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Creatrilogy
Ish
A creative spirit learns that thinking “ish-ly” is far more wonderful than “getting it right” in this gentle fable from the creator of the award-winning picture book The Dot .
Ramon loved to draw. Anytime. Anything. Anywhere.
Drawing is what Ramon does. It's 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.
Ramon loved to draw. Anytime. Anything. Anywhere.
Drawing is what Ramon does. It's 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.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published August 19, 2004
About the author
Peter H. Reynolds
202 books870 followersPeter Hamilton Reynolds is an author and illustrator of children's books and is the co-Founder and CEO of educational media company FableVision.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,251 reviews
May 9, 2018
A picture book for all ages about living life "ish-ly". We all know about the kind of thinking that insists that kids draw "within the lines" or follow precisely the given outline or form in their writing. This is a standardized school/home approach that can do great damage to some kids.
In this book Ramon draws all the time; one day his older brother laughs at his drawing of a vase: "what's that supposed to be?!" and Ramon crumples up all his drawings, feeling failure. But his sister collects them and posts them on her bedroom walls. Ramon asks, "why are you doing this? I can't even draw a vase!"
They look at the "failed" vase drawing in question. She says it is her favorite one. She says it looks "vase-ish," and he eventually gets this, and draws, writes, and seems to begin to lives his life in this way. A kind of parable I liked a lot. Be yourself, follow your own kind of music! About art and representation, too, for humanities considerations.
In this book Ramon draws all the time; one day his older brother laughs at his drawing of a vase: "what's that supposed to be?!" and Ramon crumples up all his drawings, feeling failure. But his sister collects them and posts them on her bedroom walls. Ramon asks, "why are you doing this? I can't even draw a vase!"
They look at the "failed" vase drawing in question. She says it is her favorite one. She says it looks "vase-ish," and he eventually gets this, and draws, writes, and seems to begin to lives his life in this way. A kind of parable I liked a lot. Be yourself, follow your own kind of music! About art and representation, too, for humanities considerations.
April 28, 2016
I love everything about this story. I love the illustrations and the message. I love the hand lettered text and the teaching moments within the story: one unkind comment can have a long reaching effect, all art is beautiful, everyone sees things differently, and there is no perfect. I love the wise little sister and the sweetness of her contribution to the story. But mostly I love that my children continue to check this book out of the library again and again, one with many important messages for all of us.
December 27, 2014
While this book is nominally for kids, I can think of a lot of adults who could benefit from reading this. It's a great discussion of creativity.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
March 14, 2018
Creativity at its pinnacle!
Little Ramon likes to draw a lot but when his elder brother makes fun of his drawing, he looses his confidence. Her sister is watching all of it and guess what! She inspires him to draw again.
This time, Ramon draws tree-ish, fish-ish, sun-ish, peace-ish, poem-ish and much more.
Highly recommended.
Little Ramon likes to draw a lot but when his elder brother makes fun of his drawing, he looses his confidence. Her sister is watching all of it and guess what! She inspires him to draw again.
This time, Ramon draws tree-ish, fish-ish, sun-ish, peace-ish, poem-ish and much more.
Highly recommended.
November 16, 2009
Oh, I am a sucker for books that combine children and art: books about children who are artists, art books for children, etc. etc. This is an excellent book, even for readers who don’t share my passion for kids/art books.
This book has a lovely message about how what we say to young artists (writers, etc.) about their work can make such a difference. It really resonated with me how the story showed that having one’s art criticized can lead one to give up making it, and having one’s art valued can make one truly appreciate one’s own work. I actually thought that this book was going to be about a boy named Ish. Nope; his name is Ramon, and he’s a boy who loves to draw and finds great joy in making his drawings. But I ended up really loving the “ish” message, about what is art anyway! This book is about a young artist, but it celebrates creativity in all forms.
This book has a lovely message about how what we say to young artists (writers, etc.) about their work can make such a difference. It really resonated with me how the story showed that having one’s art criticized can lead one to give up making it, and having one’s art valued can make one truly appreciate one’s own work. I actually thought that this book was going to be about a boy named Ish. Nope; his name is Ramon, and he’s a boy who loves to draw and finds great joy in making his drawings. But I ended up really loving the “ish” message, about what is art anyway! This book is about a young artist, but it celebrates creativity in all forms.
April 5, 2013
How we feel can be captured in so many ways with color, scribbles, pictures, and art-ish ways. Get it out. Put it out there in the world! Ish inspires readers and artists of all ages to keep drawing, writing, and capturing the world with art.
"He began to draw what he felt—
Loose lines.
Quickly springing out. Without worry”
Ramon loves to draw. Draw, draw, and draw. But one day a teasing laugh, point, and criticism dashes his creative flow and confidence. Ramon soon discovers that life is filled with criticism AND support though. Not everyone will understand or feel our art and words the same way, but we must hold tight to our voices and inspiration. The world would be really boring if we all liked the same things. :) But maaaan…is that a hard lesson to learn and teach.
Mr. Reynolds urges readers on with such warmth and love. I savored every page! Hold on to your unique creative voice and style! Be you! As long as it makes you happy--keep drawing, painting, and writing no matter what “They” say.
A pure joy to read.
p.s. My brothers and sisters stole all the artistic talent in the family gene pool. I am a proud scribbler though. Scribbles, dashes, curls of color and texture seem to capture my moods perfectly!
November 12, 2009
I was truly touched by this book--probably because I can empathize with our hero's artistic soul! Ramon draws with a carefree, passionate spirit--until his brother makes fun of one of his drawings, saying it looks nothing like the vase Ramon was sketching. Crushed, Ramon seems to lose his muse, and begins crumpling up his future artistic endeavors. But one day he realizes there is someone who truly enjoys his work--she says that even if the drawing doesn't look like a perfect vase, it looks "vase-ish" and this opens the floodgates of artistic freedom for Ramon once more, spilling over into all his "-ish" drawings and poetry-ish writings. A great message for any young artist (of any medium) and would also make a great springboard for discussion of famous non-realist artists whose work is extremely "ish"-ish! ;-)
March 25, 2018
دستِ کم دو ترجمه از این کتاب وجود دارد:
یه چیزی شبیهِ...
از انتشارات نسل نواندیش
و
اِی... همچین
از انتشارات شهرتاش
من اوّلی را سال 1389 خواندم و این یکی را امسال
از بهترین کتاب هایی که می شود به کودکی هدیه داد
و از حسرت های من این که چرا در نُه یا ده سالگی ام این را نخواندم
در آن صورت شاید جور دیگری زندگی می کردم
یک جورِ "اِی همچینی" ای
که حتماً بهترتر از این توّهم جست و جوی کامل بودن بود...
یه چیزی شبیهِ...
از انتشارات نسل نواندیش
و
اِی... همچین
از انتشارات شهرتاش
من اوّلی را سال 1389 خواندم و این یکی را امسال
از بهترین کتاب هایی که می شود به کودکی هدیه داد
و از حسرت های من این که چرا در نُه یا ده سالگی ام این را نخواندم
در آن صورت شاید جور دیگری زندگی می کردم
یک جورِ "اِی همچینی" ای
که حتماً بهترتر از این توّهم جست و جوی کامل بودن بود...
November 12, 2019
I think kids (and adults alike) have had their creativity squashed by a remark made by someone else. This book teaches you it is okay if your art is not perfect--just to keep drawing, painting, writing, creating and let that creativity flourish and change and grow.
December 1, 2020
Another book in the Creatrilogy, Ish is the story of Ramon and his quest for perfection. I read
The Dot
in 2019 and really enjoyed it. Ish is similar in its themes and has a lovely message.
Ramon loves to draw. He draws all the time (perhaps even in places where he shouldn't). One day, he's trying to draw a vase of flowers when his older brother laughs. Ramon loses his confidence and spends the next few months trying to get that vase drawing absolutely perfect. When he can't, he gives up. But then he realizes his little sister's been keeping all his reject drawings, placing a value on them that Ramon didn't even know they had. Sometimes perfection isn't necessary. Sometimes, making something "ish" is all you really need to do.
If you enjoyed The Dot, you'll probably like this story, too. I need to see if I can find Sky Color to complete reading the trilogy.
Quotable moment:
Ramon loves to draw. He draws all the time (perhaps even in places where he shouldn't). One day, he's trying to draw a vase of flowers when his older brother laughs. Ramon loses his confidence and spends the next few months trying to get that vase drawing absolutely perfect. When he can't, he gives up. But then he realizes his little sister's been keeping all his reject drawings, placing a value on them that Ramon didn't even know they had. Sometimes perfection isn't necessary. Sometimes, making something "ish" is all you really need to do.
If you enjoyed The Dot, you'll probably like this story, too. I need to see if I can find Sky Color to complete reading the trilogy.
Quotable moment:
February 2, 2020
A charming little book. It starts about the relationships between siblings. Ultimately, it becomes a story about valuing one’s own creative output. It manages to also touch upon the neee to realizing that different people value things differently based on their relationships to those things and their personal taste.
A street little book with a nice, complex yet easily digestible message to teach.
A street little book with a nice, complex yet easily digestible message to teach.
June 24, 2010
I absolutely love the idea of this story and the execution! What a wonderful way to inspire children (and adults!) to simply indulge whatever creative outlet you want, no matter what it "looks" like. Does it feel right? Are you enjoying the creative process?
I thought the illustrations fit the text perfectly, and that the text was simple but got across plenty of information and expression - the beauty is in the simplicity.
I docked one star simply because the sibling relationships were, at times, a tad too typical for me. The younger sister's insights are priceless, but the initial interactions between the siblings were, I felt, a draw back (this said, I know I'm lucky that I have a fantastic relationship with my sister, so perhaps I'm simply spoiled, but, you know...)
Anyway, for a story about creativity and freedom of expression this is tops! Highly recommended!!
ETA: I thought I should highlight Mr. Reynolds comment to this review, since he explains the sibling relationship. Thanks, Mr. Reynolds, for caring about your work so much!!
Peter H. Reynolds said: "Many thanks for your kind words about "Ish." I appreciate your comments about Ramon and Marisol's relationship. "Typical" I translate as "universal" - in the sense that we all can understand the possibility of a younger sister looking up to her brother - and the fact that a boy at that age may be going through issues - figuring out who he is - and be a bit of a blunder-head when dealing with the feelings of others. I grew up in a family of seven - and while we all loved each other, we had plenty of sparks flying.
Your overall thumbs up on the "mission" of the story made me very happy. Thanks for helping share that mission with others!"
I thought the illustrations fit the text perfectly, and that the text was simple but got across plenty of information and expression - the beauty is in the simplicity.
I docked one star simply because the sibling relationships were, at times, a tad too typical for me. The younger sister's insights are priceless, but the initial interactions between the siblings were, I felt, a draw back (this said, I know I'm lucky that I have a fantastic relationship with my sister, so perhaps I'm simply spoiled, but, you know...)
Anyway, for a story about creativity and freedom of expression this is tops! Highly recommended!!
ETA: I thought I should highlight Mr. Reynolds comment to this review, since he explains the sibling relationship. Thanks, Mr. Reynolds, for caring about your work so much!!
Peter H. Reynolds said: "Many thanks for your kind words about "Ish." I appreciate your comments about Ramon and Marisol's relationship. "Typical" I translate as "universal" - in the sense that we all can understand the possibility of a younger sister looking up to her brother - and the fact that a boy at that age may be going through issues - figuring out who he is - and be a bit of a blunder-head when dealing with the feelings of others. I grew up in a family of seven - and while we all loved each other, we had plenty of sparks flying.
Your overall thumbs up on the "mission" of the story made me very happy. Thanks for helping share that mission with others!"
February 14, 2014
من قال أن قصص الأطفال هي للأطفال فحسب؟
...
"He began to draw what he felt—
Loose lines.
Quickly springing out. Without worry"
...
ريمون الصغير المولع بالرسم، يُصاب بخيبة أمل كبيرة عندما يقوم أخوه الكبير بإلقاء ملحوظة ساخرة أثناء رسمه لمزهرية، فيعيد المحاولة عشرات المرات، وفي كل مرة لا تعجبه المحاولة فيكرمش الرسمة في ضيق ويلقي بها بعيداً
تأتي أخته الصغرى لتأخذ إحدى الرسومات المكرمشة، فيلحق بها إلى غرفتها غاضباً لتطالعه مفاجأة سارة، ويقف متسمراً
يسوق الكاتب ببساطة مدهشة كيف يمكن لكلمة أن تشكك المرء في قدراته وأن تنغص عليه حياته فلا تعود الأشياء التي أحبها إلى ما كانت عليه قبلاً.
وفي الوقت ذاته كيف أن تقديراً بسيطاً لما يفعل يمكن أن يعيده إلى نفسه، ينبهه إلى أن تعبيره عما يحب بأسلوبه الخاص الذي يفضله لا يستلزم أن ينال رضي الجميع، يكفيه أن يكون مستمتعاً بما يفعل، ومقتنعاً به.
أما الرسومات والألوان المستخدمة فهي معبرة جداً وخلابة
...
لن تأخذ من وقتك الكثير، فقط خمس دقائق منعشة
...
"He began to draw what he felt—
Loose lines.
Quickly springing out. Without worry"
...
ريمون الصغير المولع بالرسم، يُصاب بخيبة أمل كبيرة عندما يقوم أخوه الكبير بإلقاء ملحوظة ساخرة أثناء رسمه لمزهرية، فيعيد المحاولة عشرات المرات، وفي كل مرة لا تعجبه المحاولة فيكرمش الرسمة في ضيق ويلقي بها بعيداً
تأتي أخته الصغرى لتأخذ إحدى الرسومات المكرمشة، فيلحق بها إلى غرفتها غاضباً لتطالعه مفاجأة سارة، ويقف متسمراً
يسوق الكاتب ببساطة مدهشة كيف يمكن لكلمة أن تشكك المرء في قدراته وأن تنغص عليه حياته فلا تعود الأشياء التي أحبها إلى ما كانت عليه قبلاً.
وفي الوقت ذاته كيف أن تقديراً بسيطاً لما يفعل يمكن أن يعيده إلى نفسه، ينبهه إلى أن تعبيره عما يحب بأسلوبه الخاص الذي يفضله لا يستلزم أن ينال رضي الجميع، يكفيه أن يكون مستمتعاً بما يفعل، ومقتنعاً به.
أما الرسومات والألوان المستخدمة فهي معبرة جداً وخلابة
...
لن تأخذ من وقتك الكثير، فقط خمس دقائق منعشة
October 11, 2018
I so much like this book because it was the first read ever recommended by my 6yo daughter. She read "Dot" at school and, when we bought it, she told me the author had another very good book, Ish, I should read. We have it at home now.
The story is similar to Dot, or the other way around, as Ish predates Dot. Still, tt drives the message of fostering creativity and that art doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be ours. Great book.
The story is similar to Dot, or the other way around, as Ish predates Dot. Still, tt drives the message of fostering creativity and that art doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be ours. Great book.
April 15, 2008
Great story about a non-artist and how he learns to cope with it. Must read for all who wish they were more artistic.
May 22, 2016
The most inspiring book ever !!
January 3, 2019
A reminder that perfection is rarely the goal and that art is subjective
November 1, 2020
عنوان ترجمه فارسی:نقاشی های مچاله
در دسته 5 کتاب کودک برتر مورد علاقه م قرار گرفت :)))
در دسته 5 کتاب کودک برتر مورد علاقه م قرار گرفت :)))
November 9, 2022
Even my reader name has an Ish in it so no doubt this little guy could be easily me when I was a kid sketching and drawing until her parents discouraged her to do so. Ish you lucky boy.
March 19, 2021
Have you ever had your dreams crushed? Well, this is a story about a situation like that. Ramon loves to draw and he draws everywhere...literally everywhere :)
Until one day his older says that what Ramon is drawing is not good...Heartbreaking moment, when Ramon starts to doubt his craft, his drawing, his energy, his fantasy, his life and his everything... He draws more and more and more but nothing is good enough..till his little sister shows him what his art is meaning to her.
Rest is the simple life of ish :)
Nice and simple drawings with a strong story behind them. For anyone who has siblings, parents, friends, acquaintances or at least someone else around... these situations happened and we need to know how to navigate through them.
First sentence: Ramon loved to draw.
Last sentence: And Ramon lived ishfully ever after.
Goodreads Challenge 2021: 16. kniha
Until one day his older says that what Ramon is drawing is not good...Heartbreaking moment, when Ramon starts to doubt his craft, his drawing, his energy, his fantasy, his life and his everything... He draws more and more and more but nothing is good enough..till his little sister shows him what his art is meaning to her.
Rest is the simple life of ish :)
Nice and simple drawings with a strong story behind them. For anyone who has siblings, parents, friends, acquaintances or at least someone else around... these situations happened and we need to know how to navigate through them.
First sentence: Ramon loved to draw.
Last sentence: And Ramon lived ishfully ever after.
Goodreads Challenge 2021: 16. kniha
March 3, 2010
5 stars are never enough for such an amazing book!!
How brillliant!!
It's the PEACE when we all live "ishfully" ever after
loved it!!
U should all read it
Thanx Mrs.Amal 4recommending the book(:
How brillliant!!
It's the PEACE when we all live "ishfully" ever after
loved it!!
U should all read it
Thanx Mrs.Amal 4recommending the book(:
December 25, 2017
Beautiful message behind this book. Gift it to yourself when you are in self doubt, gift it to the adults in your life who think they’ll never be good enough and to the little ones in your life who are figuring out what they like.
November 10, 2020
PonderI put my faith in a boy who is an artist-ish.
Pond ponder
Dream Yonder
Pond Pond
Yond Yond
Gleam Wander
-Ramon
Great moral story, great illustration, hillarious, I think I'm a fan of Peter H. Reynolds!
October 14, 2020
I really like the message & the art is charming. I just wish a larger font was used so kids could better try to follow the words along, to begin recognizing letters/words.
September 10, 2020
Okay but the brother and younger sister are so cute
March 9, 2012
When this book turned up on our new book shelf, I thought "Now why did I order this 2004 book?" Then when I read it I remembered why I ordered it for the Curriculum Library. It rates 4.4 stars from Goodreads, which is just about right. When Ramon's brother makes fun of his big passion, his art work, Ramon is deflated and discouraged, discarding every single drawing because it is not completely realistic. Then big sister Marisol shares a secret with him--she has been uncrumpling his drawings and pinning them up in her bedroom. (This was before Pinterest.) His drawing of a vase may not look exactly like a vase, she says, but it is vase-ish, she tells him. His passion for drawing is rejuvenated, and his creativity and ingenuity are unimpeded. This is such a good book for talking about the creative spirit, even in contexts other than drawing and painting, with young children, for whom that idea is understandably an abstract concept. But it is also a good book for illustrating the importance of support and friendship among siblings, and how devastating how destructive a careless or unkind remark can be. The simple but evocative illustrations are watercolor, ink and tea! I love it! Terrific book to use with primary age children. The Lexile measure is 440, exactly the same as The Magic Paintbrush by Lawrence Yep.
December 25, 2016
The story was enjoyable with good messages, explaining that perfection isn't the goal and that things can be beautiful for some people and not for others. The focus on art was nice and I liked the illustrations with the water colors. Marisol and Ramon were likable characters and I think it's a good picture book for not gentle siblings.
April 7, 2008
This book is really cute. Alexis loved it. It is short and sweet about a boy who draws pictures but they don't really look like what he wants them too. They look...ish. Its a lovely idea and a great message to kids about how not everybody sees things in the same way.
August 15, 2013
I absolutely love this story as it encourages the reader to allow his/her creative self to naturally manifest. This book would be a wonderful teaching tool for any type of art class. A must-have for a child's library.
Read
June 27, 2015I like how this book teaches children to not be so critical of their work. It's the process not the product that counts. This story remind me of the saying "One man's junk is another man's treasure" because his younger sister loved the pictures! It also teaches what an "ish" means.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,251 reviews