I Gotta Draw
on Goodreads (104)
What’s inside...
Charlie Muttnik is the pup with the pencil, the mutt with the marker, the dog with the drawing pad, the chap with the chalk! He draws all the time. But when Charlie doodles all over his homework, there's trouble at school. It's only when his strict teacher, Miss Rich, tries something new that both realize Charlie can be a great artist at school and at home.
Discussion points
What do you think Charlie would draw next? Why?
How did the drawings make Charlie feel? Have you ever felt that way?
Why is it important for Charlie to keep drawing, even when others might not understand his art?
How do the colorful pictures in the book make you feel?
Can you think of a time when you created something special and wanted to share it with others? What was it?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book, validating their opinions to foster a sense of self-esteem.
Discuss the emotions depicted in the book and relate them to real-life situations your child might encounter, enhancing emotional intelligence.
Use the illustrations in the book as a prompt to encourage your child to draw their own picture, reinforcing the theme of creativity.
Ask your child to describe their favorite part of the book and why, which can help improve their verbal articulation and storytelling skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The value of self-expression
Explanation: In 'I Gotta Draw', the main character showcases his unstoppable urge to draw everything around him, illustrating the importance of expressing oneself through art.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to explore and express their feelings and thoughts through drawing, helping them improve their emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Persistence
Explanation: The protagonist continues to draw despite various situations that could have discouraged him, teaching children the importance of persisting with their passions.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in children’s daily activities, such as persisting with difficult tasks at school or learning new skills, fostering resilience.
Example Lesson: Creativity as a skill
Explanation: The character's creative solutions in the story highlight how creativity is not just for art but can be used in problem-solving.
Real-World Application: Children learn to use their imagination not just in artistic pursuits but also in everyday problem-solving and in academic subjects, enhancing their critical thinking abilities.
Example Lesson: Respect for individual talents
Explanation: The book portrays how the main character’s unique drawing ability is appreciated by others, emphasizing the importance of respecting and valuing everyone’s unique skills and talents.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to appreciate their own unique abilities and those of others, promoting a supportive and inclusive environment at school and at home.
Example Lesson: Joy in learning
Explanation: Through the character’s enthusiastic engagement with drawing, the book conveys that learning and personal development can be a source of joy.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to find joy in their educational journey, making learning a more enjoyable and fulfilling experience.