Welcome back to Bookstr’s Three to Read Jr.! In this series, we’re exploring three must-read books for young readers — one for early readers, one for elementary readers, and one for middle-grade readers. In honor of January being Creativity Month, this week’s theme is children’s books that encourage artistic creativity and self-expression.
EARLY READERS
Time to Make Art by Jeff Mack
SYNOPSIS:
A young child, wearing a purple beret and accompanied by a curious orange cat, declares it is “time to make art!” Picking up a paint palette and brush, the child pauses and ponders — what is art? Does it have to be perfect, like the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel? Michelangelo himself answers that question, assuring the youngster that they can make art however they want; “That’s what I call perfect!” With each new question on the nature of art and the creative process — What materials should be used? What colors? Can you make mistakes? Does it need to look “real”? — a new artist from history appears to offer answers and encouragement, finally inspiring the child to start their own masterpiece.
WHY:
The adorable childlike artwork of Mack on the cover of Time to Make Art cleverly belies the true depth of the conversation on the history, practice, and philosophy of art that awaits. Mack’s imagined conversations between the young protagonist and the historical artists encountered delve into aspects of creativity and visual expression that art lovers and makers of all ages can relate to: Is realistic art “better” than the abstract? Is there a “correct” way to paint, sculpt, or carve? How should art make you feel? The answers of the artists — who range in origin across time and space from a prehistoric cave artist and a Teotihuacán stone sculptor to notable names like van Gogh, Kahlo, Haring, and Ofili — are motiving and inspiring. It leaves early readers with the lesson that they should never feel constrained by the imaginary rules of art and opt instead to create from the heart.
ELEMENTARY READER
I Am an Artist by Doro Globus, Illustrated by Rose Blake
SYNOPSIS:
Another charming child protagonist and their animal companion explore the world of art, this time from a slightly less philosophical and more practical perspective. Taking place within the framework of the child and their pet dog touring an artists’ studio complex, Kit and their adult caregiver, Violet, stop in each studio to visit with visual artists of all kinds, from filmmakers to glassblowers to photographers to textile artists. Each creator gives their title and a brief description of the processes and ideologies that drive their medium, while supplemental text offers terminology for their tools and supplies.
WHY:
While Time to Make Art and I Am an Artist have similar approaches to their subject matter, the latter gives a more in-depth foundational look into the ways that visual artists can create. The vocabulary terms particularly set this title apart, simultaneously introducing words that may be unfamiliar to budding artists — such as “safelight” or “dolly” — while also introducing the concept that everyday items like rocks, pineapples, or a needle and thread can be useful in making beautiful creations. I Am an Artist takes the philosophy of creative freedom and runs with it, giving elementary readers concrete approaches and methods of making art they may not have previously considered and encouraging them to experiment with whatever art forms ignite their creativity.
MIDDLE-GRADE READER
Drawing Deena by Hena Khan
SYNOPSIS:
Seventh-grader Deena is trying to balance a lot right now. In addition to the all-too-familiar struggles of being a preteen girl — such as navigating friendships, social media, and insecurities about her appearance — she’s also facing a silent struggle with the crushing anxiety that seems to grow worse every day. She wakes up nauseated every morning and even cracks a tooth from grinding her jaw, something that requires a pricey mouthguard for her already cash-strapped family. She decides to take a more active role in her family’s finances, utilizing her art skills to promote her mother’s struggling desi fashion business, but this seems only to lead to more stress and turmoil. How can Deena find the help she needs for her anxiety and her artistic voice at the same time?
WHY:
A more personal narrative than the previous two titles, Drawing Deena is no less effective at exploring what exists inside the soul of artistic self-expression and how creativity can often be the language artists feel most comfortable using to process their own thoughts and experiences. Deena is a genuine, clever, and relatable protagonist that so many middle-grade readers — especially in the AAPI community — will see themselves in, and her mental health struggles are written with an intensity that makes them feel authentic to those who have been through something similar. The story deftly tackles themes of family relationships and the pressures of adolescence but at its core is a tale of discovering one’s creative voice via artistic expression, even using it — in conjunction with other support systems — to work through what we are seeing, feeling, and learning as we grow and change and let out the big feelings we have inside.
That’s it for this week’s Three to Read Jr.! We hope you’ll join us in future installments to see more of our recommendations for young bookworms. Happy reading!
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Browse these books and more reads handpicked by the Bookstr team on our Three to Read bookshelf on Bookshop!
