Oh! The Places You’ll Go at Isabella Bird Community School: Books and Brushes workshop
The end of the school year is always a bittersweet time—a blend of reflection, celebration, and excitement for what’s next. On May 25, 2025, we wrapped up the academic year with a vibrant Books and Brushes workshop at Isabella Bird Community School in Denver. Hosted just as students were preparing to close one chapter and begin another, this event felt especially meaningful as we explored one of the most iconic picture books about transitions and new beginnings: Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss.
What is ‘Books and Brushes’?
Books and Brushes is a one-of-a-kind literary arts workshop that blends storytelling with hands-on creativity. The concept is simple but powerful: we begin with a story and extend its life beyond the pages. Each session includes a carefully selected picture book followed by art and craft activities inspired by its theme. It’s where reading meets making, and thinking meets doing. Find out more about these workshops here.
Our pick : Oh! The Places you’ll Go by Dr Suess
The choice of Oh, the Places You’ll Go! was deliberate and deeply fitting. This book has long been an anthem of empowerment and adventure. It doesn’t shy away from the bumps in the road—“Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you”—but always circles back to hope and spirit on going on. Through our reading, we discussed what it means to try something new, face uncertainty, and keep moving forward. 
Book inspired activity: Paper Parachutes
Children created paper parachutes, inspired by the journey theme in Oh, the Places You’ll Go!. Using brightly colored paper balloons cut into parachute shapes, each child layered pieces to build their own unique design. On every layer of the parachute, they wrote down their “hang-ups and bang-ups”—the challenges they faced during the school year—and their thoughts on how they hoped to rise above them. It became a beautiful exercise in self-reflection and goal-setting, as students decorated their parachutes with words and drawings that expressed their hopes for growth and new adventures. These parachutes, filled with color and courage, served as heartfelt souvenirs—marking both the end of one chapter and the exciting lift-off into the next.
As Books and Brushes continues to grow, events like these reinforce why we do what we do. Bringing stories to life through art not only strengthens comprehension and expression—it gives children tools to see the world through their own lens. We’re proud to partner with schools like Isabella Bird that understand the power of picture books and creative thinking.
Here’s to new beginnings, big dreams, and bright colors. And as Dr. Seuss so wisely said:
“You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so… get on your way!”
