Book cover for Art Lab for Kids: 52 Creative Adventures in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Paper, and Mixed Media-For Budding Artists of All Ages

Art Lab for Kids: 52 Creative Adventures in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Paper, and Mixed Media-For Budding Artists of All Ages

Schwake, Susan
Call Number: x 747 S3975
A book that intends to replicate attending an art class.  This guide (which may be best used by caretakers and children together) tells the reader how to create an art studio space and then gives the instructions and materials needed for 52 open-ended creative art projects (such as fingertip painting, stencil making, vegetable prints, etc.)
Book cover for Draw!

Draw!

Colon, Raul.
Call Number: xz

This wordless picture book depicts a boy, alone in his bedroom, drawing an African safari adventure.  As he creates pictures of hippopotamuses, elephants, and lions his imagination also transports him right into the action alongside the animals and African landscape.  A stunning tribute to the ability of art and creativity to take you anywhere.

 
Book cover for Guide to photography

Guide to photography

Honovich, Nancy,
Call Number: x 770 H774

Nancy Honovich, along with National Geographic photographer Annie Griffiths, provides information about many photographic concepts such as lighting aperture and depth of field.  There are also tips and secrets of the trade, as well as exercises (such as photographing groups, telling stories with photographs, etc.) that children can have fun experimenting with.

 
Book cover for How to draw scary monsters and other mythical creatures

How to draw scary monsters and other mythical creatures

Call Number: x 741 H8475-11

A guide to drawing monsters that uses step-by-step instructions.  You can draw Frankenstein’s monster, the abominable snowman, dragons, and more!  

 

Book cover for The iridescence of birds : a book about Henri Matisse

The iridescence of birds : a book about Henri Matisse

MacLachlan, Patricia.
Call Number: xz

An imagining of what Henri Matisse’s life was like as a young boy in a Northern industrial town in France.  Henri is inspired by his mother (who encourages his love of beauty and color) and the other people and animals he sees in his world.  The illustrator Hadley Hooper used relief printing to create artwork with colorful shapes that is reminiscent of Matisse.

 
Book cover for Learn to draw Disney's classic animated movies

Learn to draw Disney's classic animated movies

Call Number: x 741.5 L4385-11

This book uses visual step-by-step instructions to show you how to draw characters from Disney’s classic animated films.

 
Book cover for Niko draws a feeling

Niko draws a feeling

Raczka, Bob,
Call Number: xz

K - Grade 3

Budding artist Niko has an expressionistic flair that baffles literal-minded friends and grown-ups, including his parents who are of different races. A new neighbor girl understands his work and they become friends. Simply and beautifully told, with stunning yet child-like illustrations that should make it a contender for the Caldecott Award.  
Book cover for Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat

Steptoe, Javaka
Call Number: x 92 B316St

Author and Illustrator Javaka Steptoe paints brightly colored scenes of Basquiat’s life and artistic career on textured pieces of wood. This book won the Caldecott medal in 2017 and combines an artist’s biography with the message to children that they can create art based from their own stories and life experiences.  

 
Book cover for Recipes for play : creative activities for small hands and big imaginations

Recipes for play : creative activities for small hands and big imaginations

Sumner, Rachel, 1982-
Call Number: x 747 S956

This book celebrates experimentation and making a (structured) mess.  It is intended for toddlers and pre-schoolers, but could also be used by older children.  It includes many art activities that are focused on exploring your senses and experimenting with textures and chemical reactions.  You can make your own papier mâché, paint using yogurt, or learn how to make natural colors and dyes from household vegetables and spices.

 

Book cover for Roy's house

Roy's house

Rubin, Susan Goldman,
Call Number: xz

Pre-K & up

A whimsical introduction to pop-artist Roy Lichtenstein. Rubin's narration enthusiastically invites readers to visit "Roy's house,"depicted through the artist's own works. The simple text pairs well with the vibrant iconic images, giving one the sense of entering a comic book. An author's note gives brief background on Lichtenstein and a concise list of the featured paintings.

 

 
Book cover for What's Your Favorite Color?

What's Your Favorite Color?

Carle, Eric
Call Number: x 701 C278

Famed children’s book illustrator Eric Carle and 14 of his fellow illustrator friends each pick their favorite color and offer a beautiful artwork featuring it. What’s Your Favorite Color? celebrates the power of creativity and imagination, while offering vibrant comparisons of different artistic styles.