Inspiring Books for Budding Artists of All Ages

Mix it Up, by Hervé Tullet
Mr. Tullet understands that for the youngest readers, learning is a hands-on exploratory experience. In this interactive book, he introduces children to primary colors, and what happens when those colors are mixed. Children are invited to touch, swirl, dab and experiment, “mixing” the original dots of red, yellow, and blue paint into brand new creations.

Beautiful Oops, by Barney Saltzberg
Anyone who has worked with young artists (and yes, maybe older artists, too), has seen the frustration a child experiences when mistakes are made. Beautiful Oops encourages children to embrace those mistakes, turning them into something creative and new. Spills, tears, crumples, stains…all can be turned into works of art with a little imagination. And imagination is something Barney Salzberg has in abundance.

Ish, by Peter H. Reynolds
In his classic, heart-tugging style, Peter Reynolds tells the story of Ramon, whose passion for drawing leads him to draw anytime, anywhere (including on the toilet)…until the day Ramon’s brother laughs at one of his drawings and shatters his self-confidence. From then on, Ramon just can’t seem to draw anything right, and the crumpled papers pile up. It takes a surprising discovery and some words of encouragement before Ramon realizes that sometimes ‘-ish’ is even better than perfection.

Artist to Artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children About Their Art, by The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
What better gift for a child than the chance to sit down with an illustrator idol? While that may be tough to coordinate in person, the next best thing is this anthology, featuring such well-known artists as Quentin Blake (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Tomie dePaola (Strega Nona), Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are), Chris Van Allsburg (The Polar Express), and Rosemary Wells (Max and Ruby). Written in an informal tone, each artist speaks about his or her inspirations, process, and artwork secrets. Additional pages also include photographs of their work, studios, and even a self-portrait of each artist.

A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin, by Jen Bryant and Melissa Sweet
More than just the tale of a little boy who loved to draw anything and everything, A Splash of Red is also a story of perseverance. Besides being self-taught, Horace Pippin suffered an injury during WWI that should have spelled the end of any artistic dreams he might have had. But it didn’t, and while maybe not as well known as some of his contemporaries, Bryant and Sweet have made sure his story is not forgotten in this multiple award-winning picture book.

The Noisy Paintbox: The Colors and Sounds of Kadinsky’s Abstract Art, by Barb Rosenstock and Mary Grandpré
Moscow-born Vasya (Wassily) Kandinsky led a fairly normal life, full of piano lessons, school, and reminders to mind his manners. But when an aunt gives him a paint box, Vasya discovers not only can he see the colors, he can hear them (a phenomenon known as synesthesia). And those colors aren’t quiet. They are noisy, and vibrant, and beautiful, grabbing hold of Vasya and leading him into a role in the abstract art movement.

Viva Frida, by Yuyi Morales and Tim O’Meara
Written in both Spanish and English, with sparse, lyrical text, this 2015 Caldecott Honor book tells the story of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. Kahlo’s whimsical, eccentric nature is captured in O’Meara’s own artist-inpsired creations. The whole book has a dream-like quality, almost as if the reader is in the mind of Kahlo herself, and a more detailed biography is included in the back of the book.

The Iridescence of Birds: A Book About Henri Matisse, by Patricia MacLachlan and Hadley Hooper
“If you were a boy named Henri Matisse….” And so MacLachlan begins a pondering (one which consists of a single sentence stretched across the entirety of the book) of what it might have been like to view the world through the eyes of a young Henri Matisse. Loosely plotted, but rich in language, the text flows across Matisse-inspired illustrations that both tell a story, and evoke the dreamings of a young boy.

Pieces and Players, by Blue Balliett
Author Blue Balliett has a love of both art and a good mystery, and she weaves these passions into her novels. In her latest, Pieces and Players, 13 pieces of very valuable art have been stolen from museums all around the world. Bringing together characters from several of her novels, Balliett’s team of eighth grade mystery hunters set out to solve the crime (bringing the reader right along with them). Using literary references, prime numbers, and a little paranormal help, this team is sure to crack the code.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, by E. L. Konigsburg
It had to be done. No list for aspiring artists can leave off Konigsburg’s iconic tale of Claudia and Jamie Kincaid. After running away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (because if you’re going to run away, why not run to one of the most beautiful, elegant places on earth?), the two siblings find themselves wrapped up in a mystery surrounding an angel statue that may or may not be a work of the great Michelangelo. Their sleuthing leads them to Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, who agrees to tell them all she knows about the statue…but only after she gets the answers to a few questions of her own.
What books does your budding artist love?