Inspiring stories to awaken your children's artistic curiosity
Inviting art into children's lives is a golden opportunity to develop their creativity, curiosity, self-esteem, and understanding of the diversity of the world around them. And what better way to introduce art and awaken their creativity from an early age than through books?
Indeed, reading books about art allows children to learn new artistic terms, understand different styles and artistic movements, and discover famous artists. But most importantly, these books stimulate their imagination and help them find ideas for their own creations.
As a bonus, books about art allow children to discover artworks from different countries, cultures, and periods, showing them that art is universal and that everyone can find their place in it.
And because artistic creation is a continuous process, reading books about art also helps children understand that perseverance is key to becoming a accomplished artist.
In short, it allows them to better understand their own emotions and feelings towards creation, and develop their artistic sensitivity.
So here are some of our favorites :
For youg children :
"Mix It Up!" by Hervé Tullet is a children's book that invites children to explore the world of colors in a playful and interactive way. Through pages filled with shapes and spots of bright colors, children are invited to participate actively by touching, shaking and sliding their fingers on the pages to create different color combinations.
The book uses simple instructions to encourage children's imagination and creativity. This little masterpiece is designed to inspire children to play with colors and experiment with different artistic techniques.
"Mix It Up!" is an ideal book for young children, from the age of 2, who are starting to discover colors and develop their creativity.
It is also perfect for parents and teachers looking for creative and fun activities for children
Credits : chroniclebooks.com
For 3-5 years olds :
"Art & Max" written and illustrated by David Wiesner, published in 2010, is a fun and creative story about two lizards, Art and Max, who embark on an artistic adventure.
Art is an experienced and talented lizard who creates realistic and detailed paintings. Max, on the other hand, is an enthusiastic and beginner lizard who wants to learn how to create art.
The two lizards go out into the desert to paint together, but things don't go as planned.
The book encourages creativity and artistic expression, as well as collaboration and tolerance towards other styles of art. Wiesner's beautiful and detailed illustrations transport readers into an imaginary world and stimulate their curiosity and creativity.
For 4-8 years olds :
"What Do You Do With An Idea" by Kobi Yamada is a children's book that explores ideas and creativity. The story follows a young boy who has an unusual idea and doesn't know what to do with it. At first, he hesitates to share his idea with others, but he eventually realizes that by sharing his idea, he can make it grow and bring it to life.
The book touches on themes such as self-confidence, perseverance, and the importance of sharing one's ideas with others. The illustrations are beautiful and add an extra dimension to the story.
"What Do You Do With An Idea" is a book that can inspire children (and adults) to explore their own creativity and dare to share their ideas with the world.
"The Dot" is a children's book written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. The story follows a young girl named Vashti who, during an art class at school, is unable to draw anything on her blank sheet of paper. Her teacher tells her to simply make a dot and sign it. Vashti does so, but the next day, she sees that her dot has been framed and hung on the wall of her classroom. This encourages her to continue drawing dots, exploring different colors, sizes, and shapes, and ultimately becoming a successful artist.
The book encourages children not to be afraid of making mistakes and to explore their creativity. It also shows how encouragement and small sparks of self-confidence can lead to important accomplishments. "The Dot" is recommended for children aged 4 to 8, but can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages.
For 6-10 years olds :
"The Secret of Zara" written by Fred Bernard and illustrated by Benjamin Flao. The book tells the story of Zara, who has a burning passion for drawing and painting, which she pursues with unwavering fervor, no matter the place or medium. Unfortunately, this devouring passion eventually annoys her parents, who decide to deprive her of her tools of expression. It is an unfair punishment for the little girl, but like life, art always finds a way to express itself.
The book is beautifully illustrated, with expressive drawings that perfectly illustrate the story. The style is both realistic and fantastic, and the colors are vibrant and lively.
In short, "The Secret of Zara" is a book that encourages children to follow their passion, explore their own creativity, and find their own path in the world of art. It is an inspiring story that will appeal to young artists and anyone who loves art and creativity.
These stories are an excellent way to introduce children to visual art and creativity while entertaining them.
So, don't hesitate to integrate art books into your kids' library and give them the opportunity to flourish through creation from a young age!
Elise Charette
Art Passionate and former visual and multimedia arts teacher
Founder and President of Lalita's Art Shop
Thank you! This is very helpful 🤩
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