Title: Line and Dot
Author: Veronique Cauchy
Illustrator: Laurent Simon
Age Group: Ages 1-5
Synopsis: Line and Dot discover that together they can create a great array of things and when they include others, the possibilities are endless.
The Lowdown:
Talking to kids about inclusion is tricky and at certain ages just dumb. I could tell Peanut all day long that she should include others but it’s not really going to permeate. Even to Bug, who is almost five, this is a hard concept to remember and apply in everyday life. That’s why stories like Line and Dot are so important. It introduces a concept in an easy to understand way that allows it to translate nicely into everyday.
The title characters: Line and Dot meet one day and find they can make some fun stuff with just the two of them. But to amp up their fun they invite more dots and then more lines to make even greater creations. They go from building flowers to trains and hot air balloons. They realize though, that they’re just holding themselves back by inhabiting their newly built city with just black dots and white lines. New invitations are sent out and an array of lines and dots arrive in every color. Together they build something truly spectacular: a community.
Simon works perfectly in tandem with Cauchy to really bring the text’s message home. The simplicity of the initial pages (we are just talking about dots and lines) makes the story more accessible to younger readers. It also drives the point home that cooperation is the key to growth. Each page becomes more fun and attractive with more and more participants. Since the first two-thirds of the book are just black dots, white lines, and blue background, when the colors show up it creates such a huge impression. Simon even overlaps certain colors in the final pages as they play to perfectly illustrate that together, the possibilities are endless.
Story Tips:
- For older kids: Have drawing time after using only lines and dots. Slowly expand your repertoire to illustrate the book’s message.
I need more!
Veronique Cauchy has quite a few books available, unfortunately they’re all in French. However, if you’re lucky enough to speak it have fun checking out her other books: http://veronique-cauchy-auteur-jeunesse.blogspot.com
Laurent Simon is also French and also has quite a few books available in….French! Makes sense. Check out his work here: https://laurent-simon.ultra-book.com
For other Magination Press books check out All My Stripes or Fantastic You
