book nook: art
4-8 Years
Richard Scarry's Colors by Richard Scarry
Familiar characters and bright and fun illustrations help the youngest children learn the basic color concepts as they have fun navigating through the world created by Richard Scarry.
The Color Kittens by Margaret Wise Brown
A classic more than 50 years in the making about two adorable kittens and how they fill the world with beautiful colors. Generations after generations have loved the simple story and bright illustrations that fill each page while learning about colors.
A Is for Art: An Abstract Alphabet by Stephen T. Johnson
Imagination, creativity, forging connections between words and objects are all stunningly displayed through painting collages and sculptures. Not only will young children gain an appreciation for different art mediums, they will also strengthen their knowledge about their everyday language skills.
The Art Lesson by Tomie dePaola
Tommy is creative, self-motivating and he loves to draw, but drawing at home is very different from a school’s art class. Young readers will join Tommy on his journey as he learns to overcome struggles of discipline and structured art rules and as he discovers his true passion for art.
Discovering Great Artists: Hands on Art for Children in the Styles of the Great Masters by MaryAnn F. Kohl & Kim Solga
Learn about different artists while trying to create their styles in your own art projects.
Come Look with Me: Enjoying Art with Children by Gladys S. Blizzard
Children can enjoy artwork with children subjects as they reflect on the discussion questions included.
Vincent Van Gogh: Sunflowers and Swirly Stars by Joan Holub
Discover Van Gogh through “Brad’s” art report. You’ll learn about Vincent’s life through the cartoons that Brad draws, while also getting to see Vincent Van Gogh’s famous works of art. Just one book in a series of Brad’s reports on artists.
A Book About Color: A Clear and Simple Guide for Young Artists by Mark Gonyea
By introducing young artists to simple color theory, this book covers primary and secondary colors, warm and cool colors, saturation, and value.
Emily’s Art by Peter Catalanotto
First-grader Emily enters her new favorite painting into an art contest. After the judge chooses Emily’s painting because she thinks it is of a rabbit, then rejects it when she discovers it is actually of a painting of Emily’s dog, Emily buries the painting and vows never to paint again. Will she?
Art Dog by Thacher Hurd
Arthur Dog guards the Dogopolis art museum by day, but when the moon is full, he becomes Art Dog, the undiscovered artist who fills the city with painted murals. When he is framed for the theft of a masterpiece, he must find a way to paint his way out of jail and catch the real crooks.
Action Jackson by Jan Greenburg and Sandra Jordan
Action Jackson focuses on the creation of Jackson Pollock’s painting Number 1, 1950 (Lavendar Mist). The book includes interesting details and facts about Pollock’s life and influences, as well as quotations from Pollock himself.
Tommaso and the Missing Line by Matteo Pericoli
When a line goes missing from Tommaso’s favorite drawing, he decides to go find it again.
Palazzo Inverso by D.B. Johnson
In a fun tribute to the Dutch artist M.C. Escher, this book tells the story of Mauk, a young apprentice whose master does not allow him to help create the plans for a magnificent palazzo. But one morning, when things go wrong with the plans and the construction of the palazzo, Mauk gets all the blame!
Museum ABC by The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Using traditional associations for each letter of the alphabet, the associations are illustrated beautifully with images of famous paintings.
9-12 Years
Renaissance Art by Stuart A. Kallen
Full-color photographs and diagrams along with interesting descriptions and educational sidebars are all excellent starting points for investigation and discussion about the importance of art, the different art movements throughout our history and the vital restoration of many pieces of artwork for the next generation to enjoy and learn from.
Art Fraud Detective: Spot the Difference, Solve the Crime! by Anna Nilsen
A team of sixteen forgers are suspected of forging 30 of these 34 paintings! Can you spot the fakes?
Bettina Valentino and the Picasso Club by Niki Daly
Bettina Valentino’s favorite new teacher, “Mr. Popart,” opens the world of unconventional art to his fifth-grade students, introducing them to works by artists such as Picasso, Matisse and Klee. But one set of parents does not appreciate unconventional ideas and seek to make trouble for Mr. Popart.
Here’s Looking at Me: How Artists See Themselves by Bob Raczka
Readers may be inspired to create their own self-portraits after pouring through this book containing a wide variety of self-portraits by well-known artists.
Artist in Overalls: The Life of Grant Wood by John Duggleby
Take a closer look at the Midwestern farm boy who was the artist behind this well-known American Gothic painting. His style of painting became known as “Regionalism” and caused critics to give notice and respect to American painters.
Dia’s Story Cloth by Dia Cha
At the heart of this book is a traditional Hmong “story cloth”. The intricate, hand-stitched story cloth depicts the experiences of the author’s family, Hmong fleeing from Laos to a refugee camp in Thailand.
The Aspiring Artist’s Journal by Claude Lapointe
A daily journal that encourages young artists to practice and grow their talent. Each new day in the journal offers advice, tips, and the space for sketching.
Marguerite Makes a Book by Bruce Robertson
Papa Jacques is the best book illustrator in all of Paris, but he is getting old. When he is unable to finish work on an important commissioned piece, his daughter Marguerite takes up where he left off. Contains a wealth of information on 15th-century book illumination.
Leonardo: Beautiful Dreamer by Robert Byrd
This lively biography about the life, work and dreams of Leonardo da Vinci is full of facts, quotations and anecdotes.
A Nest for Celeste: A Story About Art, Inspiration, and the Meaning of Home by Henry Cole
Under the floor boards of Oakley Plantation, a mouse named Celeste lives alone, weaving baskets of grass. When the naturalist John James Audubon and his assistant Joseph move into the house to study and paint the birds of the bayou, Celeste’s world is turned upside down.
The Sixty-Eight Rooms by Marianne Malone
The famous Thorne Rooms, housed in the Chicago Art Institute, are a collection of 68 miniature rooms perfectly crafted in the 1930s by Mrs. James Ward Thorne. Sixth-graders Ruthie and Jack find a key that shrinks them so small they can explore the Thorne Rooms, the adventure begins!
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