Day on Sept. 15, 2009 and shared his student’s creations with Reynolds. He is the motivational force behind the launching of this special day and remains one of its greatest ambassadors.

Once again, this is a perfect time to issue another challenge to all the KidLit bloggers to make their dots and publish them on their websites September 15-ish. Last year many bloggers participated. You have 21 days to prepare!

The Dot — International Dot Day

The Dot

Peter H. Reynolds, author and illustrator

Candlewick Press, Fiction, Sep. 15, 2003

Suitable for: Ages 5 and up

Themes: Art, Imagination, Self-Confidence, Inspiration

Opening/Synopsis: “Art class was over, but Vashti sat glued to her chair. Her paper was empty. Vashti’s teacher leaned over the blank paper. ‘Ah! A polar bear in a snow storm,’ she said. ‘ ‘Very funny! said Vashti. ‘I just can’t draw!” Her teacher asks Vashti to just make a mark. Vashti angrily gives the paper a jab. She asks Vashti to sign it. One morning Vashti walks into art class and sees her signed “dot” hanging in a frame behind the teacher’s desk. She decides she can make a better dot and begins to paint dots of all colors and sizes.

Why I love this book: Peter Reynolds has written and illustrated an inspirational book that encourages children of all ages to be brave and “make their mark.” There is no right or wrong way. He wants kids of all ages to imagine, dream and create. And this week over 500,000 children in all 50 states and around the globe will be participating in International Dot Day, whether in their classrooms or at home. Many kidlit bloggers will be making their dots this week. My dot is below.

Resources: Create your own dot. Visit http://www.thedotclub.org/dotday/ to learn more about International Dot Day, activity suggestions, resources, a global map showing participants and a peek at the dots being created by celebrities. There also is a Facebook page devoted to International Dot Day with frequent updates. There also is a teacher’s resource guide for Reynold’s The Dot and Ish. Below is the dot I created on my iPad with ArtRage. Check out the dot made by my colleague Beth Stilborn , who also encouraged bloggers to post their dots.

To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.

My Dot