To the Reader
This is a list of popular children's books and classic children's books books I have used with children at K12 grades to introduce an artist, art concept or process. There is such an incredible volume of art books geared for children on the market today (a recent Amazon search turned up numbers in the thousands) that I decided to focus on books I have actually seen and enjoyed. The books on this list will surely reveal some of my biases and interests in the vast territory of the visual arts.
I have only included books that I have actually seen and reviewed personally. Keep in mind that I consider this list a "work in progress," but wanted to complete this draft and fulfill my promise of sharing it. I hope that you and your students will find these artists, art works, and stories as rich and inspiring as I have. And perhaps some of these books will help your children to make connections between the "world of art" and their own world.
Looking at Art
From my background in museum education, I know how valuable it is to have direct experiences with works of art. The experience of standing before a painting or sculpture and knowing its scale, texture, and visual presence can not be substituted. It is a direct communication between the work and the viewer, and any intermediary alters the experience. A photographic reproduction in a book or on a poster is just that and so much is lost and/or altered in translation including true color, texture, and scale. However, not all of us have easy access to museums. Second best is learning from reproductions and text. Using the many languages of art--drawing, painting, assembling, forming, etc.--comes naturally to young children, yet they can learn so much from artists and artisans from across the globe, past and present. When we introduce these masters, either through stories or reproductions of their creations, children can broaden their world of inspiration and imagination.
My Suggestions on Using These Books
When reading a storybook about an artist to children, particularly one that relies on illustrations and not reproductions of the artists' work, I recommend showing reproductions of the artists' work afterward whenever possible. I also advise talking to children about the difference between a photographic reproduction of, say, a painting, and the original. To make the difference clear I like to bring a sample oil painting so the children may see and even touch the texture of the paint on canvas and compare it to the image on the poster or in the book.
Lastly, and most importantly, I hope you enjoy the process of exploring the arts with children!
"My Painted House, My Chicken, and Me," by Maya Angelou, Margaret Courtney-Clarke (Photographer), Crown Publisher (1994)
Open the pages of this book and meet Thandi, an eight-year-old Ndebele girl from South Africa. As we get to know her and her unusual pet we also learn about the art and culture of the Ndebele people. Author and noted African American poet Maya Angelou narrates this photo-essay in Thandi's voice. The photographs depicting the bold and colorful geometric designs that Ndebele women paint to adorn their houses form the centerpiece of this book.
"Camille and the Sunflowers," by Laurence Anholt, Barrons Juveniles (1994)
"One day a strange man arrived in Camille's town. He had a straw hat and a yellow beard…" With bold watercolor illustrations and photographs of Van Gogh's work throughout, this book tells an engaging story of the young Camille and his fascination with the artist who comes to his small town in southern France. The townspeople taunt Camille and his artist friend, whose works they do not understand or appreciate, finally forcing Van Gogh to leave.
Camille and his father, the postman Roulin, truly were known to Van Gogh, who painted both their portraits during his stay in the south of France. A biographical synopsis of Van Gogh's life is provided at the end of the story.
"When Clay Sings," by Byrd Baylor, Tom Bahti (Illustrator), Aladdin Paperbacks (1987)
Clay has its own small voice, and sings. Its song has lasted for thousands of years. And Byrd Bailer's prose poem as simple and powerful as the clay pots, sings too. "When Clay Sings" tells the story of Indian pottery lying in the sands of the desert of the American Southwest. This pottery cries out with stories from the lives, customs, and thoughts of the people. The legacy of their lives is wrapped up in the art. The beautiful Indian artwork on each page matches the lyrical, imagery effect of the text. A great book for introducing children to Indian heritage or pottery in general. (Amazon.com review)
It has been a while since I've had this book in hand (hence my reliance on Amazon to refresh my memory), but I recall the enchanting prose and the striking drawings of images (such as the rain bird) from Southwest Indian pottery.
"The Goat in the Rug," by Charles L. Blood, Nancy W. Parker (Illustrator), Aladdin Paperbacks (1990)
This book is about Navajo weaving, from shearing the goat through the process of making a traditional Navajo rug. Children will enjoy the story of Glenmae, a Navajo weaver, and her pet goat as they learn how the goat's wool becomes the material for the woven rug. This is a wonderful book to use with children when introducing tapestry weaving and Native American craft traditions.
"Visiting the Art Museum," by Laurene Krasny Brown, and Marc Brown, E.P. Dutton (1992)
Using humorous cartoon-like illustrations with the text in bubbles, the authors follow a family as they pack up their three young children for a visit to an art museum. As the family wanders from gallery to gallery, they see examples of various art styles from primitive through twentieth century pop art. On each spread is one photograph of an artifact or art work cleverly integrated into the pictorial space. Looking closely, one can find a caption for each photo giving some basic facts about the work pictured. The illustrations are full of details that are best viewed up close. For that reason, this book would not be an effective read-aloud book with a group. The section titled "More about the Art" follows the story and includes information about all of the artwork pictured in each gallery, or two-page spread. The authors conclude the text with fourteen tips for enjoying an art museum with children. This is a fun read and a useful one to pull out before actually bringing children to an art museum.
"Draw Me A Star," by Eric Carle, Paper Star (1998)
"Draw me a star. And the artist drew a star. It was a good star. Draw me a sun, said the star. And the artist drew a sun." No list of art books for children would be complete without at least one title by the gifted author and illustrator Eric Carle. This title has Carle's characteristic torn tissue collage illustrations that are so vivid, visually stimulating, and inspiring to young and old alike. This book celebrates imagination and the creative vision of the artist.
"Liang and the Magic Paintbrush," Demi, Henry Holt (1988)
A poor boy that longs to paint is given a magic paintbrush that brings to life whatever he pictures. This book's detailed ink and watercolor illustrations are reminiscent of Chinese scholar painting. This is a magical story that is sure to engage the interests of young reader/listeners.
"Maria Making Pottery," by Hazel Hyde, Sunstone Press (1991)
In the author's words, "This is a picture-story about Maria Martinez, the most famous of all Indian potters and her husband Julian." Using black and white photographs taken by the author in the 1930s, this book explains how Maria and Julian make their pottery, from digging clay from the earth to decorating and firing in a simple outdoor fire pit.
Apart from the cover, there are few close-up photographs of the pottery itself. This little booklet is about the process, one that is sure to fascinate reader/listeners. One of the most ancient of human technologies, clay pottery is a compelling medium for children. This book gives a window on the pottery tradition of the native people of the American southwest.
"Round Buildings, Square Buildings, & Buildings that Wiggle Like a Fish," by Philip Isaacson, Knopf (1994)
Author and photographer Phillip Isaacson takes the reader on a personal tour of buildings and structures the world over. The photographs include fortresses, bridges, air terminals, mills, cliff dwellings, tombs, and lighthouses of note. At just over 100 pages of text and vivid color photographs, this book is not a one-time read, but can be visited by children at different junctures as they explore world architecture. The text accompanying the photos is very descriptive. It's a wonderful book for learning to look at man-made structures and how they interact with their environment.
"A Short Walk Around the Pyramids & Through the World of Art," by Philip Isaacson, Knopf (1993)
This book presents a broad view of the world of art. Inclusive of decorative and functional arts as well as the so-called "fine" arts, this book jumps through space and time to call our attention to the ways artists have used materials to create expressive and functional works of art. The book's format is consistent with his previous book for children (above). Like Round Buildings, Square Buildings…, this is an excellent resource book full of images that will surely generate much discussion.
"Roarrr: Calder's Circus," Myra Kalman, Whitney Museum of American Art, Delacorte Press (1991)
With a combination of photographs of Calder's wire and found object circus figures and a text that leaps, twirls, and bounds across the page, this book really brings Calder's Circus to life. The text language is playful and recreates some of the acts Calder performed for small audiences of friends beginning in 1926. With wonderful characters like the lion and his human tamer, the opera singer, and the acrobats called "flying flippolinis," this book is sure to inspire children to explore the world of found object sculpture.
Alexander Calder (1898-1976), the artist credited with inventing the mobile, or moving sculpture, is really a wonderful artist to introduce to young children, both for his inventive use of materials and the introduction of motion into his 3-D works. Calder's Circus has a permanent place of honor in the lobby of the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City.
"Emma," by Wendy Kesselman, Barbara Cooney (Illustrator), Econo-Clad Books (1999)
With sensitive and insightful gouache (opaque watercolor) illustrations by Barbara Cooney, this book tells the story of an old woman that begins to paint at the age of 72. Inspired by a real woman named Emma who portrays the world she knows best in a naive painting style that is reminiscent of Grandma Moses. Through her art she renews her life, surrounding herself with images of the people and places she loves. This is a book that reminds us that the intimate world we know can be subject matter for our art, and that it's never too late to begin.
"Little Blue and Little Yellow," by Leo Lionni, Mulberry Books (1995)
This book portrays two rough-edged shapes, one blue and one yellow that become friends. Children will relate to their experience, as the two color shapes play, go to school, and have an adventure together. This book can be used to introduce basic color mixing concepts. It is also a sensitive tale of how we are changed by those we love, yet ultimately remain ourselves. The illustrations are fanciful torn-edged shapes and are as simple as illustrations can be. This is a classic Leo Lionni picture book.
"Matthew's Dream," by Leo Lionni, Knopf (1995)
This storybook is about a young mouse that visits an art museum only to discover that his whole perspective on life has changed. This book, with its characteristic Leo Lionni torn paper mice and wonderful, vivid, and often abstract images of "museum art" encourages children to find and follow their own true dreams. (Thanks to Tom Drummond and Sue from the Reggio List who both recommended this book!)
"I Spy: An Alphabet in Art," by Lucy Micklethwait, Mulberry Books (1992)
"I spy with my little eye something that begins with A." So begins this alphabet book illustrated with full-page photographs of master works of Western painting, from Botticelli to David Hockney and much in between. The "I spy" game is a fun way to introduce young children to looking for details within works of art. This is a great "lap book" for the very young child and a visual resource for the classroom.
"Tar Beach," by Faith Ringgold, Dragonfly Books (1996)
This book is based on contemporary African-American artist Faith Ringgold's story quilt of the same title. The acrylic on canvas paper illustrations are true to the quasi-primitive style of her painted quilts which are surrounded by a patchwork border of brightly colored and patterned fabric squares. Readers can enter the imagination of the story's heroine, eight year old Cassie Louise Lightfoot, as she imagines herself flying over the sparkling lights of New York City at night. This book is a wonderful inspiration for those who aspire to paint their dreams. The actual quilt, along with a short biographical sketch of the artist, can be found at the book's end.
"Inspirations: Stories about Women Artists," by Leslie Sills, Albert Whitman & Co. (1988)
This book has good quality full-page reproductions of the artists' work accompanied by concise and informative biographical information. Although not a "read-aloud" book, this book is good for researching the biographies of these 20th century women artists.
"My Name is Georgia: A Portrait by Jeanette Winter," Silver Whistle (1998)
In the author's words "In making this portrait of Georgia O'Keefe for young readers, I have tried to imagine her life as autobiography. Although the illustrations are my own, they have been done in homage to her art and include many of the images she herself used." (J.W.) This book portrays the artist as the independent spirit she is reported to have been. We follow her from her girlhood in Wisconsin, through her schooling, on her journey to New York City, and to the New Mexico desert where she finally makes her home. Personal details such as her relationship and subsequent marriage to Alfred Steiglitz, the photographer and gallery owner, are left out of the text. O'Keefe's love for nature and eccentric ways are vividly portrayed. This book is sure to inspire young readers with similar passions.
"Lines, Colors, Shapes, Stories," by Philip Yenawine, Museum of Modern Art, N.Y. Delacorte Press (1991)
"This is a series of books on modern art created to help very young people learn the basic vocabulary used by artists, a sort of ABC of art," says author Philip Yenawine. These books introduce master works from M.O.M.A.'s collection from the Impressionists and Cezanne through the various modern styles of the 1960's. The full-page color reproductions are of excellent quality.
The art is used to engage children in active looking. There is also a prompt as each text draws to a close that encourages child readers to do their own art. "Do you have any secrets or mysteries to draw? Any funny stories to tell in pictures?" (Stories, p.22)
At the back of each volume is an index of all works in the text with a black and white photo and factual information about the art and artist who created it. This series provides an opportunity for children the world over to engage with this important collection of twentieth century art works.
"The Wonderful Towers of Watts," by Patricia Zelver, Frane Lessac (Illustrator) Tambourine Books (1996)
The creation of the Watts Towers, a unique piece of American folk art by the Italian immigrant Simon Rodia, is the subject of this lovely story. A story remembered from my own childhood (though I have yet to visit the actual towers), the mystery of these magical towers is vividly told from the point of view of children observing "Old Sam" at work in the poor neighborhood of Los Angeles known as Watts. Using bits of broken tile, seashells, colored glass, mirrors, the beautiful mosaic of spires rises above a fence as the neighbors watch and wonder. This story is a testament to the power of one man's vision and determination, and is sure to fascinate and inspire young readers/listeners.
Robin Brooks is a veteran art teacher.