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Dotty
It's Ida's first day of school. She carries her new lunch box and a long, blue string with her special friend Dotty attached to it. A big, colorfully spotted pal with horns, Dotty just happens to be invisible. On that first day of school, Ida and Dotty find out there are plenty of other imaginary friends in attendance. But as the year passes and fewer and fewer imaginary friends come to class, Ida begins to wonder if Dotty is welcome at school anymore . . .
Perceptive and warmly funny, with charming art from exciting illustrator Julia Denos, Dotty is a celebration of the power of friendship and imagination.
Perceptive and warmly funny, with charming art from exciting illustrator Julia Denos, Dotty is a celebration of the power of friendship and imagination.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2010
3 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
Erica S. Perl
56 books112 followersErica S. Perl is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 40 popular and critically acclaimed books for young readers. She won the National Jewish Book Award and a Sydney Taylor Silver Medal for her middle grade novel, ALL THREE STOOGES. She is also the author of many well-loved picture books, including THE NINTH NIGHT OF HANUKKAH and GOATILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS, as well as several book serieses (including the TRUTH OR LIE nonfiction series). She is the co-author, with Dolly Parton, of the BILLY THE KID picture book series. She is also the co-author, with R.J. Palacio, of WHITE BIRD: A NOVEL. A crowd-pleasing presenter, Erica is available for school visits, bookstore, and library events. Follow her @ericaperl on social media and visit her website to connect with her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
April 28, 2020
I like this book
October 8, 2010
Seems to me that picture books get split into very particular genres pretty quickly. I actually keep lists of them on my computer at work, depending on how many requests I receive. There are the Bully picture books. The Dinosaur picture books. The People in Our Community picture books. And then there are two genres that sometimes get split up and sometimes merge together. These would be the Invisible Friend picture books and the Starting School picture books. Now you'll see a fair amount of bringing your blankie to school picture books out there (Owen being the best example). And you'll see more than a few anxiety-ridden titles. Imaginary friends at school books are rarer, though you do see them occasionally (the Kevin Henkes title Jessica comes immediately to mind). Now with Dotty we've a title that takes two different ideas, combines them, and comes up with a way of showing that putting away childish things is a selective process.
On the first day of school Ida takes care to bring with her a new lunchbox, a pair of striped leggings, and her imaginary friend Dotty. Dotty resembles nothing so much as a benign combination of cow and toadstool. At school, Ida discovers that many of her classmates have similar companions. There are Max's twin sea serpents, Benny's razor-toothed R.O.U.S., and Katya's doodle-brought-to-life Keekoo. As the school year progresses, however, Ida discovers that more and more of her schoolmates have stopped bringing their friends to class. By the time spring comes around Ida is on the receiving end of the now worldly Katya's teasing and she reacts angrily. The two girls write "apology" notes, and then Ida has a discussion with her teacher Ms. Raymond. After promising that she'll explain to Dotty that pushing people is inappropriate, Ida spots a red leash belonging to her teacher, not dissimilar at all from Dotty's leash. It may well be that special friends are the kinds you keep with you always.
Essentially, in this book you're looking at the changes a kid goes through in the course of a single year of school. With that in mind, Perl's choices are pretty interesting. For example, Ida's friend Katya begins the book with a tiny imaginary friend that swings on her braids. Later she gets a haircut and keeps the creature in her pocket secretly. That haircut sort of marks a rite of passage for Katya. The growing out of imaginary friends is shown in different ways. I would have liked some clarification on what grade Ida was in, of course. This seems to be her first day of school ever, which would mean that this is Kindergarten. Still, these kids look older than Kindergarteners, and the pseudo-apologetic notes written near the end are more 1st or 2nd grade material.
Take note that the illustrations by Denos look patently simple but have details that the five-year-old inside of me appreciated. I liked that two out of three of Ida's lunchboxes featured images that are not always associated with girls in books (a dinosaur and outer space). In fact, you'll find that the image of Ida waking up on the title page shows drawn pictures of a dino on the wall and a toy dino and space rabbit (the third lunchbox displays a rabbit) sitting on the windowsill. I liked that Gert, Ms. Raymond's own invisible friend, actually appears early in the book in two scenes, hiding. I liked that Ms. Raymond's neck scarf matches Gert's furry coat, and that Ida is usually seen wearing dots or big round buttons to match Dotty. The publication page's explanation of the Denos technique is amusing, saying that "The illustrations in this book were made with brush ink and a bit of Photoshop here and there." Love that "a bit". An interesting choice of words.
The text was choice. At no point, I should note, are the words "imaginary friend" uttered in the course of the story. The story takes the creatures that come to the school for granted. I found myself wondering at what point the child readers would understand that Dotty was an imaginary friend. Later, would they recognize that Dotty hitting Katya was actually Ida hitting Katya? This may be giving kids too little credit, of course. It's entirely plausible that a kid reading this book is going to recognize that the reality of the situation (i.e. children bringing strange creatures to school) doesn't work and that therefore these must be imaginary friends. Still and all, I'd love to take a poll to see how many parents reading this book to their kids, stop and say clearly, "Now this is a book about an IMAGINARY FRIEND" for the "benefit" of their children's understanding versus those who just let the text stand for itself.
To a certain extent this book reminded me of Yellowbelly and Plum Go to School by Nathan Hale. The obvious difference, of course, is that while the monsters in this book are figments of the children's imaginations, in Yellowbelly they're all too real. The pairing of Perl and Denos comes off as particularly strong here. One can hope that they'll be put together on similar books in the future. Particularly if those books have the same mix of sweetness and wisdom as you'll find in the beloved Dotty. A charmer of a book.
For ages 4-8.
On the first day of school Ida takes care to bring with her a new lunchbox, a pair of striped leggings, and her imaginary friend Dotty. Dotty resembles nothing so much as a benign combination of cow and toadstool. At school, Ida discovers that many of her classmates have similar companions. There are Max's twin sea serpents, Benny's razor-toothed R.O.U.S., and Katya's doodle-brought-to-life Keekoo. As the school year progresses, however, Ida discovers that more and more of her schoolmates have stopped bringing their friends to class. By the time spring comes around Ida is on the receiving end of the now worldly Katya's teasing and she reacts angrily. The two girls write "apology" notes, and then Ida has a discussion with her teacher Ms. Raymond. After promising that she'll explain to Dotty that pushing people is inappropriate, Ida spots a red leash belonging to her teacher, not dissimilar at all from Dotty's leash. It may well be that special friends are the kinds you keep with you always.
Essentially, in this book you're looking at the changes a kid goes through in the course of a single year of school. With that in mind, Perl's choices are pretty interesting. For example, Ida's friend Katya begins the book with a tiny imaginary friend that swings on her braids. Later she gets a haircut and keeps the creature in her pocket secretly. That haircut sort of marks a rite of passage for Katya. The growing out of imaginary friends is shown in different ways. I would have liked some clarification on what grade Ida was in, of course. This seems to be her first day of school ever, which would mean that this is Kindergarten. Still, these kids look older than Kindergarteners, and the pseudo-apologetic notes written near the end are more 1st or 2nd grade material.
Take note that the illustrations by Denos look patently simple but have details that the five-year-old inside of me appreciated. I liked that two out of three of Ida's lunchboxes featured images that are not always associated with girls in books (a dinosaur and outer space). In fact, you'll find that the image of Ida waking up on the title page shows drawn pictures of a dino on the wall and a toy dino and space rabbit (the third lunchbox displays a rabbit) sitting on the windowsill. I liked that Gert, Ms. Raymond's own invisible friend, actually appears early in the book in two scenes, hiding. I liked that Ms. Raymond's neck scarf matches Gert's furry coat, and that Ida is usually seen wearing dots or big round buttons to match Dotty. The publication page's explanation of the Denos technique is amusing, saying that "The illustrations in this book were made with brush ink and a bit of Photoshop here and there." Love that "a bit". An interesting choice of words.
The text was choice. At no point, I should note, are the words "imaginary friend" uttered in the course of the story. The story takes the creatures that come to the school for granted. I found myself wondering at what point the child readers would understand that Dotty was an imaginary friend. Later, would they recognize that Dotty hitting Katya was actually Ida hitting Katya? This may be giving kids too little credit, of course. It's entirely plausible that a kid reading this book is going to recognize that the reality of the situation (i.e. children bringing strange creatures to school) doesn't work and that therefore these must be imaginary friends. Still and all, I'd love to take a poll to see how many parents reading this book to their kids, stop and say clearly, "Now this is a book about an IMAGINARY FRIEND" for the "benefit" of their children's understanding versus those who just let the text stand for itself.
To a certain extent this book reminded me of Yellowbelly and Plum Go to School by Nathan Hale. The obvious difference, of course, is that while the monsters in this book are figments of the children's imaginations, in Yellowbelly they're all too real. The pairing of Perl and Denos comes off as particularly strong here. One can hope that they'll be put together on similar books in the future. Particularly if those books have the same mix of sweetness and wisdom as you'll find in the beloved Dotty. A charmer of a book.
For ages 4-8.
May 8, 2018
The idea of imaginary friends was nice but the story itself was pretty boring.
September 22, 2010
I clearly remember one of my daughters talking about her imaginary friend, Juan. She was very matter of fact about Juan, and very certain about it. She was about 2 or 3, in her first year of preschool when friendships were just developing.
Do you remember that stage, when children start playing with their friends, not just side by side? But fast forward to kindergarten - how do all these imaginary friends make that transition? How can we make space for our children's imagination as they enter the big world of elementary school? I loved the book, Dotty, for all the ways it explores those issues - in a warm, lovely way.
When Ida goes to a new school, Dotty comes with her. She would never think of leaving her behind. Dotty is Ida's very large, red spotted imaginary friend.
"At morning meeting Ms. Raymond counted noses. Ten, eleven twelve. Ida frowned. She patted Dotty reassuringly. Thirteen, she silently added. "
Ida's classroom is actually quite full of imaginary friends of all sizes and shapes. But soon, other kids start leaving their imaginary friends at home and Ida is teased for bringing Dotty with her. After a fight with another student, Ida learns that even grown-ups sometimes bring their special imaginary friends along, and that her teacher has a secret to share as well.
Ida's teacher, Ms. Raymond, is just the teacher you'd love to have. She's stylish, understanding and caring. The moment when she reveals her own imaginary friend was a wonderful moment. I loved learning at The Happy Nappy Bookseller's blog that Erica Perl and Julia Denos both wanted to portray a diverse classroom. Ms. Raymond, an African American teacher, is a great part of that.
Best of all, this book celebrates children's imagination and their friendships in all flavors. Ida is a wonderful character, one you'll enjoy sharing with your children. It reminds me of one of my favorite friendship books: The Apple Doll, by Elisa Kleven.
Do you remember that stage, when children start playing with their friends, not just side by side? But fast forward to kindergarten - how do all these imaginary friends make that transition? How can we make space for our children's imagination as they enter the big world of elementary school? I loved the book, Dotty, for all the ways it explores those issues - in a warm, lovely way.
When Ida goes to a new school, Dotty comes with her. She would never think of leaving her behind. Dotty is Ida's very large, red spotted imaginary friend.
"At morning meeting Ms. Raymond counted noses. Ten, eleven twelve. Ida frowned. She patted Dotty reassuringly. Thirteen, she silently added. "
Ida's classroom is actually quite full of imaginary friends of all sizes and shapes. But soon, other kids start leaving their imaginary friends at home and Ida is teased for bringing Dotty with her. After a fight with another student, Ida learns that even grown-ups sometimes bring their special imaginary friends along, and that her teacher has a secret to share as well.
Ida's teacher, Ms. Raymond, is just the teacher you'd love to have. She's stylish, understanding and caring. The moment when she reveals her own imaginary friend was a wonderful moment. I loved learning at The Happy Nappy Bookseller's blog that Erica Perl and Julia Denos both wanted to portray a diverse classroom. Ms. Raymond, an African American teacher, is a great part of that.
Best of all, this book celebrates children's imagination and their friendships in all flavors. Ida is a wonderful character, one you'll enjoy sharing with your children. It reminds me of one of my favorite friendship books: The Apple Doll, by Elisa Kleven.
October 21, 2010
Wherever Ida goes, Dotty goes too. Even on her first day of school, Dotty comes along: huge, horned and covered in red spots. Once Ida is at school, she realizes that many of the others in her class have brought their own imaginary friends too. But as the year goes on, the other children start to leave their imaginary friends behind. Ida though is still connected to Dotty, still carrying the blue string that ties them together. Eventually, the other children tease Ida about Dotty, even the children who had imaginary friends of their own just a few months ago. When Ida reacts angrily and Dotty bashes into a girl who was once Ida’s friend, they have to write apologies to each other. Ida’s teacher finds out about Dotty and turns out to be a kindred spirit, just what Ida needed.
This is a book that really embraces imaginary friends, tying it winningly with the first day of school and growing older. Best of all is the ending of the book which took a turn that I had not been expecting. It is a book that honors imagination and creativity, embracing being different and maturing at your own pace or just not maturing entirely at all. Perl’s writing is charming and warm, really creating a world filled with imaginary creatures that dwindle away slowly. Denos’ art is equally successful with a modern edge and children who are modern and yet not slick. They look like the children I see every day. She also has a great mix of ethnicities that is done effortlessly.
While this is a book about imaginary friends, I would also include it in any return-to-school unit because it addresses the larger issues of people being different in ways that are not immediately apparent. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
This is a book that really embraces imaginary friends, tying it winningly with the first day of school and growing older. Best of all is the ending of the book which took a turn that I had not been expecting. It is a book that honors imagination and creativity, embracing being different and maturing at your own pace or just not maturing entirely at all. Perl’s writing is charming and warm, really creating a world filled with imaginary creatures that dwindle away slowly. Denos’ art is equally successful with a modern edge and children who are modern and yet not slick. They look like the children I see every day. She also has a great mix of ethnicities that is done effortlessly.
While this is a book about imaginary friends, I would also include it in any return-to-school unit because it addresses the larger issues of people being different in ways that are not immediately apparent. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
January 19, 2011
Ida brings her imaginary friend/pet Dotty to school, where they meet her new classmates as well as their imaginary friends/pets. Everyone has something a little different, and occasionally they act up/out or misbehave and get their human friends into trouble. Dotty is large and bovine-esque with beautiful glittery red spots. One of the other friends is just a mad scribble with stick arms and legs (she can be kind of chatty). As the school year goes on, fewer and fewer kids bring their friends to school – some of them have even forgotten about them completely. One of the other girls, Katya, starts teasing Ida about Dotty, and Dotty reacts by knocking her over. When the teacher makes the two girls apologize to one another, neither girl is very sincere (Katya thinks Ida was unreasonable and Ida says Katya deserved what happened to her), but their teacher is especially understanding – it turns out she’s got her own friend, which Ida is happy to discover. Colorful artwork in mixed media with some illustrations or parts of illustrations that look like they could be kid-drawn make this a very accessible and child-friendly picture book. These pictures combined with the subject matter – what kid doesn’t love imaginary friends? – make this a winner.
June 29, 2012
Ida takes her imaginary cow, Dotty, to school with her. But that's okay because Dotty gets along with all the other imaginary animals in Ms. Raymond's class. But as Ida's friends' imaginary animals move on, Ida is reluctant to let Dotty go. Finally, Dotty pushes (really, it's Ida) another girl for making fun of her. Ms. Raymond helps the girls accept responsibility for their actions while letting Ida know that it's okay for Dotty to stick around.
I'm a teacher and of course, I love a story in which the teacher solves problems in a kind, clever way. Erica Perl makes Ms. Raymond sweet, firm, and just the kind of teacher that every imaginative child would trust. Recommended for kindergarten through grade 2.
I'm a teacher and of course, I love a story in which the teacher solves problems in a kind, clever way. Erica Perl makes Ms. Raymond sweet, firm, and just the kind of teacher that every imaginative child would trust. Recommended for kindergarten through grade 2.
October 10, 2010
Pretty sweet, I gotta say. Ida brings her imaginary friend Dotty to school and for the first few months this isn't a problem. The other kids really take to Dotty. Then as the school year progresses she begins to be left behind. Everyone else abandons their invisible friends, leaving Ida alone with just Dotty. When a fight breaks out in the playground over Dotty's existence, it's up to Ida's teacher to put things right and confess to a secret friend of her own. The story by Perl is sweet but it's the illustrations by Denos that make this one particularly memorable. Well worth looking at. - B
November 5, 2010
Perl has pictured a little piece of childhood here, and she nails it solid. She shows us the inside of Ida's heart and mind as she struggles with the dilemma of staying faithful to her beloved Dotty or succumbing to peer pressure. The last page is a beautiful ending, as well, and encouraging to our little ones who cling to their beloved invisible friends.
My older daughter had an invisible friend named John Prancin that she sometimes met for meat and chips and cheese at our favorite Mexican restaurant. He had blueish-greenish scrambled hair. That's about all of a description we ever got out of her. Maybe he was a friend of Dotty. :)
My older daughter had an invisible friend named John Prancin that she sometimes met for meat and chips and cheese at our favorite Mexican restaurant. He had blueish-greenish scrambled hair. That's about all of a description we ever got out of her. Maybe he was a friend of Dotty. :)
March 16, 2021
Do you remember when you had an imaginary friend? Dotty is an incredible story about a girl and her Dotty. Going to school is so much more fun when someone you trust is with you. I love the glitter on the cover and the artistry of the drawings. Ida is a girl anyone can relate to and I love this picture book. It is a keeper for our shelf and I look forward to reading it year after year.
*Thanks to Abrams Books for providing a copy for review.*
Originally reviewed: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...
*Thanks to Abrams Books for providing a copy for review.*
Originally reviewed: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...
Read
October 5, 2018This was a fun, engaging story. I loved that Ms. Raymond helps Ida stay true to herself and didn't try to explain away imaginary friends. The illustrations are wonderful (I love Dotty in the snow) and help keep the story light. I also like how Ida looks older than a preschool student ... that will help kids see themselves as "mature."
To read our full review (complete with the kids' opinions!) go to the Reading Tub.
To read our full review (complete with the kids' opinions!) go to the Reading Tub.
August 22, 2010
Ida loves her imaginary friend, Dotty, but when her friends begin to outgrow their invisible playmates, Ida is torn about whether or not to let Dotty go. After Ms. Raymond, Ida's beloved teacher, shares a secret, Ida makes her decision. A delightful story about the importance of fantasy and imagination.
September 7, 2011
We enjoyed this book a lot as Ida ventures to school with her imaginary friend Dotty. She is happily relieved that some of her classmates have such friends too, but that soon changes and Ida begins to doubt herself. A charming ending and lovely bright illustrations. Would make for a great read aloud to a K-2 class.
July 27, 2010
Great school story. Lovely illustrations.
October 16, 2010
A great story with outstanding illustrations. Love it!!!
October 25, 2010
Cute story of an imaginary friend, and growing up.
November 29, 2010
Great handling of imaginary friends and the places they hold in our childhoods-- and beyond.
August 8, 2011
Clever illustrations bump this to a 4.5.
A sweet, engaging story.
A sweet, engaging story.
August 31, 2011
Listen to author Erica Perl read this book aloud on Mr. Schu's blog:
http://mrschureads.blogspot.com/2011/...
http://mrschureads.blogspot.com/2011/...
July 24, 2010
Perfect.
August 4, 2010
I'm definitely a friend of Dotty!
August 20, 2011
Too cute- love the celebration of imagination. Great teacher connection...
July 12, 2022
Dotty Erica S. Perl
"The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense.”
—Tom Clancy, author
As you go about your day, meeting people you know and people you don’t, picture each person holding a colored string, and pretend that each string is attached to an imaginary animal friend.
What? You say imaginary friends aren’t real? Are you sure? Are you positive there aren’t monsters under the bed? Gnomes in the garden? Fairies upsetting your dishwasher?
"Dotty" is a book about imaginary friends, by Erica S. Perl. What is Dotty? Hard to say. She’s white with red polka-dots. She has pink horns with purple stipes. A butterfly perches on her nose. She is enormous, like a curiously bovine guardian angel. She accompanies Ida to school. Her presence is not an entirely unusual in a story about a child going off to preschool or kindergarten.
But this story veers in a delightful way when we see that all the children in the classroom have imaginary animal friends and they are all, like Dotty, similarly unusual. I can tell you what each imaginary animal looks like but not what they are. We readers have to get to know them and their people.
The brilliance of this story is that there is another imaginary friend: Gert. If you look closely at the illustrations by Julia Denos, you’ll see Gert before you meet — her? him? they? It’s unclear and unimportant. But it is important to notice that Gert has four legs and a long neck. It’s yellow with brown stripes, tall ears, and striking eyelashes. It might be shy because it’s always hiding behind the coat rack, behind someone’s brown plaid coat. Gert is attached to its owner by a red string, which contrasts with the blue string Ida uses to keep close to Dotty.
After an argument with a student named Katya, Dotty gets protective of Ida, and the blue string falls out of her hand. For the rest of the story, Dotty is pictured outside the classroom, on a green hill. I want her to moo, but she is quiet, waiting for Ida, who hugs her at the end of the day and picks up her blue string again. I wonder if after this story concludes, Dotty will still accompany Ida to school but remain outside, quietly munching grass.
Author Erica S. Perl has also written chapter books and novels for a young audience. Her book All Three Stooges won the 2018 National Jewish Book Award for Children’s Literature. Illustrator Julia Denos is also an author herself. If you happen to be at the Eric Carle Museum in Amherst, Massachusetts, on Sunday, December 8, at 2 p.m., she and illustrator E.B. Goodale are doing an event about their recent book Here and Now.
There are a couple of illustrations in Dotty which show the students with their animal friends, and it struck me that every child comes to school with something unseen. It might not be a Dotty, attached to an Ida, holding a blue string. But children are not blank slates at the ripe old age of 5. They bring their small lifetimes of experiences and relationships with them. Their lines between fiction and reality are almost indistinguishable.
And we grownups? We’re not always so good at distinguishing between the two either. We come to our classrooms and our jobs and our families with our own bizarre perceptions. If we remember that everyone else does too, we might show each other the same kindness that Ms. Raymond shows Ida. Our Dottys might find safe green spaces to rest.
"The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense.”
—Tom Clancy, author
As you go about your day, meeting people you know and people you don’t, picture each person holding a colored string, and pretend that each string is attached to an imaginary animal friend.
What? You say imaginary friends aren’t real? Are you sure? Are you positive there aren’t monsters under the bed? Gnomes in the garden? Fairies upsetting your dishwasher?
"Dotty" is a book about imaginary friends, by Erica S. Perl. What is Dotty? Hard to say. She’s white with red polka-dots. She has pink horns with purple stipes. A butterfly perches on her nose. She is enormous, like a curiously bovine guardian angel. She accompanies Ida to school. Her presence is not an entirely unusual in a story about a child going off to preschool or kindergarten.
But this story veers in a delightful way when we see that all the children in the classroom have imaginary animal friends and they are all, like Dotty, similarly unusual. I can tell you what each imaginary animal looks like but not what they are. We readers have to get to know them and their people.
The brilliance of this story is that there is another imaginary friend: Gert. If you look closely at the illustrations by Julia Denos, you’ll see Gert before you meet — her? him? they? It’s unclear and unimportant. But it is important to notice that Gert has four legs and a long neck. It’s yellow with brown stripes, tall ears, and striking eyelashes. It might be shy because it’s always hiding behind the coat rack, behind someone’s brown plaid coat. Gert is attached to its owner by a red string, which contrasts with the blue string Ida uses to keep close to Dotty.
After an argument with a student named Katya, Dotty gets protective of Ida, and the blue string falls out of her hand. For the rest of the story, Dotty is pictured outside the classroom, on a green hill. I want her to moo, but she is quiet, waiting for Ida, who hugs her at the end of the day and picks up her blue string again. I wonder if after this story concludes, Dotty will still accompany Ida to school but remain outside, quietly munching grass.
Author Erica S. Perl has also written chapter books and novels for a young audience. Her book All Three Stooges won the 2018 National Jewish Book Award for Children’s Literature. Illustrator Julia Denos is also an author herself. If you happen to be at the Eric Carle Museum in Amherst, Massachusetts, on Sunday, December 8, at 2 p.m., she and illustrator E.B. Goodale are doing an event about their recent book Here and Now.
There are a couple of illustrations in Dotty which show the students with their animal friends, and it struck me that every child comes to school with something unseen. It might not be a Dotty, attached to an Ida, holding a blue string. But children are not blank slates at the ripe old age of 5. They bring their small lifetimes of experiences and relationships with them. Their lines between fiction and reality are almost indistinguishable.
And we grownups? We’re not always so good at distinguishing between the two either. We come to our classrooms and our jobs and our families with our own bizarre perceptions. If we remember that everyone else does too, we might show each other the same kindness that Ms. Raymond shows Ida. Our Dottys might find safe green spaces to rest.
May 1, 2019
This story is about a little girl named Ida and her imaginary friend Dotty. Ida takes her imaginary friend to school with her, only to realize that some of her other classmates have imaginary friends too. Great story choice if you want children to use their imaginary during and after story time. My connection to this book is that this book sends an message that it's okay to have an imaginary friend.
November 9, 2018
I liked the story, the art, and the way it was presented. It would have been nice for a bit more personalityto show up but in a short children's book it is necessarily cut for size and can be somewhat portrayed in the illustrations.
August 9, 2017
I loved the illustrations in this book.
Great story about imaginary friends & fun ending.
Kids enjoyed the book and wanted a re-read.
Great story about imaginary friends & fun ending.
Kids enjoyed the book and wanted a re-read.
June 12, 2020
A story about imaginary friends and growing up without growing out of important things.
October 31, 2024
This is a very lovely book about what it means to grow up, yet still hold onto yourself and those you love. The wonderful tale of having an imaginary friend, the comfort, the perspectives of others, the challenges, and finally the choice of individuality versus conformity. The perfect boon for younger middle childhood kids!
March 5, 2017
What a great picture book to talk about imaginary friends, their differences, and that it's okay to have them. To quote my child, "Ida has an imaginary friend and at the end the teacher has an imaginary friend. I liked that." When asked if he had one, the answer was no, but he thought the book was pretty cool. 5 star rating courtesy of the child.
Sometimes I grab titles from the library shelves just based on title and/or cover. The glittery dot on the cover caught my attention since my younger child is in love with all things pink (and I like sparkles so that helps). With the distractions of children and time limit, this is my blind date with children's books. You never know what you're getting for the bedtime story. This was a pretty awesome pick/grab. Definitely would recommend for early elementary.
Sometimes I grab titles from the library shelves just based on title and/or cover. The glittery dot on the cover caught my attention since my younger child is in love with all things pink (and I like sparkles so that helps). With the distractions of children and time limit, this is my blind date with children's books. You never know what you're getting for the bedtime story. This was a pretty awesome pick/grab. Definitely would recommend for early elementary.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2012
On Ida’s first day of school she brings her new lunchbox and Dotty, her (maybe imaginary) spotted friend. Ida is happy to learn that she’s not the only one in Ms. Raymond’s classroom who has brought a friend to school. Benny’s friend Spike has razor-sharp teeth. Katya’s chatty friend Keekoo swings from her braids. Max even has two friends, twins Pete and Repeat. That year everyone gets along, but when the students return in the fall Ida realizes she is the only one who still brings her friend to school. The other kids tease Ida for carrying the blue string that is Dotty’s leash and Dotty gets mad, knocking a girl to the ground. The girls have to write apology notes. Ida writes, “I am sorry abot what Dotty did but you desrvd it.” Ms. Raymond asks Ida to tell her about Dotty, but Ida has no words. So Ms. Raymond makes Ida promise to explain to Dotty how to behave at school and pulls out a piece of red string from her desk. Then she laughs and says, “Oh, I’m sorry. That one’s mine,” as she hands Ida her blue string. After that Ida knows everything is ok. So does Ms. Raymond, as she picks up the red string leash to lead her friend Gert home for the night.
The moral of the story is that it’s ok to be different or to grow at a different rate than your peers. Written in the third person, the text balances dialogue and narrative to create a smooth story. The dialogue and interactions between the children are believable. The illustrations are whimsical with loose, playful lines and bright colors. Brush ink and Photoshop were used to create the pictures, which feature detailed characters, in fun clothing, against a blurry background. The magic of the imaginary friends is in the illustrations and it is easy to see how they are manifestations of the personalities of their child. Denos also cleverly foreshadows Ms. Raymond’s friend with the black and yellow striped scarf she wears around her neck in the last few pages.
Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2...
The moral of the story is that it’s ok to be different or to grow at a different rate than your peers. Written in the third person, the text balances dialogue and narrative to create a smooth story. The dialogue and interactions between the children are believable. The illustrations are whimsical with loose, playful lines and bright colors. Brush ink and Photoshop were used to create the pictures, which feature detailed characters, in fun clothing, against a blurry background. The magic of the imaginary friends is in the illustrations and it is easy to see how they are manifestations of the personalities of their child. Denos also cleverly foreshadows Ms. Raymond’s friend with the black and yellow striped scarf she wears around her neck in the last few pages.
Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2...
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