Top 7 Picture Books to Encourage Young Artists

 

When I became a teacher I just automatically assumed that all my students would be thrilled when it was time for art.  I remember how excited I was every time we had art projects in school as a kid.  I loved it even more than recess and lunch, which is saying a lot! However, to my astonishment quite a few of my students were not at all eager to start art projects and some tried to avoid them entirely.  So, I read my students “The Dot” by Peter Reynolds and emphasized that there is no perfect or truly correct standard when it comes to the free expression of art and things started to change in my classroom at art time.  It was a lovely reminder of the influence well-written children’s books can have.  With that inspiration in mind, I decided to share seven of my favorite books for encouraging young artists and hope they help you either encourage a reluctant artist or foster more love for art in your kiddos.

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The Dot by Peter Reynolds.  This is the most perfect book I have ever come across for the reluctant young artist.  It is about a little girl who is discouraged and thinks she isn’t an artist until one fabulous teacher helps her realize that anything she creates is beautiful and worth the title of art.

Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhoodby F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell Illustrated by Rafael Lopez. This is an inspiriting story about a young girl who brings her community together to transform her gray and dull neighborhood into a vibrant one full of art and happiness.  I especially love how it is based on a true story and with the illustrator being the man who did the murals in the city this book is inspired by. So neat!

Louise Loves Art by Kelly Light. Louise is a gal who just loves art.  She is thrilled when she completes her biggest masterpiece of her pet cat.  However, shortly after its finished her little brother, who wants to be just liker her, cuts it up into his own piece of art.  This is a great story of love, not only for art, but family.

Ellie by Mike Wu. This is the story of a little elephant named Ellie who wants so badly to contribute in the efforts to save her zoo from closing, but feels she has no talents of her own to offer.  Then she discovers that she can do her part through art and painting.  A lovely story on self-discovery as well as art.

I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More! (Ala Notable Children’s Books. Younger Readers (Awards))by Karen Beaumont and Illustrated by David Catrow.  This is a simple and silly book about a little boy who just cant help his urge to paint.  So, he paints and paints and paints until he’s made a gigantic mess.  This one is sure to have your kids giggling.

The Pencil  by Allan Ahlberg and Illustrated by Bruce Ingman.  This book has quite a bit more text than all the others, but it is so clever and fun to read!  It is about a pencil who discovers that its creations come to life.  It becomes more fun when he draws a paintbrush to add color to his drawn world and becomes problematic when he creates an eraser that wants to wipe it all away.  This book is so creative!

Monsters Love Colors by Mike Austin.  My little guy adores this one.  The illustrations are super bright and tons of fun.  Not-t0-mention the text contains phrases that are a blast to say like “super tropical mega monster rainbow swirl with raspberry on top!”  It is also a great introduction for the primary and secondary colors.

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