Elementary:
The Dot
By Peter Reynolds
Her teacher smiled. “Just make a mark and see where it takes you.”
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 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 Peter H. Reynolds’s delicate fable about the creative spirit in all of us.
Online Read aloud:
Ish
By Peter Reynolds
Ramon loved to draw. Anytime. Anything. Anywhere.
Drawing is what Ramon does. It’s what makes him happy. But in one split second, all that changes. A single reckless remark by Ramon’s older brother, Leon, turns Ramon’s carefree sketches into joyless struggles. Luckily for Ramon, though, his little sister, Marisol, sees the world differently. She opens his eyes to something a lot more valuable than getting things just “right.” Combining the spareness of fable with the potency of parable, Peter Reynolds shines a bright beam of light on the need to kindle and tend our creative flames with care.
Read aloud online: https://youtu.be/QKuXo5cIRtI
Join Peter Reynold’s International Dot Day on Sept 15thish…
I’m NOT just a Scribble…
By Diane Alber
Scribble, the book’s main character, never thought he was different until he met his first drawing. Then, After being left out because he didn’t look like everyone else. Scribble teaches the drawings how to accept each other for who they are. Which enables them to create amazing art.
This book not only has illustrations that any child can personally recognize but it also addresses inclusion without boundaries so that anyone can relate to it. Each book comes with 100 stickers so that children can create their very own Scribble. They will be able to learn different emotions (that were discussed in the book) as well as assoicate colors with feelings in a fun creatvie way.
Scribble Stones Art Guide: Step by Step Painting Techniques and Tricks
By Diane Alber
Scribble Stones Art Guide is a fun craft book that gives step by step illustrated directions for decorating your Scribble Stones. It’s intended to teach fun techniques and tips to help spark creativity.
Share Your Rainbow: 18 Artists Draw Their Hope for the Future
Inspired by kids across the country displaying rainbows in their windows, acclaimed illustrators come together to imagine everything these rainbows represent: caring for one another, and our hopes for the future. In this collection of eighteen scenes, readers will lick an ice cream cone, swim in the ocean, cuddle close with cousins, and celebrate a birthday with a party full of friends and family. Each spread has a hidden rainbow for kids to find!
An introduction by R. J. Palacio, New York Times bestselling author of Wonder, reminds us that rainbows have always been symbols of hope, and that as fleeting as a rainbow may seem, we can always look for the next one–in the sky, on the sidewalk, and in a window.
100% of net proceeds from the sale of this book will go to World Central Kitchen, using the power of food to help our communities weather this storm.
Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood
by F. Isabel Campoy (Author), Theresa Howell (Author), Rafael López (Illustrator)
What good can a splash of color do in a community of gray? As Mira and her neighbors discover, more than you might ever imagine! Based on the true story of the Urban Art Trail in San Diego, California, Maybe Something Beautiful reveals how art can inspire transformation—and how even the smallest artists can accomplish something big. Pick up a paintbrush and join the celebration!
The Schmillustrator’s Coloring Book: A Book of Poems for Coloring
by Geoff Schmidt
The Schmillustrator’s Coloring Book is a collection of more than thirty goofy poems in the spirit of Shel Silverstein, accompanied by equally goofy and detailed illustrations to color. Perfect for kids and adults, boys and girls, dogs and cats, heroes and villains, and everyone in between.
Great Art in 30 Seconds: 30 awesome art topics for curious kids
by Wesley Robins & Susie Hodge
Everything you ever wanted to know about great art in just 30 seconds!
Jam-packed with fast facts, mini missions, and engaging artwork, this informative book takes kids on an exciting tour of some of the most famous art movements, artists and works of art from prehistoric to the 21st century.
From ancient civilizations to modern art, 30 fascinating topics are covered in 30-seconds summaries, 3-second soundbites, and 3-minute active missions making this the perfect book for youngsters interested in art!
Drawing Videos or Advice from Famous Illustrators:
LUNCH DOODLES with Mo Willems!
Mo Willems is an American writer, animator, voice actor, and children’s book author. His work includes creating the animated television series Sheep in the Big City for Cartoon Network, working on Sesame Street and The Off-Beats, and creating the popular children’s book series Elephant and Piggie
How Do You Make a Graphic Novel (and, Why Do They Take So Long?)
Raina Telgemeier – is the author and illustrator of the graphic novels Smile, Drama, Sisters, Ghosts, and Guts, all #1 New York Times bestsellers. She also adapted and illustrated four graphic novel versions of Ann M. Martin’s Baby-Sitters Club series
Ready Set Draw-ish!
Peter H. Reynolds
Born in Toronto, Canada, Peter H. Reynolds is an accomplished writer, storyteller and illustrator who has been acclaimed around the globe for his best-selling “stories for all ages” about protecting and nurturing the creative spirit, including the three books in his “Creatrilogy” – The Dot, Ish and Sky Color.
Making Comics with Victoria Jamieson
Victoria Jamieson is an American author and illustrator of children’s books, known for Roller Girl, a graphic novel about roller derby. When Stars Are Scattered, co-authored with Omar Mohamed, was shortlisted for the 2020 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature
Middle School/High School
Wreck This Journal
By Keri Smith
For anyone who’s ever wished to, but had trouble starting, keeping, or finishing a journal or sketchbook comes Wreck This Journal, an illustrated book that features a subversive collection of prompts, asking readers to muster up their best mistake- and mess-making abilities to fill the pages of the book (and destroy them). Acclaimed illustrator Keri Smith encourages journalers to engage in “destructive” acts-poking holes through pages, adding photos and defacing them, painting with coffee, and more-in order to experience the true creative process. Readers discover a new way of art and journal making-and new ways to escape the fear of the blank page and fully engage in the creative process.
365 Days of Art: A Creative Exercise for Every Day of the Year
by Lorna Scobie (Illustrator)
365 Days of Art is an inspiring journal designed to help readers and budding artists nurture their creativity and explore their feelings through the medium of art. Featuring an activity for every day of the year, from simple tasks like drawing shapes and lines, to more mindful exercises like coloring-in, painting with primary colors, and drawing what you see. With beautiful, vibrant hand-lettering and watercolor illustrations, the book pairs inspiring quotes with supportive prompts and exercises to spark reflection through your drawing, writing, painting and more.
Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels
by Scott McCloud
In Making Comics, McCloud focuses his analysis on the art form itself, exploring the creation of comics, from the broadest principles to the sharpest details (like how to accentuate a character’s facial muscles in order to form the emotion of disgust rather than the emotion of surprise.) And he does all of it in his inimitable voice and through his cartoon stand–in narrator, mixing dry humor and legitimate instruction. McCloud shows his reader how to master the human condition through word and image in a brilliantly minimalistic way. Both comic book devotees and the uninitiated will marvel at this journey into a once–underappreciated art form.
Vincent and Theo
By Deborah Heiligman
The deep and enduring friendship between Vincent and Theo Van Gogh shaped both brothers’ lives. Confidant, champion, sympathizer, friend―Theo supported Vincent as he struggled to find his path in life. They shared everything, swapping stories of lovers and friends, successes and disappointments, dreams and ambitions. Meticulously researched, drawing on the 658 letters Vincent wrote to Theo during his lifetime, Deborah Heiligman weaves a tale of two lives intertwined and the extraordinary love of the Van Gogh brothers.
Starfish
by Akemi Dawn Bowman
Kiko Himura has a hard time saying exactly what she’s thinking, so she prefers to say it with her art. She feels isolated from her mother who doesn’t understand her, and wishes she better knew her Japanese heritage. All she wants is get into her dream art school, Prism, but when she isn’t accepted, she’s crushed. But then, Kiko is invited to tour art schools on the west coast by her childhood friend. Kiko jumps at the opportunity, and soon learns that she can be her own person outside of the constricting walls of her home life. In addition, Kiko is inspired more than ever before, and finds that her art is best when she’s challenging herself, and accepting herself, flaws and all. This novel will inspire you to find yourself, to take risks, and to do the best art that you are capable of creating.
DRAW THE LINE
BY LAURENT LINN
Adrian Piper is a talented artist, but he prefers to stay in the background. He’s a sci-fi geek, and gay, and he fears that at his Texas high school, those things will only bring the worst kind of attention. Adrian uses art as an escape, and truly feels free to express himself at his drawing table, crafting a secret world through his own Renaissance-art-inspired superhero Graphite. But when a hate crime flips his world upside down, Adrian must decide what kind of person he wants to be, and if he’s okay staying in the background. Draw the Line will inspire you to use your art to express yourself, but more so, it will show you the power of art and free expression, and how it can used to create real change.
