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Summary

Dot to Dot is the story of how a girl named Dot celebrates her birthday, which just happens to be on the same day as her grandmother’s birthday! It’s also a book about Dot’s grandmother, who is named Dot, and how she celebrates by traveling the globe.

My Thoughts

This has been a book that we have read time and time again since we brought it home from the library. It’s a simple story, and really quite short, but my 4 and 2 year old go bonkers over it! Why? Because it’s two stories in one!

If you read it from front to back, the story is all about Dot and her birthday card that she is trying to send to her grandmother Dot, to tell her happy birthday. When you get to the middle of the book, you get a surprise, because Dot’s story ends. The kids love as you go right to the back of the book, turn the whole thing upside down, and start again. Only this time, you’re reading Grandmother Dot’s story, and her adventures to get to her granddaughter, Dot, on their shared birthday. Grandmother Dot’s story ends where Dot’s ends, a celebration in the middle of the book.

The illustrations are simple and classic, engaging, but not overwhelming. The narrow color pallet looks modern, but is reminiscent of older styles when printing presses were limited.

This unique format has kept my kids thoroughly involved in this story. It’s requested daily, and they know it by heart already.

Use This Book

Some themes that might go along with this book for preschool or kindergarten are:

• family
• opposites
• birthdays
• travel/countries
• postal service/cards

Find It In Your Library!

• Book: Dot to Dot
• Author/Illustrator: Malcolm Cossons (Author), Neil Stevens (Illustrator)
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson; 1 edition (September 9, 2013)
• Format: Picture Book, Hardcover
• ISBN: 978-0500650158
• Genre: Juvenile Fiction