Teaching Kids Art Through Picture Books

With Storygalorey in person classes starting up last week, I wanted to give you a sneak peak into the artists we will be getting to know this year in case you wanted to read about them at home with your kids. Most of these artists are very well known, like Van Gogh, Picasso, and Monet. But while some recognize the art, many don't know about the artist or how the art came to be. Reading picture books is a great way to enrich your kids' art education.

I have more suggestions than we have time to read at Storygalorey, so whether or not your kids are able to participate this fall, you can enjoy reading with them and see their creativity take off. I sent this booklist a few years ago. I'll add a few new additions, too...good books are always appearing! 
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Here are a few more to add to your list: (Amazon associate links)

Breaking Waves: Winslow Homer Paints the Sea by Robert Burleigh and Wendell Minor-this one made me want to board a plane and immediately take a trip to Maine...

When my kids were little, I was always trying to introduce them to compelling stories that would shape their characters. I wanted to find good books to read with them that would ignite their curiosity and form them into leaders with character. 

Enter the picture book biography. Sometimes these books are overviews of people and what they accomplished; sometimes these are a short story of something interesting about their lives, but always the writing and the illustrations draw a child into meeting someone new they may or may not have encountered before. Reading these books together helps stimulate new thoughts and discussions between you and your kids. After reading about these interesting people, ask your kids:

• Why did the person make the decisions they did?
• When did they have to show perseverance?
• How did growing up the way they did influence their later life?
• How have their lives changed the world?
• What do YOU want to do to change the world?

Want some new reading ideas ...