From the award-winning author of "The Dot" comes a gentle tale of a creative free spirit who learns that thinking "ish-ly" is far more wonderful that "getting it right."

Reviews

K-Gr 5-Ramon loves to draw: "Anytime," like the middle of the night; "Anywhere" including on the toilet; and "Anything"-even smelly trash cans. When his older brother laughs at his efforts, he becomes self-conscious and frustrated. Months later he is still haunted by Leon's cruel jeers, ready to give up. Then his little sister Marisol snatches one of his crumpled pictures and runs off to her room. The angry artist chases her but is speechless when he enters her sanctuary-a gallery of his discarded artwork. As she admires her latest acquisition, Ramon confides that it "was supposed to be a vase of flowers, but it doesn't look like one." She ponders the work and maintains that it is "vase-ISH." This new perspective leaves him "light and energized;" his ideas "flow freely" and he draws everything he sees and feels. "His ish art [even] inspired ish writing." And, in the end, he lives "ishfully ever after." This animated version of Peter H. Reynolds's book (Candlewick, 2004) is sure to inspire and empower young artists of all abilities to make their own "ish" drawings and poems. The simple cartoon illustrations, rendered in watercolor, ink, and tea, effectively capture the characters' feelings with humor and sensitivity. Bursts of color and light and cool jazz music reflect Ramon's mood throughout the story. Viewers can also watch the film with subtitles, though the white letters, outlined in pink are somewhat difficult to read. Libraries will want to purchase this delightful offering to support the art curriculum.-Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.