Book’s you’ll love: Dotty
August 25, 2010
With the theme of school starting, I have to introduce you to our family’s favorite new book! I mean TRUE favorite. The kind of favorite that had my 5 year old sleeping with this book 2 nights in a row even though it kept poking her in the elbow when she slept. We’re big fans.
Julia Denos has been a favorite new illustrator of mine. Personally, I think this book matches her brilliance. Dotty is a book about Ida’s first day at school, and how she spends the school year with her imaginary friend Dotty…which is some kind of polka-dotted half-cow, half-lion, half-who knows what! She learns that most of the other kids in her class have imaginary friends too, but as the year wears on, they start to get too big and grown up for their pretend play mates, and Dotty finds herself trying to learn how to handle the fact that she still has one. The ending is so incredibly charming, and sent my children in complete justification for having their imaginary friends (we have Jason, Max and Sally come visit regularly to our house!)
But honestly….just look at the illustrations. Julia has reinvented this fresh vintage-y whimsical style that I appreciate so much. Her freshness and creative take on her characters matches the fun flair in the story. It’s a perfect match!
I don’t think I have ever read a picture book about imaginary friends. Honestly, I wish I had the idea first! But this is charming, and a PERFECT first day of school gift. I can’t decide who likes it more….me or my children. We keep fighting for who gets to read it next!
Happy first days of school to everyone!
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Giveaway: Dotty by Julia Denos « Sarah Jane Studios Blog
November 5th, 2010 on 12:24 am[...] you remember the Picture Book post I did a while back about Dotty? It was I think the most popular post of that month, and I had so many of you email me thanking me [...]
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Wow – that’s quite a recommendation! Sounds adorable. My kids have never had imaginary friends (at least that I know of), but I had a pet horse named Rainbow who road on the roof of my parents’ station wagon.
oh my! her illustration style, I love it! It gives me a really good, old school feeling.
Perfect. Thanks for sharing this!
it looks darling! My little one just started kindergarten too – I’m thinking we need some new books for our shelves, so i’ll have to get this one. Thanks for the recommendation!
For more fun with imaginary friends there’s Imagine Harry by Kate and Sarah Klise and Jessica by Kevin Henkes. (Picture books are the best, aren’t they?)
Jodi, Great recommendations! I Hadn’t thought of those, but I love those too!
Thanks for all your great comments. I love finding new, wonderful books….almost as much as I like discovering really great old ones:)
This looks so sweet! Gonna have to check it out.
Sarah, have you read the interview of Julia by Chad W. Beckerman? It is fabulous, with lots of pictures and how she developed Dotty’s final look. Here is the link: http://cwdesigner.blogspot.com/2010/02/interview-adventure-seriesjulia-denos.html
thanks for the recommendation, it looks great!! i have a charlie and lola book about an imaginary friend, who is illustrated in a clear shiny gloss on the page which i thought was a great idea.
‘i am too absolutely small for school’ by lauren child
I too looove Julia’s work and the story makes me so happy
The Pete and Repeat imaginary friends are the absolute BEST!
Thanks for introducing us to new books, it keeps us up to date.
Oh, wow!!! This looks fantastic!! Will add to the list of books to snag soon! xoxo
Love it!! I’m making a list of new books for my twin girls (2 1/2 years old) and you keep comiong up with some great ones. They love Jessica by Kevin Henkes. I don’t think they yet understand the concept of having an “imaginary friend” but I do know they understand what it means to love someone special. This is great!!
I try to pick up all the books you suggest, and so far we love every one! I love your book posts!
Just bought Dotty! My three little girls (one of whom had a long-lived imaginary friend) adored it. Also, while at my neighborhood bookstore here in Arlington, VA, I mentioned your upcoming book to the wonderful owner/buyer. I think I convinced her to order bunches.
I am such a fan of your amazing talent! All the best.
Oh, thank you so much! You are amazing! And Arlington at that. Favorite place. I grew up on the other side of the river:)
Thanks again!
[...] you remember the Picture Book post I did a while back about Dotty? It was I think the most popular post of that month, and I had so many of you email me thanking me [...]