If you haven't heard of International Dot Day, please check it out! It is a day for everyone, especially kids, to make their mark (their dot), and it will be taking place next week. (The 15th, or, since the 15th is on a Sunday, schools will probably be participating on the 13th or 16th.)
The day was inspired by author/illustrator, Peter Reynold's book, The Dot, which, I'd venture to guess, is found in most American public libraries and many of you have already read.
Somehow, I heard about the Celebri-dots blog (if I had to guess, I'd say it was a friend's post on Facebook). On the blog "...authors, illustrators, and celebrities who share in the dream of a more creative world" share a dot that is a personal expression. I spent some time on the blog and thought to myself, "I'm not a celebrity, but I have published some picture books, and I definitely would like to spread the "more creative world" message far and wide. And, I love a challenge! So...I created my own dot and submitted it. It was accepted and appeared yesterday!
I have hundreds of photos of my cats, especially Skippy. She is more photogenic than Smudge who always manages to close her eyes when the camera snaps. I enhanced the eyes and I experimented until I found a small dot that actually looked like a laser pointer dot. And, of course, I made the whole thing round! Read the post to learn more about the haiga.
I want to leave you with this joyous video, "O Ponto/The Dot," created by school kids in Portugal. I love the end where hands and faces come out of the giant painted dot!
Also, check out an iPad digital dot gallery here.
Laura at Author Amok is the hostess with the mostess this Poetry Friday!
Go out and make your mark on the world, and spread the message!
Hi, Diane. I hadn't heard of this "holiday." One memory I have of my grandfather, who died quite young, is a 70s era picture book called "The Dot and the Line." The line is the hero in this story, and the dot is his lady-love.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to have a memory involving a book! Thanks for sharing it. I looked it up is this it?: The dot and the line; a romance in lower mathematics, by Norman Juster, published in 1963! It has also been re-released on at least 2 occasions.
ReplyDeleteVery cool - and I loved the video of children excitedly creating so many variations.
ReplyDeleteYes, me, too!
DeleteHow fun! And hey, you're celebrity enough for me. Keep chasing that laser pointer and the dream of a more creative world! :)
ReplyDeleteWill, do, Michelle!
ReplyDeleteDiane - I hadn't heard of Int'l. Dot Day before. How interesting. Love your haiga!
ReplyDeleteThanks, BJ!
DeleteAnother fun "thing to do!" I'm going to stick with International Peace Day, but just gotta say how much I love your haiga, and CONGRATS on getting your dot(s) out there into the world!!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely stick with IPD! We need it badly. Now.
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