Terry Shay's Favorite Books to Spark Creativity!

It's Teacher Appreciation Week! And we're celebrating by inviting one our favorite teachers, Terry Shay, to the Cottage! In addition to teaching music and technology in Iowa, Terry is one of the founders of International Dot Day–a global creativity and literacy celebration inspired by Peter Reynolds' book, The Dot—as well as the founder and facilitator of the popular Celebri-dots program. He's also a tireless champion of creativity, an avid reader with an infectious love of books, and an all-around sweet guy.

We asked Terry for his recommendations on books to ignite a creative spark!

"In the last few years there has been a great resurgence in the focus on Creativity, most likely as a reaction to the testing culture that has permeated schools. There are many books that help foster creativity in classrooms and homes. I’ve made a list of my favorites so you can begin creating your own library."

"In 2009, The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds formed the inspiration for a global creativity celebration called International Dot Day. Since its inception, Dot Day has been celebrated by almost two million people in ninety countries. The Dot tells the story of creativity-challenged Vashti, and her teacher who encourages her to “make a mark and see where it takes you.” Peter has followed up with two other books, Ish and Sky Color, to form the “Creatrilogy.” This set of books is essential to both inspire kids to create, and to challenge many of the things that hold them back. When I think of a creativity champion, I think of Peter H. Reynolds."

"Biographies can also be stellar choices to inspire creativity. The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds Kandinsky’s Abstract Art is a Caldecott Honor book and rightfully so. Mary Grandpré has created stunning visuals to go along with Barbara Rosenstock’s excellent story of artist Vasya Kandinsky and his way of looking at the world." 

"In Mary’s Garden is another visually appealing story by Carson and Tina Kugler that tells the story of Mary Nohl and her famous upcycling masterpiece house near Milwaukee, WI. The art is so beautiful and so true to Mary’s artwork that you will want to run out and make your own masterpiece." 

"Wendell Minor is a masterful artist and he channels the art of Edward Hopper in Edward Hopper Paints His World. It had to have been very difficult to get the right feeling on the iconic Hopper, but Wendell does it with great style. When you add Robert Burleigh’s words in retelling the story of Edward Hopper, the book becomes an inspirational masterpiece. The beauty in all of these biographical books is that the subjects had to overcome struggles, which is a common theme, and one that will reassure and inspire young artists."

"For plain fun and creativity, you can’t beat Drew Daywalt’s The Day the Crayons Quit. Disguised as a book about complaining crayons, this book questions the notion of certain colors being strongly associated with certain objects, like is the sun yellow or orange? This book is laugh-out-loud good with a strong creative message. It also opens the whole idea of personification, which could be the launching point for creative writing." 

"Also take a look at Louise Loves Art by Kelly Light. A super sweet book about inspiration, creating, and siblings. Louise says, “I love art! It’s my imagination on the outside.” Kelly has created a charming book about the importance of audience and of being a creator."

"Have you heard about the “maker movement” that is ramping up creativity in an entirely new way? Start with Going Places by Peter H. and Paul A. Reynolds. Going Places is the story of kids who are participating in a go-cart competition that ignites their imagination. This book would be a great place to start a discussion about how creativity can lead to exploration and making." 

"Speaking of engineering, check out Open This Little Book by Jesse Klausmeier. Although the story itself is not about engineering, the unique engineering of paper and the book's clever design will give students a clear message about thinking outside the box."

"I believe that everyone is creative. The problem is that sometimes people have such a limited view of creativity that they start to believe they aren’t creative. These last two books are not directly about creativity, but are nonetheless inspiring. The Story of Fish and Snail by Deborah Freedman shares the important concept of being brave. Although I believe everyone is creative, sometimes I think a strong shot of bravery is needed to get it out for the world to see."

"Another great title is Henny by Elizabeth Rose Stanton. Henny is about a chicken that was born with arms instead of wings. The message in this fabulous book is your talent may not be the same as someone else's, but you should use the talents you have.

Happy creating!"

Resources:

International Dot Day www.thedotclub.org

Celebridots www.celebridots.com

The Testing Camera http://www.fablevisionlearning.com/blog/2014/12/the-testing-camera

Terry Shay is a 5-12 Vocal Music and Technology teacher at North Tama School in Traer, IA. You can find Terry on Twitter at @tjshay

How to Beat the Late-Winter Blahs (in 3 Steps)

We thought that Spring was in the air, but this morning we woke up to . . . SNOW! To beat the late-winter doldrums, we've gathered up some blah-busting books. What's in our pile? Take a peek, and then pick up a few for yourself to beat the blahs in three steps . . .

1. DOODLE & DRAW
When the world seems dull and gray, one way to brighten your spirits is to add some color. And texture! And line! These activity books go way beyond the generic stay-within-the-lines coloring books of the past. They provide prompts for creativity and individual expression.

PhotoPlay! Doodle • Design • Draw 

by M.J. Bronstein 
Using a mix of quirky photos and text, kids are encouraged to draw from imagination and fill in the scene. Be it a tasty birthday cake for Bob, a pet for Grace, or Ravi’s imaginary friend —this offbeat photo-based doodle book invites creative minds of all ages to draw outside the lens.

Scribbles: A Really Giant Drawing and Coloring Book 

by Taro Gomi

Taro Gomi, author-ilustrator of Everyone Poops, has a full set of these activity books that encourage imagination and creativity through free-form doodling. With text and scribble prompts in Gomi's playful style, this not-your-average coloring book will get kids doodling outside the box.

The Usborne Big Book of Drawing, Doodling and Coloring

by Fiona Watt, Illustrated by Erica Harrison and Katie Lovell

We like this activity book because it’s bright and colorful! It also includes prompts for drawing Zentangles, which are especially popular with the 7-11 set. 

2. SPARK YOUR IMAGINATION

If you want to pair your doodling with a creativity-themed story hour, gather round with these imaginative read-alouds:

Harold and The Purple Crayon

by Crockett Johnson
Armed only with an oversized purple crayon, young Harold draws himself a landscape full of wonder and excitement.  

Journey 

by Aaron Becker
Follow a girl on an elaborate flight of fancy in this year's Caldecott Honor Book—a wondrously illustrated, wordless picture book about self-determination and unexpected friendship.

The Dot 

by Peter Reynolds
With a simple, witty story and free-spirited illustrations, Peter H. Reynolds entices even the stubbornly uncreative among us to make a mark—and follow where it takes us.

Doodle Day 

by Ross Collins

Mom has just one thing to tell Harvey on Doodleday—no drawing allowed! But surely drawing one little fly can't hurt. Or can it? When Harvey's drawings come to life, only one thing is capable of stopping Harvey's rampaging doodles . . . Mom!

 

 

Beautiful Oops!
by Barney Saltzberg
An interactive book that shows young readers how every mistake is an opportunity to make something beautiful. Includes pop-ups, lift-the-flaps, tears, holes, overlays, bends, smudges, and even an accordion “telescope”—each demonstrating the magical transformation from blunder to wonder.

• 3. IF YOU CAN'T BEAT IT . . . CELEBRATE IT.
• Take heart! Spring really is around the corner, so savor the last days of winter with these snowy day picture books and novels—perfect for curling up with next to a roaring fire.
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• SNOW  
• by Roy McKie and P.D. Eastman 
• Snow has been around a long time. Kristen says, "It’s the first book that I encountered an igloo as a child. Also, this encounter left me with the impression that people eat meat in igloos. I grew up in a small town in Idaho that was often buried in snow. The kids in this book and their dog seemed confused and emboldened by snowstorms in a way that I didn’t totally understand, but really admired."
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• TOO MANY MITTENS 
• by Florence and Louis Slobodkin 
• Too Many Mittens was originally published in the ‘50s, but the tale of a vanishing red mitten doesn’t feel dated. When one twin boy loses a red mitten, even though it’s quickly found, this doesn’t stop the good citizens of Michigan from delivering other lost mittens to replace it. The boy and his family are overwhelmed by how many lost mittens are floating around and device a plan to help all the lost mittens become found.   
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• Breadcrumbs 
• by Anne Ursu
  Hazel's best friend, Jack, has disappeared with an icy stranger. Is Hazel brave enough to venture into a wild, wintry world to rescue him? This modern fairytale offers a thrilling adventure and a poignant meditation on friendship. 
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  The Long Winter 
• by Laura Ingalls Wilder 
• You think the weather these days is bad? As Pa Ingalls would say, "Pshaw." Join Laura and her family as they struggle to survive the harrowing winter of 1880-81. 
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• Snuggle up with three more cozy tales by the Cottagers and friends . . . 
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• Knitty Kitty
• by David Elliott, illustrated by Christopher Denise
• What could Knitty Kitty be knitting? Something to keep three mischievous kittens toasty and comfy, of course. But after the snow falls and the moon comes up and it’s bedtime for kittens everywhere, what will keep them all warm and snug?
  
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• The Coziest Place
• by Jamie Michalak, illustrated by Jon Davis
• After a fun winter's day of sledding, a family of bears returns to their cozy home. They share big bear hugs, grilled cheese, hot cocoa, books, and cookies. Gentle, rhyming text and soft, inviting illustrations make this a perfect choice for bedtime.
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• Snowbaby Could Not Sleep
• by Kara LaReau, illustrated by Jim Ishikawa

Snowbaby can't sleep! After counting snowflakes, snuggling up in blankets of snow, and singing don't put him to sleep, Snowmama and Snowpapa aren't sure what to do. But with a snip here and a clip there, they create the perfect friend to help Snowbaby fall asleep, at last. 


Baking Day At Grandma's 

by Anika Denise, illustrated by Christopher Denise 

SNEAK PEEK! (Pubs August 2014). Three bouncing little bear siblings, wrapped tight in their winter clothes, can't wait to tromp through the snow for Baking Day at Grandma's!  In a rhyming text that begs to be sung, the bears and their grandma pour and mix and stir--with breaks for hot cocoa and dancing--to create the perfect wintry treat. Then they wrap it up in ribbons to show that sweets are even better when they're shared. With a recipe in the back, this is a perfect family feel-good story for the fall, winter, and any holiday spent with grandparents.