Skip to main content

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

By

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.




Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Faker

By
Faker By Gordon Korman New York: Scholastic Press, 2024. Fiction. 214 pages. 12-year-old Trey is used to starting over at a new school -- he has the routine perfectly memorized: make new friends, introduce his dad to the wealthy parents of his new friends, and "Houdini" themselves out of there before they get caught running their latest scam. Trey's dad is a master con artist, and Trey has just been promoted to full-partner. Their new scheme for the next big score brings them to the affluent suburb of Boxelder, TN where Trey's dad has cooked up a fake electric car company for investors to buy into. The only problem is that Trey is starting to grow tired of moving around and never putting down roots, especially after forming a fast friendship with Logan and developing a crush on Kaylee, a socially conscious girl in his class. As Trey longs for a normal life, is there any way he can convince his dad to get out of the family business? Gordon Korman is a perennial favorit...
Post a Comment
Read more

You Need to Read: Percy Jackson

By
I was a kid myself when  The Lightning Thief  by Rick Riordan was published, and it didn't take long for the Percy Jackson series to take the world by storm. Being the son of a Poseidon, Percy Jackson has some unique challenges as a half-blood. Here's some books that I think could've helped Percy when he was on his adventures trying to save the world: Greeking Out: Heroes and Olympians Written by Kenny Curtis and Jillian Hughes Illustrated by Javier Espila Washington D.C.: National Geographic, 2024. Informational. 191 pages. Percy, I know Chiron did a good job teaching you about mythology in Latin class, but this book is sure to be good to have on hand while you're traveling across the United States. Greeking Out  is written in a kid-friendly voice with vivid illustrations and a sometimes-snarky tone (much like Percy himself). It also presents real-life creatures and places along with the information about Greek mythology. The Homework Squad's ADHD Guide to School S...
Post a Comment
Read more

If You Like...Ladybugs

By
Spring is almost upon us! We'll have more rain instead of snow, flowers will start blooming, and more bugs will be out. Ladybugs are some of the prettiest insects--and the least intimidating for those more wary of bugs. If you like ladybugs, check out these books! Ladybugs Do Not Go to Preschool Written by Ali Rutstein Illustrated by NinĢ‹a Nill Richmond, VA: Bright Light, 2024. Picture Book. Ravi loves ladybugs--he eats aphids instead of cornflakes for breakfast, brushes his mandibles instead of teeth, and has a ladybug costume complete with wings and antennae. He is certain that ladybugs don't have to go to preschool, and when Mom says that Ravi still has to go to school, he is nervous. However, thanks to Mom's patience and gentle encouragement, Ravi makes some new friends and realizes that preschool might be a good place for ladybugs after all. A Perfect Spot By Isabelle Simler Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2022. Picture Book. A ladybug is ready to ...
Post a Comment
Read more