A Picture Book is Worth a Thousand Words…Art Edition
Written by: Jen Stewart
The people have spoken (actually one person spoke) and requested more picture books, so naturally I’m happy to oblige! This time I’m going to venture into the art world. As a disclaimer, I am not an art teacher or an artist. As a matter of fact, a fifth grader recently told me I drew “the absolute worst stick figure” he’s ever seen. I appreciate art, and I love a good picture book, so hopefully I can share some books you can find some use for in your classroom, or just to enjoy!
Picture Books about Artists:
Painter of Polka Dots Yayoi Kasuma by Young-Ji Cho Japanese artist Yayoi Kasuma uses her art to find freedom from her fears and to express all of the visions running through her head. Want to know more? Head to this page at Tate Kids. Suggestion for use:
The Noisy Paint Box; The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky’s Abstract Art by Barb Rosenstock This colorful storybook tells the story of Vasily Kandinsky who didn’t just see colors, he heard them. Thought to have had a condition called synesthesia, Kandinsky’s bold works are what makes him one of the pioneers of abstract art. Suggestions for use:
- Hear one of Kandinsky’s works:
- Create a Kandinsky Circle Masterpiece First, learn about color in art: Next, listen to some music and create some Kandinsky circles.
Action Jackson by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan This book is an interesting look at Jackson Pollock’s creative process, which he called “energy and motion made visible.” Suggestions for use:
- Paint Like Pollock
- Flick painting:
- Painting with Spheros: (My ABSOLUTE FAVORITE!)
- When you look at the tables in your classroom after a project and wonder if you could sell them to a gallery as art.
Books about Art:
ABCs of Art by Sabrina Hahn This is a rhyming alphabet book that introduces art to the youngest of readers. Suggestions for use:
Opposites Abstract by Mo Willems (Is there anything this guy can’t do?) This book (without elephants or pigeons) introduces readers to concepts in art, focusing on, of course, opposites. There are some interesting pairings like inclusive/exclusive, mechanical/organic, and intentional/accidental. Suggestions for use:
- Opposites Day (Apparently this is a thing. Don’t tell my students it’s real.)
- Choose a pair of opposite words and illustrate them according to meaning.
- The book asks the question “Is this…” about each set of words. Write a paragraph explaining why it is or isn’t. Use evidence to support your answer.
Books to read before you go to an art museum:
Anna at the Art Museum by Hazel Hutchins and Gail Herbert
Mayhem at the Museum, a Book in Pictures illustrated by Luciano Lozano
Imagine! Written and illustrated by Raul Colon
Read these with your students before a trip to a museum to help them with expectations for visiting the museum. DISCLAIMER: I am the absolute worst at accidentally setting off alarms in art museums. Every. Time.
If you can’t take your kids out of the building, you can take them on a virtual tour:
- The Louvre
- The Met
- The Van Gogh Museum
- Google Arts and Culture ALL THE THINGS!
If my polka dots and paint splatters aren’t what you are looking for, there are so many amazing art picture books out there for you and your students. I couldn’t believe the selection and the quality of the books that are available to get the creativity going! Find the art and artists that match your students interests and identities. Introduce them to someone new. Let them try something different. This blog has inspired me to spend some time with my old museum book friends Claudia, Jamie, and Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, so I’ll leave you with this:
“To practice any art, no matter how well or how badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake. So do it.” – Kurt Vonnegut
Resources
Please login or register to claim PGPs.
Alternatively, you may use the PGP Request Form if you prefer to not register an account.
