Saturday, March 3, 2012

Day 3 of 31 Slices

Find out more about the Slice of Life Challenge here!

Have you read Ish, by Peter H. Reynolds? It is a sweet, sweet book about Ramon, a boy who loved to draw.  He drew and drew and drew with abandon, until his brother made fun of him. 

Deflated, he quit drawing until his little sister, who happened to be his biggest fan, convinced him that his crumpled drawings were worthy of being put up in her makeshift gallery.  She said his vase was absolutely fine; it was "vase-ish." This innocent statement unlocked his confidence once again.  He began to draw again, with the permission to give it his best shot-- to live and draw "ishfully."

Ish contains a few simple reminders about life:

Be kind.
Embrace imperfection.
Choose your words carefully.
Be on the lookout for the joy.

Hope you have an ishful weekend!

7 comments:

  1. I was going to "just" post and go on about my day when I read your title. Your summary of the book is wonderful and the simple reminders for a better world are profound. I teach college students working to earn a degree in education. One class I teach is one that they must struggle with their ideas of teaching and the study of the methods and strategies to help them teach well (and engage their learners). Each semester I always read ISH to them. I want them to embrace the discovery of what they are learning and doing. I want them to see the ishness in them and around them. I want them to experience joy in finding their way to becoming a teacher and realize that learning many times is looking at the ishness and embracing it. Today is the beginning of an ishful weekend for me...I think my work week will be more ishful too!

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  2. Thank you for this. On Thurs. I was looking in our school library's picture book section and found those 3 latest Peter Reynolds books, including Ish. I hadn't read it, but sat down on the floor and read them all. I imagine that teachers could use this in so many ways. Thank you for reminding me what a sweet book it is to help start a conversation. And thank you for the wish, hope you have one too!

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  3. Ish is one of my top ten favorite books, but do you know The Dot? (another perfect book from Peter Reynolds. Not to brag, but mine is signed! Okay, I was bragging, just a little.)
    I love the reminders of life you have listed. Oh, I just reread, should I erase my bragging? Naw, I don't think so, you'll understand, won't you?

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  4. Lisa3.3.12

    I LOVE this book and love to share it with my students. It's such a great reminder that perfection isn't everything, but doing our best is =)

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  5. I love this book! I read this book to my first graders and they also love it. Wonderful message.

    First Grade Delight
    imgoingfirst@gmail.com

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  6. It is such a simple book with an amazing, powerful message. II need to buy it right now!

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  7. Being "ishful" sounds wonderful - and encompasses so much. I'm gonna try...

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