I’ve been on a bit of a creative quest lately to find inspiring picture books. My children are well past the picture book stage but I can’t seem to stay away from them. Thank heavens I still have an audience of little ones in my art class.
I happened across We All Went on Safari
Visit Laurie Kreb’s website for a listing of all her books, many with similar styles.
Julia Cairns website features her amazing illustrations…you really need to check them out. Simply stunning!
What makes a picture book work in the art room?
I love incorporating great visuals with art lessons but not any book will do.
- The text can’t be too dense. As much as I love picture books, I teach art so if a book takes too long to read, I can’t use it. Of course, if the pictures are glorious, I will skip the text and talk just about the illustrations. Sorry authors!
- I look for the illustrations to be approachable for my students. Often we will try and imitate the illustrator so the more child-like the drawings are, the better.
- For non-fiction books about famous artists, I prefer narrative non-fiction to a biography. Often this format provides a closer connection to the artist for the child. The perfect ones have dialogue as well as pictures that feature images that inspire the artist.
What do you look for in a picture book?
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I LOVE THIS BOOK!
Just had to agree!!
I love stories that bring the elements of art to life for small children. Stories that are rich with color, movement and animated characters seem to always capture a child’s attention. Who Said Giraffes Can’t Dance is my all time favorite. I teach in a private school and have many four and five year old students. I begin many lessons with a story, it provides a nice transition for the students who at such a young age often need a quiet activity before moving on to production time.
Have you seen the book “Why Mosquitos Buzz In Peoples Ears”. It has amazing illustrations in it.
No I haven’t even heard of it. Googling it now!
I love this book and have been reading it to my first graders for the past 4 weeks as our classes switch for a social studies unit. My continent is Africa and I always wrap up the session by reading this great counting book.
Look forward to seeing your Maasai drawings. You should check out Wangari: light text, great story and pictures. She the Nobel peace prize winner for planting trees in Kenya.
Wangari is a beautiful book! I’m working on creating a lesson for it. This book is also beautiful, Patty! Thanks for sharing!
These are a few of my faves to teach with. Forgot to add that part!
-Pete the Cat (I love my White Shoes)—SOOOO fun and now we are making animals wearing shoes. There will be a small writing element with this project.
-The Dot and Ish by Peter H. Reynolds
-Anything Eric Carle
-There’s a Wocket in my Pocket and One Fish, Two Fish… by Dr. Suess
There are tons!
I also use books in my lower elementary classes very often. It really helps tie in the lesson and keeps the small ones busy for the entire art class!
I still LOVE your blog and you inspired me often!
Great choices. Love all these too!
I just ordered this book for my class. I love the illustrations!
I’m glad you’re getting it. I know you will love it!
Great ideas. I love Oliver Jeffers books, they have beautiful illustrations and and stories that can be read on many different levels. Check out this website for cute ‘how to draw’ ideas from Oliver Jeffers and other illustrators http://www.guardian.co.uk/childrens-books-site/gallery/2011/jun/27/how-to-draw-penguins-oliver-jeffers.