Story Activation
From The Dot to The Word Collector, educators across the country have activated books by Peter H. and Paul A. Reynolds. At the Reynolds Center we are cheering you on and are excited to share FREE resources for you to use in your classroom.
Collecting all the books by Peter H. Reynolds?
Click on the image below to download the Peter H. Reynolds Collection Themes Poster.
Interviews
Podcasts
Blogs
Printables
Animated Films
Connection
Our Table
Written and Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Published by Scholastic
About: From Peter H. Reynolds: "I created OUR TABLE, as a fable, a cautionary tale, about a family whose table shrinks the more they become distracted by technology. Violet takes note and then - takes action. As we fast forward into the future, do not forget about what we know is essential. Technology has changed our lives, some it quite powerful and helpful, but we can not let it change who we are as humans. We must remember as we squeeze through the portal of the future that we bring with us what we know works, what is most important.
Human connection.
Shared stories. Shared memories."
Themes: Connection
Creativity
The Dot
Written and Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Published by Candlewick
About: Art class is over, but Vashti is sitting glued to her chair in front of a blank piece of paper. The words of her teacher are a gentle invitation to express herself. But Vashti can’t draw - she’s no artist. To prove her point, Vashti jabs at a blank sheet of paper to make an unremarkable and angry mark. "There!" she says.
That one little dot marks the beginning of Vashti’s journey of surprise and self-discovery. That special moment is the core of Peter H. Reynolds’s delicate fable about the creative spirit in all of us.
About International Dot Day: International Dot Day, a global celebration of creativity, courage and collaboration, began when teacher Terry Shay introduced his classroom to Peter H. Reynolds’ book The Dot on September 15, 2009. Each year on International Dot Day – with the help of people just like you –the inspiration continues.
Join the Dot Club here!
Themes: Confidence, courage, creativity, trusting yourself
Resources: The Dot/Ish Classroom Guide
Ish
Written and Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Published by Candlewick
About: Drawing is what Ramon does. It’s what makes him happy. But in one split second, all that changes. A single reckless remark by Ramon's older brother, Leon, turns Ramon's carefree sketches into joyless struggles. Luckily for Ramon, though, his little sister, Marisol, sees the world differently. She opens his eyes to something a lot more valuable than getting things just "right." Combining the spareness of fable with the potency of parable, Peter Reynolds shines a bright beam of light on the need to kindle and tend our creative flames with care.
Themes: Creativity over exactitude, defying limitations
Resources: The Dot/Ish Classroom Guide
Sky Color
Written and Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Published by Candlewick
About: Marisol loves to paint. So when her teacher asks her to help make a mural for the school library, she can’t wait to begin! But how can Marisol make a sky without blue paint? After gazing out the bus window and watching from her porch as day turns into night, she closes her eyes and starts to dream.
Themes: Thinking outside the box, creative problem solving, widening perceptions
Resources: Sky Color Classroom Guide
Voice
Be You
Written and Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Published by Scholastic
Be curious...
Be adventurous...
Be brave...
BE YOU!
Discover a joyful reminder of the ways that every child is unique and special, from the beloved creator of The Dot, Happy Dreamer, and New York Times bestseller, The Word Collector. Here, Peter reminds you to "be your own work of art." To be patient, persistent, and true. Because there is one, and only one, YOU.
Themes: Individuality
Resources: Be You Activity Sheets (7 total)
Say Something
Written and Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Published by Scholastic
The world needs your voice.
If you have a brilliant idea... say something!
If you see an injustice... say something!
In this empowering new picture book, Peter H. Reynolds explores the many ways that a single voice can make a difference. Each of us, each and every day, have the chance to say something: with our actions, our words, and our voices. Perfect for kid activists everywhere, this timely story reminds readers of the undeniable importance and power of their voice. There are so many ways to tell the world who you are... what you are thinking... and what you believe. And how you'll make it better. The time is now: SAY SOMETHING!
Themes: Using your voice to empower change
Resources: Say Something Speech Bubble Activity , Dream It! Write It! Say it! Teacher Guide
Collaboration
Peace Train
Written by Cat Stevens
Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Published by HarperCollins
About: Readers are invited to hop on the Peace Train and join its growing group of passengers who are all ready to unite the world in peace and harmony.
Featuring the timeless lyrics of Cat Stevens’s legendary song and illustrations by New York Times bestselling artist Peter H. Reynolds, this hopeful picture book inspires tolerance and love for people of all cultures and identities
Themes: Community, Peace
Resources: Peace Train Classroom Activities
The word collector
Written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Published by Scholastic
About: In this extraordinary new tale from Peter H. Reynolds, Jerome discovers the magic of the words all around him -- short and sweet words, two-syllable treats, and multi-syllable words that sound like little songs. Words that connect, transform, and empower.
The Word Collectors: Join other Word Collectors across the country who are using the power of words to change the world. Visit The Word Collectors to share your story.
Themes: Using words to connect, transform, and empower
Resources: Dream It! Write It! Say it! Teacher Guide
Rose’s Garden
Written and Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Published by Candlewick
About: A sweet fable dedicated to Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy that celebrates the spirit of community, the beauty of nature, and the power of faith and imagination. After traveling the world in her fantastic teapot, Rose is ready to put down roots. She sets about planting flower seeds in a neglected corner of a bustling city. And then she waits - through rain and cold and snow. Rose waits, never doubting that the garden she envisions will one day come to be. With a simple narration and lovely, fanciful illustrations, this luminous picture book resonates with readers of all ages. Author-illustrator Peter H. Reynolds dedicates it to the matriarch of the Kennedy family - herself the namesake of the Rose Kennedy Greenway, a series of gardens, plazas, and tree-lined promenades.
Themes: The power of community, nature, beauty, and faith
Resources: Make-Your-Own Flowers
STEAM
Sydney and Simon: Full Steam Ahead!
Written by Paul Reynolds
Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Published by Charlesbridge
About: Sydney and Simon are twin mice on a mission. They want to enter their flowers in the neighborhood flower show, but the flowers in the window box are wilting in the city heat, and the window is jammed. How are they going to get water to their blossoms so they'll live and flourish in time for the show?
Sydney and Simon are lucky to be growing up in a curious and creative family and are encouraged to ask questions, experiment, and record their findings through writing, art, music, and video. Their mother is a scientist and their father is a poet. Their family motto is: "When the going gets tough, the creative get going."
Utilizing the S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) philosophy of learning, this brightly illustrated story shows how an interdisciplinary studies model helps Sydney and Simon achieve their goals. In a practical, fun, and hands-on way, young readers will be inspired to interact with their own natural learning skills and start experiencing the world-and their education-in a whole new way.
Themes: STEAM, ingenuity, problem solving, creative thinking
Resources:
Sydney and Simon: Go Green!
Written by Paul Reynolds
Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Publisher: Charlesbridge
About: During a class field trip to the Aquarium, Sydney is upset when she realizes that a green sea turtle has been harmed by garbage that made its way to the ocean. She must convince Simon that even if others don’t intend to litter, the garbage everyone puts in a trashcan may accidentally get swept into sewers, streams, rivers, and possibly end up in the ocean.
The twins collects data on the trash habits of their household and school and find they are all part of the problem! They need to figure out a way that their family, their neighborhood, and their school can cut down on garbage production and make better use of their discarded items.
Themes: STEAM, earth conservation, compassion for animals
sydney and simon: To the moon!
Written by Paul Reynolds
Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Publisher: Charlesbridge
About: The chance to meet astronaut Kris Kornfield is a dream come true for twins Sydney and Simon. But first they have to come up with the most creative project about the Earth’s moon. While Sydney’s work is all about the art, and Simon’s is all about the data, neither seems creative enough to win the prize. But when they put their heads together, they incorporate S.T.E.A.M. thinking and come up with a winning idea. The third installment in the Sydney & Simon series, this kid-friendly story makes science concepts accessible and exciting.
Themes: STEAM, collaboration, creativity
Going places
Written by Paul A. Reynolds and Peter H. Reynolds
Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Published by Atheneum
About:
It’s time for this year’s Going Places contest! Finally. Time to build a go-cart, race it—and win. Each kid grabs an identical kit, and scrambles to build.
Everyone but Maya. She sure doesn’t seem to be in a hurry...and that sure doesn’t look like anybody else’s go-cart!
But who said it had to be a go-cart? And who said there’s only one way to cross the finish line?
This sublime celebration of creative spirit and thinking outside the box—both figuratively and literally—is ideal for early learners, recent grads, and everyone in between.
Themes: Creativity, collaboration, STEM
Resources: Going Places Activity Guide
Thinking Globally
The Water Princess
Written by Susan Verde and Georgie Badiel. Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books
Based on supermodel Georgie Badiel’s childhood, a young girl dreams of bringing clean drinking water to her African village
Acclaimed author Susan Verde and award-winning author/illustrator Peter H. Reynolds have come together to tell this moving story. As a child in Burkina Faso, Georgie and the other girls in her village had to walk for miles each day to collect water. This vibrant, engaging picture book sheds light on this struggle that continues all over the world today, instilling hope for a future when all children will have access to clean drinking water.
Resources: The Georgie Badiel Foundation encourages educators and community leaders to incorporate Georgie’s life story, The Water Princess, to engage, educate, and inspire students to become global citizens and join our mission. For more information about service-learning projects and fundraising campaigns, please contact Katherine Moran Villone, Director of Education at The Georgie Badiel Foundation: kathy@georgiebadielfoundation.org.
Mindfulness
Resources: I AM Teaching Guide
I AM Book Series
Written by Susan Verde. Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Published by Harry N. Abrams
The I AM series, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds and written by Susan Verde explores what it means to have human experiences in the world. It is perfect for children of all ages and continues to influence readers around the world.
The series includes four books:
I am Yoga
I am Peace
I am Human
I am Love
The north star
Written and Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Published by Candlewick
About: Ask yourself where it is you want to go. . .
It is often said that life is a journey, and it’s true. But sometimes it’s hard to know which path to follow, when signs point in so many directions. In this beautifully illustrated book, Peter H. Reynolds once again encourages readers to observe, to wonder, and to consider diverging from the well-worn path—to pursue their dreams. Originally published ten years ago, The North Star has had a profound effect on its many readers. This edition, featuring all-new art, celebrates the book’s own decade-long voyage connecting people around the world. It has inspired classroom activities, a musical, and thousands more thoughtful journeys.
Themes: Wonder, pursuing dreams, creating your own path
Resources: Constellation Mapper, Hanging Star Template
Happy dreamer
Written and Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Published by Scholastic
About: While the world tells us to sit still, to follow the rules, and to color inside the lines, Happy Dreamer celebrates all those moments in between when the mind and spirit soar and we are free to become our own true dreamer maximus! In Peter's signature voice and style, this empowering picture book reminds children of how much their dreams matter, and while life will have ups and downs, he enlists readers to stay true to who they are, to tap into their most creative inner selves, and to never ever forget to dream big!
Theme: Empowerment to follow your dreams
Resources: Happy Dreamer Classroom Guide