Are you looking for literature to support classroom instruction about Art? Check out Our Editors’ Choices for titles recommended by the Education World team. Then it's your turn to share books that you enjoy or use in your classroom in the Our Readers’ Voices section below. With your help, we will build the best list on the Internet of Best Books for teaching about Art.
Katie and The Mona Lisa
by James Mayhew
This is the fourth book in which Katie visits a museum with her grandmother. This time, while Grandma is resting, the little girl admires the Mona Lisa. She wonders aloud what it is that makes her smile. "Then come inside, bambina!" beckons the painted lady. When she does, Katie discovers that Mona Lisa is bored. Together they visit several other famous works from the Italian Renaissance, wreak havoc in the museum by letting characters out of their frames, and learn something about each painting. (School Library Journal)
Katie Meets the Impressionists
by James Mayhew
This British import pays joyful homage to the world of the Impressionists. When Katie and her grandmother visit an art museum to celebrate the elder's birthday, the girl wanders into a gallery where she admires Claude Monet's The Luncheon. With a blink of her eyes, Katie is magically transported into the painting. Lovely watercolors emulate the style of the Impressionists. Not only does this delightful fantasy succeed as art education, but it's a charming story as well. (School Library Journal)
Now It's Your Turn!
We've shared a few Editors' Choices for teaching about this theme. Now it's your turn to contribute to the Readers' Voices section below. Do you have a book related to this theme that you and your students enjoy? Just click here to share it!
Don't miss our Editors’ Choices for Teachers and for Parents. We're waiting for you to add your Readers' Voices there too.
Art for Kids: The Only Cartooning Book You'll Ever Need to Be the Artist You've Always Wanted to Be
by Art Roche
Any child who can make a stick figure can learn to create funny cartoons -- and this enjoyably illustrated guide tells them exactly how. Written by professional cartoonist Art Roche, it gives kids lots of hands-on opportunities to turn their creative ideas into delightfully drawn reality. The emphasis is on doing original illustrations and developing a personal vision, rather than tracing or copying someone else's style; after all, cartooning is a free and fun form, so there's no "wrong" way to draw one.
Oooh! Matisse
by Mil Niepold, Jeanyves Verdu
Bright and playful close-ups of some of Henri Matisse's most celebrated collages encourage children to find the whale in Matisse's dove, the splash of milk in his star, and the rays of sunshine in a blue leaf. Oooh! Matisse turns art appreciation into a game and inspires young readers to see masterpieces in their own way.
The Dot
by Peter H. Reynolds
Art class is over, but Vashti is sitting glued to her chair in front of a blank piece of paper. The words of her teacher ("Just make a mark and see where it takes you.") are a gentle invitation to express herself. But Vashti can't draw - she's no artist. To prove her point, Vashti jabs at a blank sheet of paper to make an unremarkable and angry mark. "There!" she says. That one little dot marks the beginning of Vashti's journey of surprise and self-discovery. That special moment is the core of this award-winning fable about the creative spirit in all of us.
Add your voice to our list of books for teaching about Art!
The Education World Editors’ Choices above represent just a handful of the fine books that might be used to support classroom instruction about Art. Now we’re waiting for you to add to our list! Simply send us your review of a favorite book in 100 words or fewer and we will add it to the Readers’ Choices below.
Art for Kids: The Only Cartooning Book You'll Ever Need to Be the Artist You've Always Wanted to Be
