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Suggested Reading List
The following books address the arts, or have an arts/cultural-related theme. E-mail us if you have a suggestion for the Reading List. Please include title and author.
For Little Ones
Anna’s Art Adventure
By Bjorn Sortland
Illustrated by Lars Elling
Little Anna meets a cast of modern artists as she searches for the museum’s restroom.
Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions
By Margaret Musgrove
Illustrated by Diane Dillon
This Caldecott Award Winner describes the alphabet through vibrant depictions of the peoples of Africa.
Babar’s Museum of Art
Written and illustrated by Laurent de Brunhoff
Babar and Celeste turn an old train station into a museum filled with their art collection, which features elephants, but is really inspired by real-life paintings and sculptures, from Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” to Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa.”
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
By Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault
Illustrated by Lois Ehlert
This rhyming alphabet book has an unmistakably jazzy rhythm.
A Child’s Garden of Verses
By Robert Louis Stevenson
Illustrated by Tasha Tudor
This classic edition pairs Stevenson’s melancholy poems of childhood with Tudor’s extraordinary illustrations.
The Dot
Written and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
This story imparts an important message to kids about the various ways art can be defined.
Drawing Lessons from a Bear
Written and illustrated by David McPhail
From his earliest scratchings on the floor of his den to his drawings for kings and queens, this down-to-earth bear shares his experiences and guides young readers to follow their dreams.
Harold and the Purple Crayon
Written and illustrated by Crockett Johnson
With his trusty purple crayon, Harold draws his way into and out of many an adventure.
A House for Hermit Crab
Written and illustrated by Eric Carle
A taste for decorating leads Hermit Crab to beautify his home.
Ish
Written and illustrated by Peter Reynolds
A young boy loves to draw, but is disheartened by his older brother’s criticism. His younger sister, however, delights in the “tree-ish,” “flower-ish” and “water-ish” nature of his work.
I Spy: An Alphabet in Art, I Spy Two Eyes: Numbers in Art, I Spy Shapes in Art
By Lucy Micklethwait
In these three books, which function as a great introduction to art appreciation, the author uses great artworks to encourage youngsters to seek out shapes, numbers and letters.
Jake the Philharmonic Dog
By Karen LeFrak
Illustrated by Marcin Baranski
A dog saves the day is this story based on a real live terrier who serves as the mascot of the New York Philharmonic.
Meet the Orchestra
By Ann Hayes
Illustrated by Karmen Thompson
The orchestra’s instrument families and its members are introduced in this well-planned book.
1 is One
Written and illustrated by Tasha Tudor
The simple text and beautiful watercolor illustrations of this Caldecott Honor Book put the focus on counting.
The Philharmonic Gets Dressed
By Karla Kuskin
Illustrated by Marc Simont
Follow the 105 members of the orchestra as they prepare for their evening’s work.
Roberto the Insect Architect
Written and illustrated by Nina Laden
Fantastic collages highlight the efforts of a little termite’s ambition to build.
Rotten Teeth
By Laura Sims
Illustrated by David Catrow
A first grader’s inner storyteller is awakened after bringing in a disgusting item for Show and Tell.
Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin!
By Lloyd Moss
Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
This Caldecott Honor Book is an exuberant tribute to classical music and the musicians who play it.
For Older Kids
The Barefoot Book of Ballet Stories
By Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple
Illustrated by Rebecca Guay
Seven of the world’s best beloved ballets are brought to life.
Fairy Houses
Written and illustrated by Tracy Kane
In a little village on the coast of Maine, children build small houses out of nature’s gifts for the fairies.
Flower Fairies series
Written and illustrated by Cicely Mary Barker
Beautiful, delicate artwork pairs with poems about the various fairy folk who live amongst the flowers and trees.
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Written and illustrated by E.L. Konigsburg
A sister and brother run away from home in this Newberry Award Winner. Their unusual hiding place is New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art where they discover a mysterious statue.
The Hundred Dresses
By Eleanor Estes
Illustrated by Louis Slobodkin
Some of the moral dilemmas of childhood are captured in this Newberry Honor Book, which features the artwork of a maligned girl.
The Trumpet of the Swan
By E.B. White
A voiceless trumpeter swan learns to speak – and much more – with the help of a trumpet.
Where the Sidewalk Ends: Poems & Drawings
Written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein
The author was a genius for reaching kids with silly words and simple pen-and-ink drawings. This collection shook up the staid world of children’s poetry when first published.