MATTER YOUR AGE. MY NAME IS JUDY AND THIS IS MY. THIS IS MY DOG. IT’S THE HAPPIEST HOLIDAY YOU MAY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF. DOT DAY IS CELEBRATED AT SCHOOLS AROUND THE WORLD CELEBRATING THE PICTURE BOOK THE DOT, WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY PETER REYNOLDS. IT’S MIND BLOWING FOR ME TO THINK THAT THIS LITTLE DOT THAT I MADE IN DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, 23 YEARS AGO HAS TURNED INTO NOT ONLY A BEST SELLING BOOK, BUT A MOVEMENT. THE BOOK CENTERS AROUND A GIRL NAMED VASHTI, WHO BELIEVES SHE CANNOT DRAW, BUT IS EMBOLDENED BY HER TEACHER TO JUST MAKE A MARK AND SEE WHERE IT TAKES YOU. YOUR TURN. MAKE YOUR MARK. DOT DAY WANTS ALL OF US TO BE LIKE VASHTI AND MAKE OUR OWN MARK. I’M ENCOURAGING EVERYBODY TO USE THEIR CREATIVITY, WHETHER IT’S ART OR SINGING OR OR THINKING, TO MAKE THE WORLD A KINDER AND BETTER PLACE. DOES THAT MESSAGE FEEL MORE IMPORTANT GIVEN THE TIMES WE’RE LIVING IN THESE CHALLENGING TIMES? THIS MESSAGE DEFINITELY, I THINK, RESONATES EVEN MORE. I THINK THE WORLD REALLY NEEDS KINDNESS. IT NEEDS CREATIVITY, IT NEEDS COLOR, IT NEEDS OPEN MINDS. AND THAT’S REALLY WHAT CREATIVITY IS. YES, IT’S ABOUT ART, BUT IT’S REALLY ABOUT BEING GENEROUS OF SPIRIT. OKAY, PARENTS, I GOT SOME GOOD NEWS. PETER SAYS THAT DOT DAY IS CELEBRATED ON SEPTEMBER 15TH ISH. SO YOU GOT ALL WEEK TO BREAK OUT THE ARTS AND CRAFTS AND GET CREATING. AND I REALLY, REALLY WANT ADULTS TO READ THE BOOK AND TO PARTICIPATE AND MAKE THEIR MARK AND ALSO MAKE THEIR MARK WITH CHILDREN, THE CHILDREN AROUND THEM AND SHOW THEIR KIDS THAT THEY ARE BRAVE, THAT THEY’RE THERE. THEY ARE WILLING TO PUT THEMSELVES OUT THERE AND SHARE THEIR VOICE WITH THE WORLD.

Dot Day, celebrated in schools worldwide, is inspired by Peter H. Reynolds’ book, “The Dot,” which encourages creativity and kindness. The book, written and illustrated by Reynolds, centers around a girl named Vashti who believes she cannot draw but is encouraged by her teacher to “just make a mark and see where it takes you.””It’s mind-blowing for me to think that this little dot that I made in Dedham, Massachusetts, 23 years ago has turned into not only a best-selling book, but a movement,” Reynolds said.Dot Day encourages everyone to be like Vashti and make their own mark.”I’m encouraging everybody to use their creativity, whether it’s art or singing or thinking, to make the world a kinder and better place,” Reynolds said.Reynolds emphasized the importance of creativity and kindness, especially in challenging times, noting that the world needs more open-mindedness and generosity of spirit.”In these challenging times, this message definitely, I think, resonates even more. I think the world really needs kindness, it needs creativity, it needs color, it needs open-mindedness, and that’s really what creativity is. Yes, it’s about art, but it’s really about being generous of spirit,” Reynolds said.Dot Day is celebrated on Sept. 15, giving parents and children an opportunity to engage in arts and crafts and express their creativity.”I really, really want adults to read the book and to participate and make their mark and also make their mark with children and the children around them and show their kids that they’re brave that they are willing to put themselves out there and share their voice with the world,” Reynolds said.

DEDHAM, Mass. —

Dot Day, celebrated in schools worldwide, is inspired by Peter H. Reynolds’ book, “The Dot,” which encourages creativity and kindness.

The book, written and illustrated by Reynolds, centers around a girl named Vashti who believes she cannot draw but is encouraged by her teacher to “just make a mark and see where it takes you.”

“It’s mind-blowing for me to think that this little dot that I made in Dedham, Massachusetts, 23 years ago has turned into not only a best-selling book, but a movement,” Reynolds said.

Dot Day encourages everyone to be like Vashti and make their own mark.

“I’m encouraging everybody to use their creativity, whether it’s art or singing or thinking, to make the world a kinder and better place,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds emphasized the importance of creativity and kindness, especially in challenging times, noting that the world needs more open-mindedness and generosity of spirit.

“In these challenging times, this message definitely, I think, resonates even more. I think the world really needs kindness, it needs creativity, it needs color, it needs open-mindedness, and that’s really what creativity is. Yes, it’s about art, but it’s really about being generous of spirit,” Reynolds said.

Dot Day is celebrated on Sept. 15, giving parents and children an opportunity to engage in arts and crafts and express their creativity.

“I really, really want adults to read the book and to participate and make their mark and also make their mark with children and the children around them and show their kids that they’re brave that they are willing to put themselves out there and share their voice with the world,” Reynolds said.