Art

Art by Patrick McDonnell 2006

The play on words makes this book about Art and his art pulsate with creativity. Art is so intent when he paints, and the joy he experiences while doing so is obvious. He does not hold back, and his imagination is let loose. The culmination comes as the various doodles of art mesh together to illustrate a story about Art’s dream. His mom proudly displays his art on the refrigerator for all to enjoy.

After reading this story, you and your little ones will feel greatly inspired to get out the crafts and make a masterpiece.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Patrick McDonnell on Amazon

G is for One Gzonk!: An Alpha-number-bet Book

G is for Gzonk!: An Alpha-number-bet Book by Tony DiTerlizzi 2006

This book combines numbers and letters of the alphabet with zany creatures that deserve a second and third glance. A young boy introduces us to each strange, but not too scary looking beast while adding finishing touches with his paintbrush. The nonsense that erupts off each page is quite memorable and full of silliness.

Appropriate for ages 4-8

Tony DiTerlizzi on Amazon

Danny's Drawing Book

Danny’s Drawing Book by Sue Heap 2008

Danny and his friend Ettie are exploring the zoo on a winter’s day. They spot a red scarf near where the elephants reside, and begin to draw a story in Danny’s notebook. They escape from the cold into the Nocturnal Animal House, and learn more about an aardvark. The children use their imagination by drawing an encounter between the elephant and the aardvark. The story moves back and forth between the imagined world and the real one. Soon enough Danny draws he and Ettie into the story and the adventure expands.

The childlike drawings from Heap are welcoming, and blur the line between fantasy and reality. As children know, these two worlds can mix quite pleasantly. Reading this story may also encourage children to draw their own adventure.

Appropriate for ages 3-8

Sue Heap on Amazon

It's Picture Day Today!

It’s Picture Day Today! By Megan McDonald, illustrated by Katherine Tillotson 2009

“Sequins, Squiggles, Glittering Stars, Fuzzy Pom-Poms, Twisty Yarns. Couldn’t keep any of them away….Hey, it’s Picture Day today.”

One might assume that this story is about picture day for children at school, but this is not the case. Craft supplies of all shapes and sizes tumble across each page. It might seem like an unlikely mix of objects until glue makes an appearance and everything comes together. Opening up a four-page fold out reveals an arrangement of knickknacks that creatively resemble animals and tiny people. This unique take on picture day will encourage an endearing craft session of your own.

Appropriate for ages 3-5

Megan McDonald on Amazon