Here are some of my favorite art books for kids. All of these books are about artists so they are a great way to introduce students to the work of famous artists and provide a little inspiration too! Books for younger readers are first, with a few books for upper elementary and middle school students at the end.
Elementary Books Best for K-3
Art is Everywhere: A Book About Andy Warhol
By Jeff Mack
Andy Warhol made art from everyday objects, which should be inspiring to kids who don’t know what to be inspired by.
by Jeanette Winter
The story of Georgia O’Keeffe’s life and how she became one of America’s most successful painters.
by Jeanette Winter
The story of Henri Matisse including how he made some of his most famous artworks using paper cutouts after being confined to a wheel chair later in his life.
Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
by Jeanne Walker Harvey
The story of Alma Thomas including her teaching career, activism, and finally how her art was inspired by the colors she saw around her in nature.
Just Being Dali: The Story of Artist Salvador Dali
by Amy Guglielmo, Illustrated by Brett Helquist
Salvador Dali’s story involves a lot of outlandish tales and the development of his unique artistic approach, while giving the kids the message that it’s allright to be yourself.
Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos
by Monica Brown, Illustrated by John Parra
The story of how Frida Kahlo’s exotic and beloved pets including monkeys, turkeys, a parrot, eagle and a fawn inspired her art as well as her life.
Yayoi Kusama Covered Everything in Dots and Wasn’t Sorry
by Fausto Gilberti
The true story of one of the most important contemporary Japanese artists of our time and the development of her dot inspired art.
Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing
by Kay A. Haring, Illustrated by Robert Neubecker
The story of how Keith Haring learned to draw as a child and never stopped, eventually drawing on everything from his school work to walls, sidewalks and subway stations.
by Christina Björk and Lena Anderson
More Advanced Books Best for Grades 3-7
Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring
by Angela Cervantes
A young girl wants to honor her father by returning a priceless piece of jewelry that once belonged to his favorite artist, Frida Kahlo.
by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
The story of an adventurous girl exploring the Renaissance world alongside Leonardo da Vinci, and seeing art masters creating the some of the World’s most famous art.
by Blue Balliett, Illustrations by Brett Helmquist
When a valuable Vermeer painting disappears, two children find themselves at the center of an international art scandal and must use their wits and knowledge of Johannes Vermeer to solve the mystery.
Happy reading! – Trista
If you liked this post about art books for kids, please subscribe by clicking here.
Related Post: Art Movies for the Classroom