Stories can be an engaging teaching tool to supplement your art lesson. Incorporate picture books to inspire creativity, teach an art technique, or introduce an artist.
Select a Section:
Art Books
Elements of Art
Principles of Design
Artists
Art Appreciation
Line
When a Line Bends … A Shape Begins
Author: Rhonda Growler Greene Illustrator: James Kaczman
This book presents ten shapes in picture and verse. Great for connecting art and math and for showing how a closed line becomes a shape.
Harold and the Purple Crayon
Author, Illustrator:
Crockett Johnson
Harold and the Purple Crayon is a classic book that teaches about perspective, imagination, and curiosity. Harold draws his surroundings with his oversized purple crayon and enjoys many adventures. The book shows the many things that can be created with a simple line.
Shape
Snippets:
A Story about Paper Shapes
Author, Illustrator: Diane Alber
A fun story about paper shapes. The main character is excluded but through kindness he can show everyone in the paper place how to get along. In the end, the shapes realize the beauty of being unique and how they are better together than apart.
Form
Round Is a Tortilla: A Book of Shapes
Author: Roseanne Thong Illustrator: John Parra
In Round is a Tortilla: A Book of Shapes, two young children discover the shapes around them. The book includes Spanish vocabulary for items that are familiar in the Latino culture. Repetition, rhyme, and colorful illustrations make this a delightful read.
The Calder Game
Author: Blue Balliett
Illustrator: Brett Helquist
Calder Pillay travels with his father to a remote village in England where he finds a mystery. Why is there a Alexander Calder sculpture in the town square? Calder is strangely drawn to the sculpture, while other people have less-than-friendly feelings towards it. Both the boy and the sculpture seem to be out of place and then, on the same night, they disappear! Calder's friends Petra and Tommy must fly out to help his father find him. But this art mystery book has twists, turns and excitement.
Caution: Calder (main character) strikes up a conversation with a stranger in a public park, decides not to tell his father, and later goes off alone with the man. Tommy and Petra disobey the police, and Tommy steals a wheelbarrow.
Iggy Peck, Architect
Author: Andrea Beaty
Illustrator: David Roberts
Iggy Peck loves to build things and solve problems--sometimes out of the strangest materials. His teacher declares that she is not a fan of architecture. Will Iggy be able to win her over?
Caution: Illustrations include a bare bottom of baby and jewelry on mother.
The Most Magnificent Thing
Author, Illustrator: Ashley Spires
The Most Magnificent Thing tells the story of a girl who tries to create something special. While she makes things all the time, she struggles to make the design in her imagination a reality. This is a story of creativity, perseverance, and dealing with frustration. The picture book connects well with STEAM.
Caution: Illustration depicts dog urinating on one of the girl’s creations.
Color
Mouse Paint
Author, Illustrator: Ellen Walsh
This book introduces the concept of mixing colors through the antics of three white mice. The mice leave the safety of their white paper and jump into three jars of paint: red, blue, and yellow. New colors emerge as the mice step into the different colored puddles of paint.
The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art
Author: Barb Rosenstock Illustrator: Mary GrandPre
A book about Kandinsky’s early life and how he loved painting. It traces his youth and how experimenting with colors made music for him. He was one of the first painters of abstract art.
Texture
Spiky, Slimy, Smooth: What is Texture?
Author, Photographer:
Jane Brocket
This book explores the many textures around us and challenges the reader to consider the different words that could be used to describe the textures picture in the book. Photographs clearly show what is being described.
Soft & Smooth, Rough & Bumpy
Author: Dana Meachen Rau Illustrator: Rick Peterson
This content book about the sense of touch uses descriptive words, science concepts and fun facts.
Space
The Book of Mistakes
Author, Illustrator:
Corinna Luyken
The Book of Mistakes shows how an artist’s mistakes can become a masterpiece. Virtually blank pages are transformed as the artist creates. Some of the illustrations contain fun details that students will enjoy studying more in depth.
Value
Mix It Up!
Author, Photographer:
Hervé Tullet
An interactive picture book for younger students that introduces the concepts of mixing colors and color value. The simple illustrations of bright colors realistically demonstrate the texture of paint. This book encourages children to problem solve what happens when colors mix.
Balance
More Details
Snowflake Bentley
Author: Jacqueline Briggs Martin Illustrator: Mary Azarian
Wilson Bentley spent his life studying and photographing snowflakes. Snowflake Bentley tells the story of his life beginning with his childhood interest in photographing snowflakes. The book includes sidebars of factual information, photographs of Bentley working, and three of his snowflake slides.
Snowflakes in Photographs
Author, Illustrator: W. A. Bentley
A photo collection containing seventy-two of Bentley’s snowflake and spider web images. There is a basic introduction describing Bentley’s process of documentation, but no other words throughout the book.
Caution: The introduction suggests “nature” is a female entity who brought into place design and beauty.
Movement
Degas and the Little Dancer
Author, Illustrator:
Laurence Anholt
A young girl wants to be a ballerina but does not have money for ballet lessons. To earn money, she models for the artist Edgar Degas. This book is a title in the Anholt’s Artists Books for Children series.
The Great Wave:
A Children’s Book Inspired by Hokusai
Author: Veronique Massenot Illustrator: Bruno Pilorget
The story of a boy that gets swept away on a stormy winter’s day.
Caution: Elements of fantasy-smiling and talking fish, fish turns into a talking dragon
Katie and the Starry Night
Author, Illustrator: James Mayhew
Van Gogh’s art comes to life as Katie climbs inside each painting to explore. This book brings art to life in a fun and exciting way.
Caution: Elements of fantasy-character climbs through picture frames and into the paintings.
The Sky Painter: Louis Fuertes
Author: Margarita Engle Illustrator: Aliona Bereghici
Louis dreams of being a bird artist, but his father wants him to become an engineer. Through practice and studying the art of Audubon, Louis draws and paints birds in their natural habitats. He is known as the father of modern bird art, and his art has encouraged wildlife conservation.
Pattern
Nature’s Paintbrush:
The Patterns and Colors Around You
Author, Illustrator:
Susan Stockdale
Simple text and bright illustrations. This book explores various animals in their natural habitats and discusses how pattern and color contribute to camouflage. A wide variety and sizes of animals are discussed.
Unity & Harmony
Linnea in
Monet’s Garden
Author: Christina Björk Illustrator: Lena Anderson
This book shares the journey of a young girl who is fascinated by the paintings of Claude Monet. Accompanied by her elderly neighbor, Linnea travels to France and is able to visit Monet’s home and the beloved Japanese bridge found in his paintings. Linnea also goes to see several museums which house famous pieces of Monet’s work. Watercolor illustrations and historic photographs are found throughout the book.
Cautions: Mr. Bloom packs wine in the picnic lunch. Monet and Camille have a son prior to being wed.
Portion & Scale
Built to Last
Author, Illustrator:
David Macaulay
This is a compilation of three books written and illustrated by David MaCaulay. The types of structures described include castles, cathedrals, and mosques. The illustrations are extremely detailed and focus is given on how the buildings were created to last, and thus our appreciation of them should continue--building something well, and leaving something of consequence behind us for the next generation. A resource that combines engineering, history, and gorgeous artwork.
Artists
Edward Hopper Paints His World
Author: Robert Burleigh Illustrator: Wendell Minor
This book explores the inspirations that an artist uses to create his work.
Uncle Andy’s: A Faabbbulous Visit with Andy Warhol
Author, Illustrator: James Warhola
Written by Andy Warhol’s nephew, this book gives you a glimpse into what it was like to step into the world of the artist.
Caution: The book uses the word darn and also mentions eating salami, attending parties, and going to an art class on Saturdays.
Action Jackson
Authors: Jan Greenberg and
Sandra Jordan
Illustrator: Robert Andrew Parker
Action Jackson tells about the life of Jackson Pollock and the way in which he worked. It includes a reproduction of one of his works as well as a short biography.
Caution: The biography mentions Pollock punching the coach and his struggle with alcoholism.
One of the illustrations includes an image of a gun.
Me and Uncle Romie: A Story Inspired by the Life and Art of Romare Bearden
Author: Claire Hartfield Illustrator: Jerome Lagarrigue
This book shares the story of Harlem Renaissance artist Romare Bearden through the eyes of his nephew, James, who visits the city from North Carolina. While James’s aunt shows him the sights of the city, Uncle Romie works to finish paintings for his upcoming art show. The book includes thumbnail reproductions of Bearden’s work.
Caution: Mentions eating bacon.
Through Georgia’s Eyes
Author: Rachel Rodríguez Illustrator: Julie Paschkis
The story of Georgia O’Keeffe from her childhood in Wisconsin to the colorful landscape of New Mexico. The book invites the reader to see the world through the eyes of the artist.
Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos
Author: Monica Brown Illustrator: John Parra
A story about the Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo, and the animals that inspired the work throughout her life.
Caution: Includes images of skeletons and references an imaginary friend.
Artists and Their Pets: True Stories of Famous Artists and Their Animal Friends
Author: Susie Hodge
Illustrator: Violet Lemay
For centuries, artists around the world have enjoyed the company of pets. This book highlights 20 artists and the animal friends in their lives that brought them joy and companionship. The reader will gain insight into both the personal and professional lives of each artists featured.
Caution: Some of the artists had rocky marriages leading to divorce which the book mentions. However, it does not go into detail and simply talks about the human/animal companionship. An abstract replication of one of Picasso’s paintings shows nude figures. Book discusses Frida’s pets and how they were her mystic good luck charms. One image depicts half Frida, half deer with arrows burrowing into the creature’s side.
The Boy Who Drew Birds:
A Story of John James Audubon
Author: Jacqueline Davies Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
This book focuses on a short period of Audubon’s youth and shares his interest in birds and their migration habits.
Charley Harper:
An Illustrated Life
Author: Todd Oldham
Illustrator: Charlie Harper
This book shares an overview of the work of American modernist Charley Harper. The 425 page monograph includes script, insects, advertisement, murals, paintings, posters and an interview between the artist and illustrator. Print in the book is very small.
American Gothic: The Life of
Grant Wood
Author: Susan Wood
Illustrator: Ross MacDonald
American Gothic tells the story of how Grant Wood became the father of regionalism. When Grant studied art in Europe, he was not touched by the styles of impressionism, cubism, or abstract art. In walking through a museum in Germany, Grant was moved by how the works of the Gothic period told the stories of real lives. He took the Gothic style home and celebrated the lives of hard-working Americans through his paintings. The end of the book contains the author’s note and a timeline with more information about Grant Wood’s life.
Mary Cassatt: Extraordinary Impressionist Painter
Author: Barbara Herkert Illustrator: Gabi Swiatkowska
This book tells about the life of Mary Cassatt who wanted to be an artist during a time when proper girls were not artist. Mary meets Edgar Degas and joins his group of independent artists.
The Noisy
Paint Box
Author: Barb Rosenstock Illustrator: Mary Grandpré
A book about Kandinsky’s early life and how he loved painting. It traces his youth and how experimenting with colors made music for him. He was one of the first painters of abstract art.
Degas and the Little Dancer
Author, Illustrator:
Laurence Anholt
A young girl wants to be a ballerina but does not have money for ballet lessons. To earn money, she models for the artist Edgar Degas. This book is a title in the Anholt’s Artists Books for Children series.
Katie and the Starry Night
Author: James Mayhew
Van Gogh’s art comes to life as Katie climbs inside each painting to explore. This book brings art to life in a fun and exciting way.
Caution: Elements of fantasy-character climbs through picture frames and into the paintings.
The Sky Painter: Louis Fuertes
Author: Margarita Engle Illustrator: Aliona Bereghici
Louis dreams of being a bird artist, but his father wants him to become an engineer. Through practice and studying the art of Audubon, Louis draws and paints birds in their natural habitats. He is known as the father of modern bird art, and his art has encouraged wildlife conservation.
Art Appreciation
My Museum
Author, Illustrator: Joanne Liu
A simply illustrated book with no words. The author/illustrator conveys the theme of a young child wandering through a museum discovering for himself patterns, shadows, shapes, emotions, and colors in a way that can only be done through a child’s eyes.
Caution: The cover includes an image of a nude painting and nude sculpture. The image is repeated later in the book. Also, includes an image of a man with a large tattoo with a skull.
Art and
How it Works:
An Introduction to Art for Children
Author: Ann Kay
Illustrator/Designer: Jim Green
From cave paintings to modern design, this book has it all in terms of art history and visual appeal. The reader will be introduced to a wide variety of art terms, techniques, and the styles of the masters. Especially beneficial is the timeline and glossary of terms found at the end.
Caution: Nudity in the background of the image of one painting.
Every resource book has been carefully vetted; however, teachers are encouraged to review each book before introducing it to the classroom. Reviewers have provided potential concerns for teachers to consider. Teachers should use their good judgement as to whether or not the resource aligns with the Adventist worldview and the expectations of the community.