Ish

Last Wednesday, my daughter and I were on our way home after her school. While I was getting irritated by Chicago traffic, my daughter was happy to eat peanut butter jelly sandwich in the back seat. Once she finished eating, she talked about a boy named, Ramon. I listened to her story.

"Ramon loves to draw. He draws anytime, anywhere," said my daughter. At this point I thought Ramon was one of her classmate. Although I couldn't recall any boy whose name was Ramon.

"One day he was drawing a vase," she continued her story, "but his older brother made fun of his drawing because it didn't look exactly same." Her tone of voice was getting intense. "He was mad and he gave up drawing, then later his little sister told him it was vase-ish drawing. She said it was her favorite."

"Is it something Ms. Brown read in the classroom?" I asked.
"Yes. The title is ish," said my daughter. 

I knew something sparkle had occurred in her mind. Knowing my 5-year-old daughter well, I had to check it out to make myself understood as well. This is ish by Peter H. Reynolds.

What's the story? 

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.(less)                                                                                   - An excerpt from Goodreads    

Once again I experienced the sheer power of children's book. I found myself very lucky to get to know this beautifully illustrated book, combined with depth of messages. On the corner of my head, I hoped to be read it when I was little. One more thing, its message wasn't for only children. As a parent, as a writer, as a wife, I'm living in 24/7 stress-generated life. I am easily discouraged by negative remark or result. I am trying real hard to make everything "right", but often I ask to myself "what is really right?" 

After a few research about Peter H. Reynolds, I think I'm deeply inspired by his work and his career. Thanks Peter for doing what you are passionate about. 

My daughter's "ish" drawing. This makes me happy. :)