Art Books for Kids

Whether your kids get a kick out of looking at beautiful illustrations or love art-focused adventures and mysteries, this list has plenty of "artful" picks. From biographies of artists to kids using art to help them cope with life's challenges, these books offer a wide variety of stories. For more books for kids and teens, check out these lists: Coming-of-Age Books and Biographies.

The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse Poster Image
BOOK

The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse

age 3+

Bold, beautiful book is sure to fire up kids’ creativity.

By: Eric Carle (2011)
Mix It Up! Poster Image
BOOK

Mix It Up!

age 3+

Delightful book reveals the magic of mixing colors.

By: Hervé Tullet (2014)
Not a Box Poster Image
BOOK

Not a Box

age 3+

Bunny uses box to imagine adventures in mind-opening tale.

By: Antoinette Portis (2006)
A Is for ART Poster Image
BOOK

A Is for ART

age 4+

Abstract art + alphabetic alliteration = amazing ABC book.

By: Stephen T. Johnson (2009)
Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade Poster Image
BOOK

Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade

age 4+

Stunning design and story inspires passion for art-making.

By: Melissa Sweet (2011)
Draw! Poster Image
BOOK

Draw!

age 4+

Wildly imaginative wordless book celebrates art and drawing.

By: Raúl Colón (2014)
Emily's Blue Period Poster Image
BOOK

Emily's Blue Period

age 4+

Sensitive story of using art to process difficult emotions.

By: Cathleen Daly (2014)
Imagine! Poster Image
BOOK

Imagine!

age 4+

Wordless book celebrates art with magical trip to museum.

By: Raúl Colón (2018)
Viva Frida Poster Image
BOOK

Viva Frida

age 4+

Exuberant portrayal of artist's passion for art.

By: Yuyi Morales (2014)
Antsy Ansel: Ansel Adams, a Life in Nature Poster Image
BOOK

Antsy Ansel: Ansel Adams, a Life in Nature

age 5+

Artful, relatable bio offers intro to photographer's work.

I Gotta Draw Poster Image
BOOK

I Gotta Draw

age 5+

Triumphant tale of artistic misfit and creative teacher.

By: Bruce Degen (2012)
Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing Poster Image
BOOK

Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing

age 5+

Joyous biography of artist celebrates creativity.

By: Kay A. Haring (2017)
Museum Trip Poster Image
BOOK

Museum Trip

age 5+

Boy dives into mazes in wordless, imaginative adventure.

By: Barbara Lehman (2006)
Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave Poster Image
BOOK

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave

age 6+

Award-winning historical story told in free verse.

By: Laban Carrick Hill (2010)
Diego Poster Image
BOOK

Diego

age 6+

Bilingual text and mini-murals illustrate Rivera's story.

By: Jonah Winter (2007)
Linnea in Monet's Garden Poster Image
BOOK

Linnea in Monet's Garden

age 6+

Wonderful intro to art and Monet through a kid's eyes.

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat Poster Image
BOOK

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat

age 6+

Exuberant bio celebrates artist who had success when young.

By: Javaka Steptoe (2016)
Dr. Seuss's Horse Museum Poster Image
BOOK

Dr. Seuss's Horse Museum

age 7+

Horse guides kids on fun trip through art history.

By: Dr. Seuss (2019)
The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain Poster Image
BOOK

The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain

age 8+

Award-winning memoir shows artistic kid's view of Cold War.

By: Peter Sis (2007)
Amelia's Easy-as-Pie Drawing Guide Poster Image
BOOK

Amelia's Easy-as-Pie Drawing Guide

age 9+

Amelia gives tips on how to draw doodles.

By: Marissa Moss (2000)