Book Review of One Day a Dot: The Story of You, The Universe, and Everything
The Children’s Book Review
One Day a Dot: The Story of You, The Universe, and Everything
Written by Ian Endler
Illustrated by Shelli Paroline and Braden Lamb
Ages 3+ | 40 Pages
Publisher: First Second | ISBN: 9781626722446
What to expect: Big Bang Theory, Universe, Non-Fiction
One Day a Dot: The Story of You, The Universe, and Everything is a sweet, gentle introduction to explore one of life’s greatest questions: where did we come from?
Starting with a single, playful dot, author Ian Lendler leads children on a journey through time. Everything started simple enough – dots absorbing light, then dots absorbing other dots until things get bigger and survival becomes a primal thing. Illustrators Shelli Paroline and Braden Lamb keep the story smooth, inviting, and visually appealing. The bright colors and big ideas are tempered with friendly creatures exploring Earth and learning to survive.
Together, the words and illustrations bring children on an incredible journey through the universe we know today. By the end of the book, that tiny dot has become a thing like you, a human, and all of our families, our lives, and our love for one another. But the last question still stands: where did that first dot come from?
Sure to start a fascinating avalanche of questions from children by asking a bigger question than it answers, this book is a great way to start that conversation about what each family thinks might have started it all. Its gentle story also reminds us how we are all connected, from tiny things, and that no matter how big life seems to get, we are at heart small dots all related to one another, just trying to survive, just making it one day at a time.
Based on an existential question that usually feels impossible to discuss with children, One Day a Dot: The Story of You, The Universe, and Everything brings it all to the table—a thought-provoking question and a captivating book, indeed!
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About the Author
Ian Lendler is an award-winning author of picture books, non-fiction, and graphic novels. His most recent middle grade non-fiction, The First Dinosaur, was voted Kirkus Best of 2019, an NSTA Best of 2019, an Orbus Pictus Recommended Title, a Crystal Kite Honor, and a Cybil Award winner. It was also selected by the Junior Library Guild
His graphic novel series, The Stratford Zoo Presents…, was voted Best of 2015 by a number of state library societies as well as being a Junior Library Guild Selection.
About the Illustrators
Shelli Paroline escaped early on into the world of comics, cartoons, and science fiction. She has returned to the Boston area, where she is an unassuming illustrator and co-director of the Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo. Shelli has contributed to Adventure Time comics.
Braden Lamb grew up in Seattle, studied film in upstate New York, learned about Vikings in Iceland and Norway, and began an art career in Massachusetts. Now he draws and colors comics, including Adventure Time, and wouldn’t have it any other way.
More Books That Explore How Everything Is Connected
Everything is Connected, by Jason Gruhl
Footprints Across the Planet, by Jennifer Swanson
Denise Mealy reviewed One Day a Dot: The Story of You, The Universe, and Everything. Discover more books like One Day a Dot by reading our reviews and articles tagged with Life Cycle Books, Non-Fiction, Picture Book, and Universe.
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