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Books to Read When.... You're Feeling Artsy

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Sometimes you just feeling inspired to create. The art seems to just pour out of you. Other times, you stare at the blank page and wonder where you could even start. Wherever your child is in this creative process, here are some picture books about their favorite art supplies that may cause inspiration to strike.

Leo and the Pink Marker
By Mariyka Foster
Atlanta, GA: Peachtree Publishing Company Inc., 2024. Picture Book.

While his moms are busy at work in the junkyard, Leo begins to doodle with a marker. Pretty soon he's finished off his coloring book and is forced to move on to the mailbox, the front door, the cat, and eventually all of the junk in the junkyard. Leo's parents celebrate when they discover he has added color to the whole world. After reading this book your child will be so inspired to create, you may need to warn them that walls are off limits.

Poppy's Perfect Crayons
By Sally Anne Garland
Minneapolis, MN: Beaming Books, 2024. Picture Book.

Poppy has a brand new, never-been-used pack of crayons. They are perfect in every way. So when it comes time to use them in class, Poppy can't bear to ruin her beautiful pack of crayons. So instead of using her new crayons, she borrows old crayons from her classmates. But when she is one color short of completing her masterpiece, will she use her new crayons or leave her work undone? All kids will be able to relate to the magic of opening a new box of crayons.

The Last Two Crayons
Written by Leah Freeman-Haskin
Illustrated by Shantala Robinson
Toronto: Groundwood Books, 2023. Picture Book.

Sienna is looking forward to creating an artwork for the spring art show. But when it comes time to choose her supplies, all that's left for her are two crayons, one light brown and one dark brown. Although one kid teases that she'll only be able to draw mud and dog poop, other classmates encourage her to draw chocolate ice cream and a bear. In the end, Sienna feels that no subject matter is quite right, until she decides to draw her family. This book is an accessible way to talk to kids about race, as well as a great way to spark imagination about how art can still be created even without expensive or abundant resources.

Creepy Crayon
Written by Aaron Reynolds
Illustrated by Peter Brown
New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2022. Picture Book.

In this book, Jasper Rabbit is thrilled to have a crayon that will do his schoolwork for him, acing all of the tests that he didn't study for. But soon, the crayon begins to have a will of its own, writing creepy messages on the mirror and coming back no matter how hard Jasper tries to destroy it. Kids who like a little creep out without it being too scary will love this book.

When Glitter Met Glue
Written by Karen Kilpatrick
Illustrated by German Blanco
New York: Henry Holt, 2022. Picture Book.

Glue has been feeling invisible lately. It's like no one even sees her. She's happy to help her friends create art with popsicle sticks and googly eyes, but occasionally she wants to be front and center like Pencil and Markers. But when she decides to help Glitter stick to the page, Glue will learn what it's like to be noticed. For kids finding their individuality through art, this one is a winner.




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