Summer~time = Art~time

now … let’s sprinkle A LOT of art in these long summer days!

For several years I had the privilege of being a preschool art teacher. Those little artists made me an artist ~ a story I have shared before and am sure that I will share it again … but let’s save that for a later date!

In my green polka dot, preschool art room, many of my art projects were dreamed up and launched from children’s books. I learned quickly that words, so beautifully and thoughtfully written by amazing authors, gave our art projects a bit more personality. The children were quick to make their own stories from their artwork, and the art room became a bit more chatty, as my little artists put more story into their masterpieces (music to my ears!) They began to learn the relationship between art and story ~ between color and feeling ~ between thought and possibility. Books seemed to effortlessly deepen their interest and skyrocket their creativity. It was a beautiful thing to witness.

So today, I want to share with you my most loved children’s art books that will seamlessly lead to amazing art projects, and priceless time together. So, dive into these books with your children and let’s create art that is inspired by these words and stories! Enjoy!

~Little Green Peas … by Keith Baker

~Beautiful Oops! … by Barney Saltzberg

~Mouse Paint … by Ellen Stoll Walsh

~Henri’s Scissors … by Jeanette Winter

~Louise Loves Art … by Kelly Light

~ and we will end with my all time favorite ~ Why Is Blue Dog Blue? … By George Rodrigue

Over the next few weeks we will be making art that is perfectly paired to each one of these books! We will take one book each week, and enjoy a step-by-step guided art project that will beautifully mimic the words and themes of the books.

These are some of my favorite, tried and true projects that we created together in the preschool art room … and they were magical … trust me on this one! I know you will enjoy spending your sun-filled, summer days with these books, topped off with an art project that you, your children, and your family will all enjoy! These art projects will be available to paid subscribers, and I hope that you will join in on the fun!

Visit your local library, or local corner book store and load up on these books (your children and your bookshelves will love you for it!) and let’s meet back here next week and make beautiful art based on our first book Little Green Peas which is an amazing place to start … even for our littlest of artists!

Ain’t summer grand?!?