The Child That Loves Art: Book List
On Sunday Morning a member of the Kids Lit 411 Facebook group posted a request for picture books that included the main character as an artist. Immediately the authors on the site started pouring on the list of fabulous books you can use to inspire kids that love art. It goes to show that authors know the work of their fellow writers. It also shows that the life of an artist is inspiration material. I hope you find this list enjoyable.
The following list is Z – A order because far too many lists are the other way around.
Willow, by Denise Brennan-Nelson
When Pigasso Met Mootisse, by Nina Laden
What Color is Fred, by Jean Helprin Diehl
Vincent Paints His House, by Tedd Arnold
The Noisy Paintbox, by Barb Rosenstock
The Sky Painter: Louis Fuertes, Bird Artist, by Margarita Engle
The Secret Life of Walter Anderson, by Hester Bass.
The Painter and the Wild Swans, by Claude Clement
The Iridescence of Birds: A Book about Henri Matisse, by Patricia MacLachlan
The Incredible Painting of Felix Closseau
The Dot, by Peter H. Reynolds
The Big Orange Splot, by D. Manus Pinkwater
The Artist and the King, by Julie Fortenberry
The Art Lesson, by Tomie dePaola.
Sophie’s Masterpiece, by Eileen Spinelli
Shmulik Paints the Town, by Lisa Rose
Quest, by Aaron Becker
Ozzie and the Art Contest, by Dana Sullivan
Oliva, by Ian Flaconer
My Dog Thinks I’m a Genius, by Harriet Ziefert.
Mix it up, by Herve Tullet
Meet Sidney Nolan, by Yvonne Mes
Matthew’s Dream, by Leo Lionni
Lumpito and the Painter from Spain, by Monica Kulling
Luis Paints the World, by Terry Farish
Louise Loves Art, by Kelly Light
Journey by Aaron Becker
Jake Makes A World: Jacob Lawrence, A Young Artist in Harlem, by Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts
Ish (Creatrilogy), by Peter H. Reynolds
In Mary’s Garden, by Tina and Carson Kugler
Iggy Peck Architect, by Andrea Beaty
I’m the Best Artist in the Ocean, by Kevin Sherry
I Will Never Get a Star on Mrs. Benson’s Blackboard, by Jennifer Mann
I Gotta Draw, by Bruce Degen
I Ain’t Gonna Paint No More!, by Karen Beaumont
Harold and the Purple Crayon, by Crockett Johnson
Grandpa Green, by Lane Smith
Frida, by Jonah Winter
Fancy Nancy, Aspiring Artist, by Jane O’connor
Emily’s Blue Period, by Cathleen Daly
Ellie, by Mike Wu
Bridget’s Beret, by Tom Lichtenheld
Ben Draws Trouble, by Matt Davies.
Artist Ted, by Andrea Beaty
Art and Max, by David Wiesner
A Splash of Red, by Jen Bryant
A Blue so Blue, by Jean-FranCois Dumont