Ish

Book Details

What the Story Is About

Ramon loves to draw. It’s something he does with joy - until one day, his older brother laughs at one of his drawings. Suddenly, doubt creeps in. His lines don’t feel right anymore. The joy fades.

But then, quietly and sweetly, his younger sister Marisol reminds him of something important: that his drawings don’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. She shows him one she kept - a “vase-ish” sketch - and in that moment, something shifts.

Ramon learns that it’s okay to create things that are “ish” - tree-ish, boat-ish, anything-ish. That maybe the point of drawing isn’t to get it right, but to enjoy the trying.

And honestly, isn’t that true for so much in life?

Why This Book Matters in a Room Full of Growing Hearts

This gentle story is a quiet nudge for any child (or adult) who has ever felt “not good enough.”

It reminds us:

• That creativity is tender and needs kindness to bloom.

• That one careless comment can shut down a spark, and one kind gesture can bring it roaring back.

• That being “ish” is more than okay - it’s where play begins, and fear lets go.

A word on the Illustrations

Peter H. Reynolds’ drawings are soft, simple, and a little sketchy - just like the early drawings Ramon loves to make. There’s something so comforting about how loosely it’s all drawn. Watercolor washes add a glow of emotion. And when we see Marisol’s room full of Ramon’s “ish” artwork, it feels like a quiet celebration of all the messy, wonderful ways we express ourselves.

For Us, As Teachers

How often have we seen it? A child crumples a drawing, erases the same word five times, or says, “I can’t do this.”

This book is a soft mirror, asking us:

Are we creating a space where “ish” is welcome?
Do children feel free to try, even if things don’t turn out “right”?
And are we catching those quiet moments when they need someone to say, “I love what you tried”?

Here’s something to hold on to: The Pottery Class Paradox.

A teacher divided their pottery students into two groups. One group was told: “Make as many pots as you can. Quantity over quality.” The other group was told: “Make only one pot, but make it perfect.”
At the end of the term, do you know who made the best pots?
Not the perfection group.
It was the students who made more. Who learned by doing. Who got better not by aiming for perfect - but by allowing themselves to create freely, messily, joyfully.

And that’s what Ish gently teaches us. That perfection is not the goal - expression is. Effort is. Joy is.

Let’s be the Marisols in our rooms. Let’s quietly collect the “ish” art, and hang it where every child can see: your voice matters, even when it wobbles.

Conversations to Have with Children

For ages 6–8:

• Why did Ramon stop drawing?

• What do you think “ish” means? Can you give your own examples?

• Has anyone ever helped you feel better like Marisol did for Ramon?

For ages 8–10:

• Have you ever stopped doing something you liked because someone made fun of it?

• Why do you think Marisol’s words helped Ramon so much?

• Do you think being “ish” is a strength? Why or why not?

Activities That Bring the Story to Life

Make Your Own ‘Ish’ Wall
Invite children to draw whatever they like. Encourage “ish” drawings - tree-ish, bird-ish, dream-ish. Hang them on a wall that says, “We’re all a little ish - and that’s just perfect.”

Kindness Notes Jar
What could we say to someone who feels like giving up? Let children write or draw gentle, kind messages. Collect them in a jar for anyone to pick from when they’re having a tough day.

Before and After Pages
Ask children to think about a time they felt like Ramon - stuck or unsure. On one page, they can draw or write about that moment. On the next, how they might face it now, knowing what they’ve learned from Ish.

For Older Kids – Growth Mindset Posters
Introduce a few quotes like:

“Mistakes mean you’re trying.”
“Done is better than perfect.”

Let them choose one and create a poster around it in their own “ish” style.

And Don't Miss the Author's Note

Right at the end, Peter H. Reynolds leaves a quiet gift for readers - a note about why he wrote Ish. It’s heartfelt and hopeful. You might want to read it aloud. It can spark a lovely reflection - or simply a moment of stillness before your room returns to its beautiful buzz.