“Ish . . . encourages readers to see the world anew.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

Ramon loved to draw. Anytime. Anything. Anywhere.

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 H. Reynolds shines a bright beam of light on the need to kindle and tend our creative flames with care.

A creative spirit learns that thinking “ish-ly” is far more wonderful than “getting it right” in this gentle fable from the creator of the award-winning picture book The Dot.

Ramon loved to draw. Anytime. Anything. Anywhere.

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.

ISH . . . encourages readers to see the world anew.
—School Library Journal (starred review)

Reynold’s minimalist pen-and-ink illustrations feature subtle washes of watercolor and ample splashes of emotion and humor. A tidy lesson in the importance of thinking — or drawing — outside the box and believing in one’s own abilities despite others’ reactions.
—Publishers Weekly

The overriding theme about creativity versus exactitude will resonate with many. The line-and-clor artwork is simple, but it has great emotion and warmth. Kids will resond to that, too.
—Booklist

A lovely tale. . . . Told in spare prose with Reynolds’ signature line drawings in watercolor, ink, and tea, ISH will encourage other little artists.
—Kirkus Reviews

Certain to bolster self-esteem and encourage children to follow their creative impulses.
—Scholastic Parent & Child

Adults as well as children will want to linger over the pages.
—Houston Chronicle

ISBN9781536246896

Available onSep 02, 2025

Published byCandlewick

Pages32

Dimensions9-11/16 x 9

Age Range5-9 years

GradeGrades K-4

ISBN9780763623449

Published onAug 19, 2004

Published byCandlewick

Pages32

Dimensions8-1/16 x 7-1/2

Age Range5-9 years

GradeGrades K-4

Reading LevelLexile: 510L | Fountas/Pinnell: L

Ish

Age Range: 5-9 years

You May Also Like

Super Goat Girl

I Got You

Joan in the Cone

Stanley’s Library

Oh No, Ojó!

Polecat Has a Superpower

Creepy Sheepy

In Our Dreams

Turtles Heading Home!

Pumpkin Dad

Success!

Part of Creatrilogy