Children’s Books That Inspire Creativity

Sometimes mistakes can create great art! Beautiful Oops is a humorous, graphically appealing book on how mistakes can be great chances in the creative process. The companion book, My Beautiful Oops, is a hands-on journal books meant to be torn, folded, smudged, and otherwise mutilated.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Faces

“Look around you – FACES are everywhere,” the book adds. Zoe Miller and David Goodman demonstrate that with a little imagination and a fresh perspective, one can discern faces in blocks, paint smudges, and gloves. Kids should be encouraged to think creatively and imagine.

The Dot

Vashti can’t draw, thus her paper is blank after art class. Vashti learns to draw with gentle encouragement from her teacher and a willingness to improve, and she even helps another student overcome his pessimism.

Ish

Ramon likes drawing anytime, anywhere. But when his older brother Leon makes fun of Ramon’s work, painting loses its appeal. Ramon’s younger sister Marisol helps him understand that art is more than making things “just right”. A good story for kids who doubt their artistic abilities.

The Art Book for Children and Book 2

These books are a great introduction to art history and educate students how to look at art, question art, and realize that art tells a narrative. Each snapshot or print of a work of art has a brief explanation for youngsters.

Colorful Dreamer

Colorful Dreamer follows Henri Matisse’s attempt to become a great artist. Henri was a dreamer with no future as a boy. And as he painted, his parents had little hope for him. With his travels and enthusiasm for art, more people noticed. Henri started making art from colored paper cutouts when he was sick and couldn’t paint. This story illustrates perseverance pays off.

I Painted Everything!

Hugo is uninspired because he’s painted everything and doesn’t know what to paint next. Hugo visits Paris and its museums with his friend Miles and learns that he can discover inspiration by looking at things differently. In addition to famous art, this book discusses the creative process and artists’ challenges.

Seeing Pictures

Looking at Pictures is an intro-to-art history book for kids. This book, written for youngsters yet packed with knowledge, explores art’s hidden meanings, color use, and many sorts of paintings like portraits, still life, and landscapes.