Ish

In Ish, Peter H. Reynolds tells a heartfelt story about the importance of embracing creativity and the joy of expression. Ramon, a young boy who loves to draw anything and everything, finds immense happiness in his art—until a thoughtless comment from his older brother, Leon, shatters his confidence. Suddenly, drawing becomes a burdensome task, robbing him of the joy he once felt.Fortunately, Ramon's little sister, Marisol, has a refreshing perspective on art. She encourages him to see the beauty in imperfection and the value of creating for the sake of creativity itself. Through their interactions, Ramon begins to understand that art should be about expression, not perfection.Ish combines the simplicity of a fable with the depth of a parable, highlighting the importance of nurturing one's creative spirit. Reynolds' charming illustrations and uplifting message resonate deeply with readers, making Ish a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and a reminder that creativity flourishes when we allow ourselves to be free and playful in our artistic endeavors.

Well made

This book is amazing. I have child who has my perfectionist tendencies and that's hard for a kid that is 6 and has had motor delays. There are things his brain wants to do that his hands and fingers can't figure out just yet. This is a book that shows the enjoyment someone gets from drawing, the effects of people who don't like is drawn, and a little boy struggling to see that he can actually draw (despite what his big brother says). His little sister opens his eyes to ish which allows him to enjoy his drawings again. I also loved it was a sibling who tried to pull him down and yet another sibling that pulls him back up to show how we really do influence each other. Such a great little story on so many levels. We even started a book we called "Ish" and we spent the summer (trying to sneak in a little school and fun) drawing ish drawings of the things we did or experienced. It was great and something my boys (5 and 6) want to do every summer now.

"Ish" by Peter H. Reynolds is a whimsical and profound exploration of creativity, perfectionism, and the beauty of embracing imperfections. 🎨 The story follows Ramon, a young artist who is disheartened when his older brother criticizes his drawings as "ish." Reynolds artfully weaves a narrative that unfolds into a journey of self-discovery and artistic liberation.The brilliance of "Ish" lies in its ability to convey a profound message with simplicity. The concept of "ish" becomes a powerful tool for understanding that art is not confined by rigid standards but is a fluid and subjective expression. Ramon's evolving perspective, from frustration to acceptance of the "ish-ness" in his creations, is a lesson in resilience and the joy of embracing the unique and imperfect beauty of individuality.This is a gentle reminder for both young minds and adults that creativity knows no bounds and that every stroke, even if "ish," contributes to a masterpiece. 📘✨

Power to the Ish within all of us! I have an artist friend who was feeling a bit stuck. Yes, I did send him a child's book, but not until I read it through myself. It lifted my spirits and it did for his as well. This small book delivers big inspiration and joy. Remember joy? We need more of it. This little book helps.

This book is short, meaningful, and helps to teach kids that they and their art work are perfect just the way they are.

My six year old grandson doesn't sit still for much. I brought this book to him today, but before I even gave it to him, we went to a mega playground, out to lunch and then to the beach for a couple of hours. Then I realized I really wanted to read the book to him before we left. He sat down with me and was very engaged by the story and wasn't restless or impatient. We both loved the sweet story and charming illustrations. The first thing he said was I'm going to ask my mom to read that to me again later. It doesn't get any better than that.

Wonderfully written and illustrated. Simple and straight to the point. I recommend reading the book to any child, but don't be surprised if you aren't inspired too. My wife gave it to me for my 82nd birthday to read to our 7 year old granddaughter.